<p>If you were OOS, how much was your financial aid package? Can you include details that would affect the amount awarded like your gpa, if independent, and honors. Did you take any additional loans, and could you comment on that process? Thanks.</p>
<p>Unless you score a Banneker/Key merit scholarship, the merit aid will only put a small dent in the cost of attendance (COA) for OOS. Financial aid, on the other hand, is completely based on FAFSA. We had one year where our income was in the toilet. My 2 daughters both got need based aid, but there was still a SIGNIFICANT gap between what the calculator said we could afford to pay (our EFC), the financial aid that the girls got, and the COA. There were other grants available to Maryland residents. UMD is NOT known for its outstanding financial aid or merit aid. (except, of course the Banneker/Key scholarship, which is awesome).</p>
<p>FYI for other transfer applicants. I finally got my financial aid package (I think there was a problem with the process which caused the delay). I am an OOS student and classified as independent. I got the max for the Stafford and a fraction of the annual max for the Perkins loan. I am transferring as a junior.</p>
<p>I think I am going to use Sallie Mae to loan me the rest. I think they have the cheapest rates.</p>
<p>P.S. All of of my credits transferred from NVCC. UMD offers pre-advising. They can tell you what will transfer, how long to graduate, and they can help you pick classes while you are working on your associates. Here is the link:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.transferadvising.umd.edu/[/url]”>http://www.transferadvising.umd.edu/</a></p>
<p>Do you mind telling us your stats? We have very few transfer students that come back and tell us if they were successful. It’s great to know that all your credits transfer! Enjoy life as a Terp!</p>
<p>Astromom, this is a little embarrasing. But, I will do it for you.</p>
<p>I am OOS transfer student. I do not have anything special in my background that would help me get accepted into UMD. Except I think it helps that I am transferring with an associates. I am completing my associates in CS this winter. My current gpa is a 3.48. I currently have an F on my transcript.</p>
<p>Some people have asked if it is possible to get into UMD with bad grades early in their college career. The answer is yes. In my case, I had a 3.75 up until my sophomore year. I followed that up with three F’s. The bad grades were in the most important classes for a CS student (math, physics, CS). I then followed that up with 25 credits of straight A’s. </p>
<p>I explained in my application what were my mitigating circumstances. This is a long story for another day. I started working on the explanation letter about a year ago, and it has been revised at least a dozen times.</p>
<p>I also think my resume helped. It shows that I was given more responsibilities. Spent several years at one company. I have a background in IT, software, and I have worked for NASA. I will probably graduate with a 3.75 gpa. I have to go to class now. I hope this helps someone. Just try even if you are a long shot.</p>
<p>Don’t be embarrassed. Life happens. The important thing is that you moved on. This is great info to have, and it does prove that numbers aren’t everything. You had a strong background to rely on, and obviously you did a great job dealing with your “mitigating circumstances”. Until this, I would have never thought anyone would have had a chance to transfer with college grades that were “blemished” like that. You’ll be an inspiration!!!</p>
<p>I just got more info in regards to cost. I received a transfer scholarship. I think it is based on my grades from the wording on the letter. It is for $5000 per year, for two years. Unfortunately, I am not going to attend UMD. I spoke to the bank and it will cost me too much money.</p>
<p>I am going to attend GMU in the spring. On the bright side, GMU has a good patent law program. Good luck to you all at UMD!</p>
<p>And good luck to you at GMU!!!</p>
<p>Thanks Astromom and have a happy holidays!!!</p>
<p>I reread my scholarship. It was the Presidential Transfer Scholarship. It is an academic and EC award. I am not sure if I provided my EC’s, b/c I didn’t think I was going to get any scholarships. I did provide my EC’s on one of my applications if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>*I helped organize a blood drive, and donated blood for the first time.
*I helped clean a poor elementary school, and raised money to buy flags for all of the nationalities at the school.
*I won Honorable Mention at the science fair my senior year. I discussed how I tried since first grade to win an award, what my project was about, and what I learned from it.
*Packaged food for under-developed countries at a Christian outreach program.</p>
<p>I think that was it.</p>