Applying for financial aid doesn't need to be stressful—most of the forms you need to apply are easily available online. Here's how to navigate the financial aid process effectively as a student at University of Maryland Global Campus.

Step 1: Determine Your Financial Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for federal student aid is determined on the basis of financial need as well as several other factors. An eligible applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be enrolled and working toward a degree or eligible certificate
  • Possess a high school diploma or General Education Development certificate, also known as a GED
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress while in school

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

For priority consideration, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, must be received by the established priority deadlines: April 1 (summer), June 1 (fall), and November 1 (spring). While no award for financial aid can be given until you have been admitted to UMGC, please do not wait until you receive your admission decision to submit the FAFSA. On your application, please indicate UMGC's school code: 011644. You'll need to include this information on your application to ensure we receive a copy of your FAFSA. You will be prompted to create an ID number once you log on to the FAFSA website.

For more information on completing the FAFSA, please watch the Financial Aid TV FAFSA tutorial for first-time filers, located at the bottom of this page.

Maryland residents may also apply for aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission by including UMGC's school code (011644) on the FAFSA. For more information about state aid, please visit MHEC's website.

To ensure you accurately complete your FAFSA, we recommend having a copy of your 2018 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ on hand to correctly transfer the figures from your return onto your FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, you will also need a copy of your parents' 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ to complete this form. Students who are married but filed separately should complete their FAFSA using both individuals' tax information. We also recommend having your W-2 forms available. This will help you accurately list your income.

Upon completion of your FAFSA, we highly recommend you request a tax return transcript from the IRS or an official letter of non-filing if you did not file taxes in 2018.  If the Department of Education selects your FAFSA for verification, having this this information already processing with the Internal Revenue Service could help expedite the processing of your application at UMGC.  These forms should ONLY be sent to UMGC is requested.  If unnecessary information is sent to UMGC that we did not request, this will delay the processing of your application. Please see UMGC's financial aid policies for more details.

Which FAFSA Do I Need to Submit?

Program Winter 2020 Spring 2020 Summer 2020 Fall 2020
Undergraduate Programs

N/A

2019–2020

2020–2021

2020–2021
Graduate Programs (Standard)

N/A

2019–2020

2020–2021

2020–2021
Graduate Programs (Requiring DCL 600, CBR 600, PRO 600, or DMG 800)

2019–2020

2019–2020

2020–2021

2020–2021

Step 3: Check Your E-mail and MyUMGC for Updates

From the date you submitted your FAFSA, it typically takes three to five business days for us to receive your application. After initial review, the Department of Education will identify if you need to submit anything further for your application to be fully processed. We will contact you directly through e-mail to notify you if additional information is needed.

We will also update your To Do List on your MyUMGC account with detailed descriptions of the additional requirements. Make sure to check MyUMGC frequently to stay on top of your requirements and submit any requested information to us promptly. To learn more about the Title IV verification policy, you can visit our Policies and Information page.

Step 4: Accept Your Aid Package

Your financial aid award package lists the amount of aid you are eligible to receive to attend UMGC. Your award may be a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans. It is important to accept your award promptly so that your aid will disburse in a timely manner.

Your award package is based on your FAFSA results and on the assumption that you will register at least half-time, and it is divided equally between the fall and spring terms. If you decide not to attend UMGC, please contact our office immediately.

Step 5: Receive Your Aid

Your aid may be revised according to your actual enrollment at the time you register. If you are owed a refund, it will be processed according to the refund disbursement procedures outlined by Student Accounts. To ensure that your aid is disbursed on time, it is important to check your To Dos in My UMGC periodically to make sure that your financial aid file is complete. You can review your award package in the Financial Aid section of MyUMGC.

If you are a new borrower to UMGC, visit StudentLoans.gov to complete your Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. Both of these documents must be completed before your loan funds will disburse.

Step 6: Maintain Your Eligibility

To maintain your eligibility for financial aid, you must meet the standards set forth in UMGC's policy on satisfactory academic progress. You should also review how changes to your enrollment can affect your financial aid.

FAQs: IRS Documentation and FAFSA Tips

How do I request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter? +

An IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ for the year requested. Non-tax filers can request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter for their 2018 tax return status free of charge from the IRS online, on the phone, or by mail. Details of these three processes are outlined below.

Note: If you typically would have filed a Puerto Rican or foreign income tax return, you must submit appropriate non-filing documentation from a relevant tax authority.

Online Request

You can file an online request through the IRS website.

Note: This option is typically not available if you have not filed taxes in prior years. If this is the case, please use the paper request process detailed below.

  1. Under Tools, select "Get a Tax Transcript."
  2. Next, select "Get Transcript Online." (If at any point you cannot validate your identity—for example, you cannot provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone—you may use "Get Transcript by Mail.")
  3. Enter the non-filer’s social security number, e-mail address, filing status, account numbers for loan or credit card associated with your name, and mobile phone associated with your name.
  4. Click "Continue."
  5. Select "Verification of Non-Filing Letter" and in the tax year field, select "2018."
  6. If successfully validated, you will be able to view your IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
  7. Submit the IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center. 

Telephone Request 

You can file a telephone request with the IRS by calling 800-908-9946. 

Note: This option is typically not available if you have not filed taxes in prior years. If this is the case, please use the paper request process detailed below. 

  1. Non-filers must follow prompts to enter their social security number and the numbers in their street address. Generally this will be numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest tax return filed.
  2. Select option 2 to request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter and then enter "2018."
  3. If successfully validated, non-filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter at the address provided in their telephone request within 5 to 10 days after the time of the request.
  4. IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letters requested by telephone cannot be sent directly to a third party by the IRS.
  5. Submit the IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center.

Paper Request via Mail

Download IRS Form 4506-T. 

  1. Complete lines 1–4, following the instructions on page 2 of the form.
  2. On line 3, please enter the non-filer's street address and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS.
  3. Line 5 provides non-filers with the option to have their IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter mailed directly to a third party by the IRS. Do not have your IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter sent directly to UMGC.
  4. On line 6, enter tax form number 1040.
  5. On line 7, select the checkbox on the right hand side for Verification of Non-Filing.
  6. On line 9, enter "12/31/2018" for the year or period requested field.
  7. The non-filer must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number. Only one signature is required when requesting a joint IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
  8. Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506-T to the address (or fax number) provided on page 2 of Form 4506-T.
  9. If the 4506-T information is successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter at the address provided on their request within 5 to 10 days.
  10. Submit the IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center.

How do I request an IRS Tax Return Transcript? +

Tax filers can request a transcript of their 2018 tax return, free of charge, from the IRS online, on the phone, or by mail. Details of these three processes are outlined below.

Online Request

This is available at the IRS website. 

Note: This option is typically not available if you have not filed taxes in prior years. If this is the case, please use the paper request process detailed below.

  1. Under Tools, select "Get a Tax Transcript."
  2. Next, select "Get Transcript Online." (If at any point, you cannot validate your identity—for example, you cannot provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone—you may use "Get Transcript by Mail.")
  3. Enter the non-filer’s social security number, e-mail address, filing status, account numbers for loan or credit card associated with your name, and mobile phone associated with your name.
  4. Click "Continue."
  5. Select "Tax Return Transcript" (not "Tax Account Transcript") and in the tax year field, select "2018."
  6. If successfully validated, you will be able to view your transcript.
  7. Submit the transcript, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center. 

OR

  1. Under Tools, select "Get Transcript of Your Tax Records."
  2. Select "Get Transcript by Mail."
  3. Enter the tax filer's social security number, date of birth, street address, and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS. 
  4. Click "Continue." 
  5. Select "Tax Return Transcript" (not "Tax Account Transcript") and in the tax year field, select "2018."
  6. If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper transcript at the address included in their online request within 5 to 10 days. 
  7. Submit the transcript, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center. 

Telephone Request

You can can submit a telephone request to the IRS by calling 800-908-9946. 

Note: This option is typically not available if you have not filed taxes in prior years. If this is the case, please use the paper request process detailed below.

  1. Tax filers must follow prompts to enter their social security number and the numbers in their street address. Generally this will be numbers of the street address that was listed on the latest tax return filed.
  2. Select option 2 to request an "IRS Tax Return Transcript" (not a "Tax Account Transcript") and then enter "2018."
  3. If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper transcript at the address provided in their telephone request within 5 to 10 days after the time of the request.
  4. Transcripts requested by telephone cannot be sent directly to a third party by the IRS.
  5. Submit the transcript, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center.

Paper Request via Mail

Download IRS Form 4506T-EZ. 

  1. Complete lines 1–4, following the instructions on page 2 of the form.
  2. On line 3, please enter the tax filer's street address and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS.
  3. Line 5 provides tax filers with the option to have their transcript mailed directly to a third party by the IRS. Do not have your transcript sent directly to UMGC.
  4. On line 6, enter "2018" in the tax year field.
  5. The tax filer must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number. Only one signature is required when requesting a joint transcript.
  6. Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506T-EZ to the address (or fax number) provided on page 2 of Form 4506T-EZ.
  7. If the 4506T-EZ information is successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper transcript at the address provided on their request within 5 to 10 days.
  8. Submit the transcript, if requested, via UMGC's Help Center.

How do I enter the proper address when requesting information from the IRS? +

When entering the information into the IRS address matching system note the following:

  • The address entered must match the address already on file with the IRS exactly.
  • The address on file is typically the address on your most recent tax return.
  • Spelling out the word “street” rather than using the abbreviation "st." can be enough to cause an error.
  • Addresses on the IRS system are autocorrected through a post office program and may not match what you put on your tax return.

We suggest the following if you run into problems:

  • Have your taxes in front of you and enter the address carefully, exactly as it appears on your return.
  • If you entered your address as it appears on your return and it doesn’t work, try using the standardized version of your address. To get a standardized version of your address:
    • Go to the USPS website.
    • Select "Look Up a Zip Code."
    • Enter a street address, city, and state.
    • Select "Find."
  • If you still have problems, the IRS website help desk can be reached toll-free at 800-876-1715, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., eastern time.

What are acceptable forms of IRS documentation for non-filing status? +

The following are acceptable forms of IRS documentation of non-filing status:

Form

Which States . . .

IRS Form 13873

  • Form is provided to the individual as verification of non-filing

  • IRS has no record of a tax return

IRS Tax Return Transcript

  • No record of return filed

  • No transcript on file

Other IRS Document

  • IRS does not have tax return on file for tax year

The following are not acceptable forms of IRS documentation of non-filing status:

Form

Which States . . .

IRS Form 13873

  • Unable to fulfill document request because request included inaccurate information

  • Unable to fulfill document request because request was incomplete

IRS Tax Return Transcript

  • Request could not be honored

  • Message unclear

Tips to Manage Your Financial Aid

Learn six tips for managing your financial aid.

For More Information

If you have additional questions or need support, please visit our Financial Aid Help Center webpage.