<p>Hi, I am asking this question for a friend whose parents believe that if she accepts her UMD offer now she will receive more financial aid than she would if she accepts it at a later time such as April 15. Is there any truth to this, or does it not matter when you accept your offer of acceptance?</p>
<p>She needs to call the university and ask. Certain types of aid can run out. However, she might not even be eligible for them in the first place.</p>
<p>the only benefit that the student has is if she pays her housing deposit (which would be refundable if she request it by the school’s deadline- check their website), which will insure her housing in the dorms.</p>
<p>If the student in question has a low EFC, it is in their best interest to apply before the school’s deadline so that she would be in line for FWS, perkins loans, SEOG grants, which are limited funds at most schools.</p>
<p>I don’t fully understand the situation. Aid offers aren’t out for a while - end of February, hopefully - for EA students, later for RD. </p>
<p>The school shouldn’t change the aid offer unless there is some change on the part of the student. For instance, if an estimated FAFSA was filed, then the final version was different and required an adjustment.</p>
<p>What’s critical at Maryland is to APPLY for admission before the priority deadline - Nov. 1. If she has met that deadline then she’s being considered for merit aid.</p>
<p>Maryland doesn’t require a deposit or acceptance in order to get in line for housing. If she wants housing, now is the time to get into that queue.</p>
<p>At any rate, I wouldn’t accept admission until the family SEES the financial aid offer. I would worry that if they signed up and accepted admission prior to that, the college would not be as incentivized to offer merit aid. Don’t have any special knowledge of their processes, that would just be my fear.</p>
<p>Maryland does advise you to get your FAFSA in as close to January 1 as possible for consideration for need-based aid. Again, earlier is better for financial aid applications. If that’s been filed, then I’d say hold tight until they know what the aid situation is going to look like.</p>
<p>The question is about whether accepting the admissions offer will increase aid. The short answer is no. APPLYING early for aid is important. Saying you will attend doesn’t make any difference in most cases. Some schools make it SOUND like you must commit to them ASAP, but you don’t. </p>
<p>As Sybbie noted, paying a housing deposit earlier will likely insure you on campus housing. But it won’t increase your financial aid award.</p>
<p>The opposite could be true. My son was offered more aid in order to entice him to accept. If she accepts now, then they have no incentive to sweeten her deal.</p>