<p>I really liked what I saw. I got to the campus a couple hours early so I went on my own tour, checking out the mall, the Physics and Math buildings, as well as the Stamp. Got through the information session, and as we started on the tour it started to rain, and 15 minutes after that, it started storming, so the tour was called.</p>
<p>Didn't put me off one bit, as I was able to see what I wanted to see (while not really knowing what I wanted to see, if that makes sense) before the tour. It was pretty cool going through the Physics building while there was a class or two going on. I even passed by what looked like a storage closet (spare desks/chairs stacked inside) where there was a half-dozen students working out problems on a chalkboard. Very cool.</p>
<p>I expected the campus to be dead, but there were students here and there. There were a lot of visitors, as I could tell because there were families walking around, as well as a few tours, but once it started drizzling, everyone seemed to clear out. Guess they were more informed than the Admissions office (jk).</p>
<p>I'll be looking into a standalone tour for next Friday to get the full tour in, and what I did see made me that much more interested in going back.</p>
<p>Just got back from my tour, and I was somewhat disappointed, although that is just because we were guided around the areas that I made sure to see before my tour last week. Still excited about applying, and I am looking to have my application in by the Spring Early Decision deadline (August 1).</p>
<p>I have a couple of questions though, that my guide wasn’t able to answer.</p>
<p>I’m currently enrolled in a Maryland CC and my financial aid package was just a Federal Loan and $5000 available through Work Study. This is because last year I left my job due to personal reasons and took out my 401k to go to school, and therefore, in the 3 months I worked (plus my 401k withdrawal) I made way too much and my EFC was too high for Grants.</p>
<p>Now, when I apply at UMD, will my FAFSA (in conjunction with my application essay, explaining my financial situation and my alright High School grades from about 10 years ago) be re-evaluated and will I be able to qualify for Gift aid or anything?</p>
<p>Also, if I was to take advantage of my Work Study, would the maximum of $2500 (one semester, this coming Fall) be enough to decrease any possible aid?</p>
<p>Finally, does anyone know when MTAP notifications go out? I applied May 1, and my application is still just “Submitted”. I won’t have the credits to take advantage of it for Spring (I’ll have 29 credits by the time Fall begins), but it’ll be my backup in case I don’t get in for Spring semester.</p>
<p>I’ll be contacting the Financial Aid department shortly, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience on this front.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>