Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · College Park, MD
How students pay for the University of Maryland
Sticker price $29,816 a year. After grants, the average student pays $14,296, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $1,141 to $27,461.
- 45%admitted
- 30,760undergraduates
- 88%graduate
- 45%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Terrapin Commitment
Who: In-state, full-time undergraduates with unmet financial need who are Pell-eligible or have total family income of $75,000 or less What: Pays the difference so standard in-state tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $42,053 a year versus $12,290 for Maryland residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
45%grant from University of Marylandavg $8,807
16%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,655
21%state grantavg $6,731
22%federal student loanavg $5,120
Scholarships from University of Maryland
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Banneker/Key ScholarshipUp to the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, housing and food, plus a book allowance
Freshman applicants admitted to the Honors College who applied by early action; semifinalists are interviewed.
- President's Scholarship$2,000 to $20,000 a year for four years
In-state and out-of-state freshman applicants chosen on grades, activities, honors and essay.
- Dean's Scholarship$1,500 for freshman year, or $4,500 a year for freshman and sophomore years
In-state freshman applicants only; about 400 new recipients each fall; not renewable.
- Frederick Douglass Scholarship
Academically talented students transferring from a Maryland community college.
- Maryland Transfer Scholarship$5,000 a year for two years
In-state transfer students chosen on academic talent and financial need; renews with full-time enrollment and a 3.20 GPA.
- UMD Institutional Grant
In-state, full-time undergraduates with financial need who file the FAFSA or MHEC One App by the priority deadline.
- Maryland Degree Completion ScholarshipUp to $4,000, for up to 2 years
Seniors with 90+ credits, financial need, a 2.0+ GPA, maxed-out federal loans and an outstanding balance owed to UMD.
Priority FAFSA deadline: March 1 (FAFSA priority consideration deadline; also required each year for Terrapin Commitment).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Maryland
Educational Assistance (EA) Grant
$400 to $3,000 a year (2026–27), based on financial need; renewable for up to three more years
Who qualifies: Students eligible for in-state tuition who show financial need and enroll full-time (12 credits) in a degree program at a Maryland two- or four-year college, with no prior bachelor's degree.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA (or the MHEC One-App if you cannot file the FAFSA) by 1 March and list a Maryland college. The 2026–27 deadline was 1 March 2026.
Official rules →State grant · Maryland
Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant
Up to 100% of financial need, at most $18,000 a year (2026–27); renewable for up to three more years
Who qualifies: Students eligible for in-state tuition from low-income households (for 2026–27, up to $40,560 for a household of four), under 26 when first awarded, who start college full-time within six years of finishing high school or a GED.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA (or the MHEC One-App) by 1 March and list a Maryland college. The 2026–27 deadline was 1 March 2026.
Official rules →State grant · Maryland
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Up to $5,000 a year toward tuition and mandatory fees left after other federal or state aid
Who qualifies: Maryland high-school graduates or GED holders eligible for in-state tuition, attending their local community college with an unweighted high-school GPA of at least 2.3 and adjusted gross income up to $100,000 (single or single-parent household) or $150,000 (married or two-parent household), as published for 2025–26.
How: File the FAFSA (or the MHEC One-App) by 1 April and contact your local community college to apply; documents go to the college.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in College Park
| Studio | $2,220/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,310/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,280/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 20742. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$15.00/hour minimum wage in Maryland
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $6,750 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: has been $15.00 since 1 January 2024; Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's counties set a higher local minimum. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$16,000median federal debt≈ $182/month over 10 years
$89,228median earnings10 years after enrolling
88%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Maryland
Does University of Maryland offer free tuition?
Yes: Terrapin Commitment. In-state, full-time undergraduates with unmet financial need who are Pell-eligible or have total family income of $75,000 or less Pays the difference so standard in-state tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered.
What scholarships does University of Maryland offer?
Banneker/Key Scholarship (Up to the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, housing and food, plus a book allowance); President's Scholarship ($2,000 to $20,000 a year for four years); Dean's Scholarship ($1,500 for freshman year, or $4,500 a year for freshman and sophomore years); Frederick Douglass Scholarship (Not published on the page read); Maryland Transfer Scholarship ($5,000 a year for two years). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Maryland really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $14,296 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $1,141 to $27,461. The full cost of attendance before aid is $29,816.
Does University of Maryland give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 45% of first-year students received a grant from University of Maryland itself, averaging $8,807. 16% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,655).
How much is rent near University of Maryland?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (20742) is $2,310 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,560 for a two-bedroom, about $1,280 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Maryland?
Yes. The minimum wage in Maryland is $15.00 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $6,750 before tax.
How much debt do University of Maryland graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $16,000, about $182 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $89,228.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Maryland-College Park. How these pages work.
More in Maryland: University of Maryland Global Campus · All colleges in Maryland →