Grants are types of gift aid that do not have to be repaid. They may take the form of federal, state or institutional grants.
In order to be considered for Federal and State Grant funds, students must first complete the FAFSA.
Federal Pell Grant
Sources: Federally Funded
Award: Variable ($381-$7,395 annually as of 2024-2025)
Criteria: Award amount is based on a federal formula according to need and enrollment status. Recipients must be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program and must not have previously earned a bachelor’s or professional degree and Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Students can receive no more than 12 semesters (or the equivalent) of Pell Grants during their undergraduate program, including payments received at previous institutions.
The maximum Pell Grant for the 2024-2025 Award Year is $7,395.
Can I appeal my Pell lifetime eligibility?
No, you may not. Federal Pell Grant limits are set by federal law.
If you rely on Federal Pell Grant funding, stay in school and be conscious about the lifetime limits when changing majors and/or scheduling classes.
How do I determine my remaining eligibility?
For more information about calculating your remaining eligibility, visit the Federal Student Aid Pell Grant page.
How can I see my Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) percentage?
Log on to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)website using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and view your LEU.
The LEU will be found on the Financial Aid Review page.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Sources: Federally Funded
Award: Variable
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for FSEOG. Awards range from $500 to $4,000 annually. The priority deadline for FSEOG consideration at UMES is January 15th for the following academic year.
Maryland State Grants
- State Financial Assistance Programs & Applications
- Student Guide to Higher Education & Financial Aid in Maryland
- Eligibility Requirements
- MHEC Renewal Credit Completion Requirements
When to apply: *For 2024-2025 priority consideration, students must complete the FAFSA by April 1st.
Institutional Grants
For most undergraduates, eligibility for an institutional need or non-need based grant is determined upon receipt of the FAFSA based on direct cost (i.e. tuition, fees, living on-campus, etc.) and, if you apply for financial aid, your demonstrated financial need. Eligibility for UMES need and non-need based grants are determined each academic year, which means students are not guaranteed to receive a grant or the same amount they received in a previous year for subsequent academic years. Institutional grants are subject to the availability of funds and are awarded based on the following criteria:
- Must be enrolled full-time (12 credits, UGRD)
- Must have completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA prior to March 15th
- Must be Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
- Must have on-campus housing
- Must display need (gap between your direct cost (i.e. tuition, fees, on-campus housing, etc.) and the total amount of federal, state, and private funds you have been awarded)
Note: Institutional funds are tentatively awarded based on information provided on the FAFSA (i.e. Student Aid Index (SAI) and housing status) as well as the assumption that each student will be enrolled full-time. If your eligibility for any aid you receive is jeopardized for reasons other than academic merit (e.g. if you are in default on a federal loan, or if you did not respond to the University’s requests for tax information and income verification), then your federal, state, and institutional grants may also be affected. Students who are initially awarded an institutional grant, but later do not meet the requirements (i.e. the student chooses not to live on-campus or the student enrolls less than full-time) are subject to institutional funds being cancelled.
