Found this on the UMD subreddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/UMD/comments/50p4uu/signing_up_for_the_fire_program/
The OP was in ACES (an honors program) and had been asked to be in FIRE as well. Question was from 4 months ago so UMD may still be tweaking with this program.
Like @mcris1027 my app is also completed and was submitted before the deadline 
I don’t know what’s up
@pagirl2017 @nyanpasu_ I got it, thanks!
Will I get any scholarship money from being accepted into the scholars program?
^^ And this is probably a stupid question but what is the difference between honors and scholars? I’ve never really heard of the scholars program. I was accepted into honors.
@vdixon2017 @hopelessopus12 scholarship decisions are independent of LLC (honors + scholars programs) admissions decisions. There’s a good thread on the forum that covers the differences between the programs pretty well–http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1857311-college-park-scholars-v-honors-college-info-discussion-p1.html
@xaviermom2017 Thanks! Good luck to you too. Going out of state was the best decision for my two older kids, and my youngest never wanted to stay in state. I think he’s happy he didn’t get in. IM more upset then he is! UMD has too many LEPS (limited enrollment) and I don’t like freshman connection. DS was accepted directly into biology, offered merit money at two schools and honor college…so he’s good. A high SAT or Act does not always correlate into college success. A lot of schools put more weight into rigor and gpa. Our high school college advisor was told by admissions rep that UMD received 3000 more priority apps this year.
@KimQuat do you know if there’s a deadline for the Scholars program?
@adoxography You should get a letter within about a week with info about scholars. It will direct you to a link to sign up for the “interest inventory” to rank your preferred programs and answer some short questions. I believe you only have a few weeks to fill this out. Doing so guarantees you will have a spot in scholars (in whichever program you get in - some are more popular/competitive so no guarantee you will get your first choice), but it is not a commitment to attend Maryland. If you fail to fill out the interest inventory by the deadline they specify, you will lose your spot in scholars.
@maryversity i had a question. i am accepted into comp sci in UMD CP but when will i hear back about the merit based scholarships?
Is there any reason why I haven’t heard back?
Maybe you your materials didnt get there in time and you were redirected for regular decision. Or they still have not finished releasing priority decisions yet
Wait a minute, what was the priority deadline?
@nyanpasu November 1st
Erm well, my app was complete only by Nov. 30th and I received my decision yesterday. Intl student as well
This is super late but I guess I’ll post my stats:
Accepted in College Park Scholars for Environmental Science & Technology In State (I go to a feeder school where almost 200 kids per year get in)
GPA: 3.9/4.0 weighted (my school doesn’t do unweighted)
SAT: 1260 Writing: 24 perfect score
ACT: 29
SAT World History: 640
In rigorous STEM magnet program, took 8 APs, conducting environmental engineering research project for senior thesis, started my own club, NHS, lots of community service and all that etc.
Hook i guess lol: feeder school/in-state, under represented minority
Does anyone know where and when to look for financial aid packages?
My application was completed in early October though. Starting to get really nervous
Scholarship Info starts to come out in mid-to-late February. I’m not sure when Financial Aid comes out, but you will get an email when it does Here are some links with additional info
http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/scholarships/merit.php
.
http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/