Eligibility Requirements
Students may receive UMGC SAFER aid a maximum of once per academic year. To be eligible to apply for SAFER funds, you must:
- Have successfully completed a minimum of 6 credits at UMGC prior to submitting your application
- Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program
- Be enrolled at least half-time during the term in which you apply for SAFER
- 6+ credits for undergraduate and graduate 3-term programs
- 4+ credits for graduate 4-term programs
- Be in good academic standing (not on academic warning or probation)
- Meet requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Have a FAFSA on file at UMGC and have received a financial aid offer notification
- Not be employed at UMGC (this does not apply to student workers; student workers are eligible to apply)
- Have not already received emergency funds in this academic year
- Have a financial need arising from an emergency
Application & Disbursement
By following the application instructions below, you are requesting this emergency funding from UMGC to assist with your educational and financial needs. If you have a current balance owed to UMGC, the application form will ask that you outline your plan to meet all current financial obligations to UMGC.
To apply for UMGC SAFER aid, please click the application link below.
Your application will be reviewed within 2-3 business days, and, if approved, will be posted to your student account and then refunded, in full, to you. If you have not signed up for direct deposit, you are strongly encouraged to do so by logging into your MyUMGC Student Portal and navigating to the Finances tab. Receiving a check by mail can take up to 6 weeks.
By submitting an application, you affirm the following:
The information provided on this application and any additional documentation submitted is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I agree that UMGC may use my description of financial hardship in an anonymized format in order to solicit financial donations to UMGC and to improve UMGC programs. I also understand that UMGC will not use any of my personally identifiable information contained in this application in its efforts to complete the above initiatives.
All grants are subject to the availability of funds. I understand that by completing this grant application that I am not guaranteed awarding of a grant. If I am awarded a UMGC grant, I must maintain eligibility during the time in which I receive the award. Failure to do so may result in a cancellation or an adjustment of my award.
Donate to the Student Aid Fund
UMGC's SAFER program is driven entirely by donations from our generous community. Without your contributions, UMGC would not be able to assist students who are facing a financial emergency. If you would like to donate to the emergency aid fund, please click the link below.
Additional Resources
Below are some financial resources available to you that we strongly recommend you review in addition to seeking UMGC SAFER aid:
FAFSA-Related Funding: Your completed FAFSA allows you to be considered automatically for many different types of financial assistance, including federal grant and student loan programs, as well as state and institutional scholarships and grants. If the income information that was reported on your current FAFSA has changed significantly due to a change or loss of household income or other benefits, please review our Special Conditions Appeal policy to see if you might qualify to be re-reviewed for aid eligibility. Additional information can be found on our Costs and Financial Aid page.
UMGC Veterans Assistance Fund: If you are a veteran, you may qualify for additional funding through our Veterans Assistance Fund. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, or anything related to the fund, please contact vesseyvrc@umgc.edu.
Federal and State Aid: While it is our hope that UMGC SAFER aid can provide the assistance you need at this time, we understand that many students have continuing financial needs related to their emergency situations. We recommend that you review the federal and state resources available to you:
Please note: If you are not a Maryland, District of Columbia, or Virginia resident, you are encouraged to check your state’s Department of Health and Human Services website.