@SoofDad - Thanks so much. This info is very helpful in answering my questions. Hopefully your D is enjoying UMD and is happy there. From what I’ve heard, it’s a great school. My D is very excited & hoping to be able to attend but we received the financial aid package (just very small loans) today so, as an OOS, I don’t know if it will be possible. Thanks again & best of luck to your D!
@ahopefulparent - Thank you. My D is doing very well and enjoying college, I do know that financial aid from many public universities is really just the standard federal loans. We are IS so UMD is a great value for us, but sadly not so great for people who are OOS. They just dont have the money for a lot of merit aid or grants. For us, avoiding debt was a big factor. I’m sure your D will do well. Good Luck!