UMD Banneker Key & Other Aid Class of 2022 discussion

Has anyone that needed to reschedule the interview heard back from Ashley White yet?

NO I sent two emails and called the office and she was out at that particular time I called. No communication so far.

@grndad - I feel your frustration. My son has similar stats - 36 ACT, 8 AP (all 5s except one 4), 4 more AP classes this year. Straight As, FBLA nationals, JV soccer, Varsity cross country, Science Olympiad, Scholars Bowl, Presidential Service Award every year, National Latin Exam Gold award, National Merit Finalist, etc, etc…and nothing from Maryland. Maybe he didn’t have enough “leadership”. Also, IMO his essays were good but not outstanding. We are out of state too. He has applied to several OOS schools and all (except Berkeley) have offered at least enough to get him to in-state tuition.

@Kathy V Thank you. Wow! Your son sounds like an incredible student. This is why we are not frustrated. We are not alone and your son’s stats (and all the others) show there are many great candidates. UMD is not finished offering merit so hopefully you will get the in-state $. It possibly won’t be enough for us but we will have to wait and see. The waiting is the frustrating part.

These schools push you to sign up for admitted students days an other orientation related activities, but we can’t do it until we know the bottom line. Especially when OOS. Good luck!

What are your thoughts on VIRTUS vs EIP for a future engineering student like me?

I’d also like to learn about QUEST because the design, problem-solving and projects with companies appeal to me.

I like the idea of engineering-specific support through a program like VIRTUS.

EIP seems really interesting, but I don’t know what I’d do with the program since I have no business experience. I do think growing a skillset like that would be useful and interesting, though.

I’m probably putting preferences for

1.EIP
2. University Honors

I don’t really care about the other Honors-only programs.

Sorry guys, posted in wrong topic.

I did find out that they have B/K interviews on Feb 27, March 5 and March 7 if you’re looking to reschedule.

Does anyone know how to find out how much financial aid you are getting?

I want to say something about Financial Aid. Based on what I’ve read on here over several years and my own D;s experience with admission to several Public University Flagships. Financial Aid from UMD consists of the standard Federal Student Loans. It may also include work study options. It may include a grant. But that is all

@SoofDad Generally agree UMd isn’t super generous. After our first got zero merit (not need eligible) we went into the UMd process this time with low expectations and hope they give a little and surprise us. I think the argument is that it’s a great school, you get a great job, and you can pay back some loans.

We’ve been through the process twice at UMd but no one has attended (yet, aid pending now) so we don’t have anyone there now but we have several instate friends. They got some smaller grants or merit and indeed great jobs. The smartest kid we know in state got $5k merit IIRC but I wonder if they figured she was going to the Ivies (tufts syndrome) and was not likely to attend. She ended up at a tip-top non-Ivy private.

Any word on merit scholarships other than B/K for anyone? D hasn’t received anything in the mail since the online Coalition update saying she was accepted (honors). No welcome to Maryland… nothing.

Nothing here (NJ) either from a Scholars or fin aid

Nothing here (KS) either. I called today and was told merit scholarships would be awarded by mid-March.

Do Banneker Key semifinalists recieve merit scholarships if they only get the partial?

The partial BK is a merit scholarship

Oh ok. I wasn’t sure if it was separate.

Did anyone who’s interview date got rescheduled check their coalition to see if it was switched on the checklist? Mine still says Feb 27th

I just posted under Honors Discussion that my son got a Presidential scholarship email today. I hope a lot of other get it, too!

congrats to those that received scholarships! Looks like my DD gets nothing except Honors College invite… UMD is likely out of our reach now…

Does the scholarship show up on the coalition app or just an email?

Is it possible that not all merit has been released yet? Still haven’t gotten an email.