Incoming First-Year Students

UMBC offers a range of general merit scholarships to in-state, out-of-state, undocumented, DACA, and international students. These four-year scholarships range from $1,000 to $15,000 per year. To qualify for general scholarship review, students must first be admitted to the University.

In addition to general merit scholarships, UMBC offers seven Scholars Programs based on academic interest. A separate application is required for these programs.

Information for Incoming First-Year Merit Scholarships

Scholarship eligibility is based on:

  • Cumulative Averages
  • SAT or ACT scores (if provided)*
  • Individual grades
  • High school programs (9-11th grade)

*Test Optional Admissions:  Students who are unable to submit standardized test scores or choose not to submit standardized test scores for admissions consideration will be considered for merit based scholarships based on the factors outlined above.

Consideration is based upon a numerical standard and competition of the applicant pool. Eligibility is based on credentials provided at the time of application for admission. Merit scholarships are limited to fall and spring semesters for undergraduate studies only.

Step 1: Apply for Fall Admission

Apply for Admission for Automatic Merit Scholarship Consideration!

General merit scholarships do not require a separate application! Prospective incoming first-year students will be automatically reviewed for a merit scholarship provided timely application for admission.

Incoming first-year students should file early action admission applications by NOVEMBER 1st.

Meeting the early action admission deadline guarantees scholarship consideration. Scholarship reviews will continue beyond the early action date if funding is still available.

Step 2: What Happens Once You Apply?

Congratulations! Once you have applied for admission, you will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship. There is no additional action needed.

While you wait to hear back:

After receiving your campus ID, submit a General Application on our Scholarship Retriever platform. Scholarship Retriever houses scholarships from across the university and new opportunities are posted throughout the year. Once you submit your General Application, your profile will automatically be matched with scholarship opportunities to apply to.

  1. Pro-tip #1: Check back on the tool every 2-3 weeks for additional scholarships to apply to.
  2. Pro-tip #2: Be detailed in your General Application, and keep your response up to date. All scholarships are linked to this, so scholarship reviewers can see your response here.

Consider applying to some of UMBC’s seven Scholars Programs. These competitive programs combine financial awards with special opportunities for advanced research, unique seminars, directed internships, study abroad and more, based on academic interest. Scholarships range from $5,000 to $22,000 per year, based on academic interest.

  1. A separate application is required and the deadline for most of these programs is January 15th.
  2. Note: Students may only accept one (1) UMBC academic / merit scholarship. If offered multiple awards from separate UMBC programs or committees, students will be required to select only one award offer.
    1. This means you are welcome to apply to all Scholar Programs of interest. However, you will only be able to accept one scholarship, either your General First Year Merit Scholarship (if offered) OR one of the Scholar Program Scholarships (if offered).

Step 3: When Will You Hear Back?

The date you complete your admissions application determines when you can expect to hear back regarding being awarded a scholarship.

If you applied for admission…

  • By November 1st
    • Admissions and Scholarship offer letters are sent in late December.
  • After November 1st
    • Admissions and Scholarship offer letters are sent in February.
  • After February
    • Admissions and Scholarship offer letters are sent 2-4 weeks after completed admissions application is received.

After the January 15th application deadline, Scholar Programs begin reviewing applicants to invite to Scholar Selection Day interviews.

Students are typically informed of their acceptance/denial into Scholar Programs at the beginning of April. For questions, contact your specific scholar program(s).

Step 4: Accept Your Scholarship!

To accept your merit scholarship, you must sign your scholarship agreement through your myUMBC account. Learn more on how to sign your scholarship agreement.

Note: If you will be deferring your scholarship, you must still sign your agreement. See here for additional information.

Students may only accept one (1) UMBC academic / merit scholarship. If offered multiple awards from separate UMBC programs or committees, students will be required to select only one award offer.

Step 5: Welcome to UMBC!

Congratulations on your Scholarship and Admission to UMBC!

Continue applying to additional scholarship opportunities to set yourself up for financial success!

We encourage you to review our Current Scholars page for additional information on maintaining your scholarship once you start at UMBC. Merit scholarship recipients must maintain:

  • minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average
  • register for and successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters; not including audited courses

All recipients undergo academic reviews each semester to ensure they maintain the cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements.

Note to Undergraduates:  While 12 registered credits meets the minimum course load required for scholarship maintenance purposes, we encourage you to consider the many benefits of enrolling in at least 15 credits per semester (or, on average, 30 credits per year), including graduating in four years.

To learn more about strategies for on-time degree completion and four year graduation, visit Finish 15.

Information for Students Not Awarded a Merit Scholarship:

All merit scholarship reviews are completed at the time of admission based on a set standard determined by the university’s senior leadership. Students cannot appeal these award amounts as they are final. We recommend that you check out the Scholarship Retriever tool for additional scholarship opportunities, some of which are renewable each year.

Additional scholarships available at UMBC can be found in Scholarship Retriever. Scholarships are posted year round. You must log in using your myUMBC information and complete the General Application each year to be considered.

Financial Aid

UMBC is a participating school in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and awards need-based federal, state and institutional aid. For more information about grant and loan options, state aid, and cost of attendance, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Visit UMBC’s Financial Aid Website

Be sure to add UMBC’s School Code to your FAFSA to be considered for federal, institutional, and state aid programs.

  • UMBC FAFSA School Code: 002105
  • UMBC FAFSA Name: Umbc

A FAFSA is not required to receive a UMBC merit scholarship, however, it is always encouraged for additional aid opportunities. More information about the FAFSA can be found here.

Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)

For information regarding Maryland State scholarships, please visit the Office of Financial Aid’s website.

No combination of UMBC awards, private scholarships, and other financial assistance can exceed the cost of attendance for an academic year.