The University of Maryland (UMD) offers tuition waivers for currently enrolled eligible homeless youth students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
For eligible UMD students, who are state of Maryland residents, the Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver covers the cost of tuition and mandatory academic fees. This includes all fees from credit-bearing and non-credit courses but does not include room, board, books or transportation costs.
If a recipient of this waiver also receives a scholarship or grant, the funds from the scholarship/grant cannot be applied to the cost of tuition. Recipients will continue to be exempt from paying tuition and fees until 10 years after first enrolling as a candidate for an associate, bachelor's, or vocational certificate at any Maryland public institution of higher education.
To be eligible for a Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver, a student must meet each of the following criteria:
- Be verified as a homeless youth (under the age of 25) by an authorized official.
- Be enrolled at UMD on or before their 25th birthday.
- Be classified as In-state student by UMD
The Office of Student Financial Aid strongly recommends that eligible students complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for additional financial aid programs.
Students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to their citizenship status are encouraged to complete the Maryland State Financial Aid Application by the state’s March 1 deadline each year to be considered for additional state of Maryland grant programs.
To apply for the Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver, please send an email to umdfinaid@umd.edu with the subject line “Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver Request”. The email must include:
- A brief (1-2 paragraphs) explanation of why you believe you are eligible for this waiver.
- A copy of the Homeless Child or Youth verification letter (if any).
- Your university ID number.
The Office of Student Financial Aid will review your request and, if eligible, will provide you with the information needed to complete the Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver application.
The Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver can be renewed for up to an additional four years or until your bachelor’s degree is awarded, whichever comes first.
To be eligible for renewal, you must be currently enrolled in an eligible program. The Office of Student Financial Aid will review your information each year and will contact you if additional documentation is needed.