Students Rights & Responsibilities
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Office of Student Financial Aid (UMES OSFA), in partnership with students (and students’ parents) provides federal, state, and institutional funds to help defray the cost of education. Student financial aid recipients have a number of responsibilities and rights.
As a student financial aid recipient, it is your responsibility to:
- Re-apply for financial aid each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting all required documents to the UMES OSFA. Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year.
- Complete and submit application materials within required or preferred timeframes and check My UMES to ensure all required forms have been submitted.
- Provide additional documentation or information as requested by the UMES OSFA.
- Read and understand all materials sent to you from the UMES OSFA and keep copies of all forms you sign.
- Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign.
- Know and comply with the federal, state, and institutional rules governing the financial aid you receive. This information is on the FAFSA, on the materials sent with your award notification, and on the UMES OSFA web site. These rules include, but are not limited to, not being in default on any prior educational loan and not owing a refund on a federal grant due to repayment.
- Report other sources of student financial aid to the UMES OSFA.
- Use student financial aid proceeds solely for direct educational costs and related living expenses.
- Complete the class registration process each semester by the end of the official last day to late register or add courses in order to ensure availability of all student financial aid funds you have been awarded. Some aid programs may be subject to cancellation or reduction if your registration process is not completed by the official last day to late register or add courses.
- Know the implications that dropping a course or withdrawing from the UMES will have on your student financial aid.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
- Keep your residing and permanent addresses current with the UMES Registrar’s Office by updating them on My UMES.
- Check your university-assigned email account often since some information and requests are sent via email.
- Pay all previous session charges appearing on your University bill before financial aid is disbursed for the current session.
- Complete your refund selection preference through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. on My UMES for any financial aid refunds.
As a student financial aid recipient, you have the right to:
- Know the correct procedures for applying for student financial aid, your cost of attendance, and the types of aid available.
- Know how financial need is determined, what the criteria are for awarding financial aid, how reasonable academic progress is determined, and what you have to do to continue receiving aid.
- Know the type and amount of assistance you will receive, how much of your financial need has been met, and how and when you will receive your financial aid funds.
- View the contents of your student financial aid file, in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Know the conditions of any loan you accept.
- Know the terms, conditions, and pay rate for any student job you accept.
- Appeal any decision with the UMES OSFA in regard to your financial aid application.
