FAQ | Admissions

UMES HBCU Initiative Policy

University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) HBCU Initiative Policy

Applicable Group(s): Undergraduate Domestic Students (First-Time, First-Year and Transfer Students)

Responsible Office: Office of Admissions and Recruitment at Phone: 410-651-6410 or Email: umesadmissions@umes.edu

1. Policy Statement

The UMES HBCU Initiative is designed to provide financial assistance to out-of-state students from regions lacking a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This initiative facilitates access to higher education by offering a reduction in tuition rates for up to four consecutive years. It is a vital opportunity for students from regions without an HBCU, aiming to expand the educated workforce and provide recruitment leverage for the university.

2. Purpose of Policy

The purpose of the UMES HBCU Initiative is to promote higher education access by offering out-of-state students a financial incentive to attend UMES. This initiative targets students from areas without an HBCU and aims to enhance retention and academic success. The reduced tuition and campus residency requirements are designed to increase student access to an affordable college education, facilitate workforce development, and promote cultural diversity within the university community.

This reduced tuition initiative represents a crucial opportunity for students from regions lacking HBCUs. By establishing clear guidelines and eligibility criteria, UMES aims to promote transparency and support for all prospective students. As students, they rent apartments, buy goods and services, attend entertainment and cultural events, and patronize local businesses and restaurants. Upon graduation, these non-resident students contribute to the educated workforce, providing Maryland companies with a skilled talent pool. We have seen alumni offer career opportunities to out-of-state students, keeping them in Maryland. Moreover, offering a reduction in tuition for qualifying out-of-state students, coupled with our access to major metropolitan areas like Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, and large federal and corporate industries, gives UMES a recruitment advantage that is difficult for other institutions to match.

For further inquiries, please contact the UMES Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

3. Definitions

HBCU Initiative Eligibility: Applies to newly admitted undergraduate domestic first-time, first-year students (freshmen) and transfer students starting in Fall 2024 from states and U.S. territories without an HBCU. The eligible states and U.S. territories include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A student must have 12 consecutive months of your home residency from the states and territories listed above at the time of application.

Ineligible Applicants for HBCU Initiative: Current UMES students and graduate students.

4. Complete Policy Language

Eligibility Criteria:

The reduced tuition initiative is available to first-time, first-year undergraduate students (freshmen) and transfer students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and from regions without an HBCU.

Students must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) each Fall and Spring semester and must reside on-campus for the first year.

Students must be in good academic standing and not have been previously dismissed for academic reasons.

The reduced tuition rate is available for up to four consecutive years of enrollment, if students remain in good standing as described in the academic catalog.

If students take a break in enrollment, eligibility for the reduced tuition will be voided unless a documented exception is approved (e.g., illness or military service).
A student must have 12 consecutive months of your permanent residency from the states and territories listed above at the time of application.
Permanent Residency for Transfer Students: The student’s home state is the primary factor in determining in-state residency for tuition, not where the student attended college. This means that if a student is transferring from out-of-state, their eligibility for in-state tuition would depend on their home state residency status (where they lived before attending college), not the state they attended college in.
5. Application Process:
Students must apply and be accepted into UMES beginning Fall 2024.

The reduced tuition rate will be outlined in the student’s acceptance letter.

Appeals Process:

Students who experience a break in enrollment can appeal for the termination of their discount for reasons such as illness or involuntary military duty, with appropriate documentation.
A student may submit an appeal if they believe they have exceptional circumstances not covered by the established policy.
Appeals may be submitted to umesadmissions@umes.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

***Inquiry Form to Request Information About UMES***

Application Process

How do I apply to UMES?

UMES has 3 different ways to apply the Common App, the Common Black College App, and the UMES Standard Application. You only need to choose one platform to submit an application.

What do I need for my application to be complete?

For an application to be considered complete, our office must receive the following:

an online application via Common App, Black Common App, or the UMES standard application
a nonrefundable application fee of $35.00
an official copy of high school and/or college transcripts

OPTIONAL:

Your official standardized test scores (ex. SAT or ACT)
Letters of recommendation
A personal statement

Please note, only completed applications will be reviewed and receive an admission decision.

What is the application deadline?

The fall priority deadline is February 15th, the fall commitment deadline is May 1st. The spring deadline is December 1st. However, UMES continues to evaluate applications on a space-available basis.

How do I submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation?

Once you have completed an application and submitted it, you can email personal statements (250 words or less) and letters of recommendation to umesadmissions@umes.edu. You can also fax the documents to (410) 651-7922. Please be sure to include your first name, last name, and birth date in the email or fax.

Transfer Students

What are the requirements for a transfer student?

In order to be considered a transfer student, you must have earned 24 college credits and have a 2.0 GPA.

How do I find out which classes transfer?

A: After you submit an application at www.umes.edu/apply, an official transcript must be sent to us from any higher education institution you have attended. Once the transcript(s) from the institution(s) has been received, we will evaluate your eligibility for admission. Transcript(s) will then go to the Registrar’s Office and a Transfer Credit Evaluation will be done. Once the Registrar’s Office has determined which credits/ classes transfer, they will send you a copy of this Transfer Credit Evaluation and they will also post it in your HawkWeb Student Service Center.

List of Acceptable Agencies to review Foreign Transcripts

What if I have earned less than 24 college credits?

If you have earned less than 24 college credits, you must provide a copy of your high school transcript(s) along with your application.

Admitted Students

What are my next steps after I’ve been admitted?

To ensure a smooth transition, please make sure you complete all of the checklist items below:

Celebrate your admission!
Confirm your enrollment (the link to confirm your enrollment can be found in your FutureHawk Portal)
Complete your Health and Immunization form. (All students and staff will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or medical/religious exemption).
Submit your FAFSA application. Our FAFSA federal school code 002106. (For questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 410-651-6172. You must complete and submit the FAFSA in order to be considered for financial aid and certain scholarships.)
Verify your residency information. If you believe you are in-state and have been classified otherwise, contact us.
Complete your housing reservation online using the following steps:
- Log in to MyUMES (my.umes.edu) on a computer (not a mobile device)
- Click on the Hawkville icon (the maroon icon that has the image of a bed/house)
- Select and complete the correct application
- Pay the $300 deposit with a debit/credit card
Contact your high school counselor or previous institution to submit your final transcripts electronically. (Official final transcripts are required before you can attend class).
Schedule a time to visit your new home.

Do admitted students have to submit a deposit?

Yes, UMES does require a $100 non-refundable enrollment deposit. Additionally, if you plan to stay on campus, you will have to submit a housing deposit when you submit your housing application.

Just log in to your FutureHawk portal then complete and submit the Enrollment Form and deposit (located within the Enrollment Checklist).

International Students

To view a full document of resources for international students click here:Download

How do I know if I am classified as an international student?

International applicants are students who do not hold United States citizenship or resident alien status. If you fit this classification, you should apply as an international student.

What are the steps to apply as an international student?

The Office of Admissions & Recruitment requires the following information from an international applicant to be considered for undergraduate admission:

A completed admissions application with a non-refundable $35.00 application fee in U.S. dollars. To start an international payment for your tuition and fees through Flywire, visit umes.flywire.com.
An official evaluation of all academic records (credential evaluation) from SPANTRAN. Please request a course-by-course evaluation including a grade point average (GPA). The evaluation should be accompanied by an official copy of each academic record.
SpanTran Request Form for UMES Also view the List of Acceptable Agencies to review Foreign Transcripts
Official scores to confirm English proficiency IELTS (http://www.ielts.org/), TOEFL (http://ets.org/toefl) scores, PTE (https://pearsonpte.com/), or Duolingo English Test.
For more information, please contact our DSO Denitta Gladding, Admissions Specialist Telephone: (410) 651-6416 Email: dgladding@umes.edu
Conditional admission is not offered for applicants whose scores do not meet the minimum required scores or for those who do not have scores to submit. The scores should be no more than two years old.
An official copy of the test results from taking either the SAT I or ACT.
A certificate of finance along with a bank statement bank or scholarship letter, no more than six months old, addressed to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore verifying the availability of funds to cover tuition, fees, and other direct costs associated with enrolling at the university. For a list of estimated costs of attendance, please visit the Office of Financial Aid or Student Accounts.