The Veterans Assistance Fund at University of Maryland Global Campus is designed to help military and veteran students enrolled at UMGC cover costs related to education when Federal financial aid, Tuition Assistance, and VA benefits are unavailable or exhausted. The purpose of the fund is to offset costs related to academics, completion, or transition for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship.

Eligibility

To apply for the Veterans Assistance Fund, you must

  • Be currently enrolled at UMGC

  • Be a veteran of the U.S. military or using VA educational benefits

  • Have completed at least 9 undergraduate credits or 6 graduate credits

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 as an undergraduate student or 3.0 as a graduate student

  • Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and received a Student Aid Report

  • Demonstrate financial hardship

Please Note: Financial need will be calculated by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution, scholarships, grants, and estimated veterans benefits from the Cost of Attendance. Student loans will not be included in this calculation or considered as a contributing factor to financial need.

If you are applying for the Accessibility category under the Completion pillar (see About the Fund), you do not have to meet the minimum credits requirement. However, you must contact the Office of Accessibility and complete a student intake form prior to applying for assistance under that category.

How to Apply

You can apply for a total of up to $3,000 per academic year. As part of your application, you will need to complete the following steps:

  • Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

  • Step 2: Complete the Veterans Assistance Fund application

  • Step 3: Submit a copy of your DD Form 214 to verify your veteran status and submit any optional supplemental documentation, such as a personal statement, bill, or invoice

Applications are reviewed throughout the year, so there is no application deadline or window.

About the Fund

Veterans Assistance Fund grants are awarded on an annual basis unless noted otherwise, and you must reapply each year if you want to continue receiving grant assistance. Award categories are divided into categories called “pillars.” You can choose to apply for one or more pillars, as long as the award amount requested does not exceed the overall total of $3,000 per academic year.

Pillar 1: Academics

This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with academic coursework, in the following categories:

  • Prior Learning: For partial or full credit charges awarded through a prior learning assessment, you can apply for up to $1,000.

  • Lab-Related Fees: For costs associated with required labs for UMGC academic programs (when book/supplies stipends are insufficient or unavailable), you can apply for up to $500.

Note: VA benefits do not cover the costs associated with transferring experiential learning credits awarded after a portfolio assessment or remedial classes taken in an online format. UMGC will recoup award funds for any dropped classes or 'FN' grades.

Pillar 2: Completion

This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with completing your UMGC degree, in the following categories:

  • Out-of-State Chapter 30: To cover the cost difference relative to in-state tuition if you are a student veteran who is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, pays out-of-state tuition, and receives Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill benefits, you can apply for up to $3,000.

  • Out of State Chapter 33: To cover the cost difference relative to in-state tuition if you are a student veteran who pays out-of-state tuition, receives Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and is not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you can apply for up to $3,000.

  • Final Semester: For costs associated with your last semester if you have exhausted your Federal financial aid and VA entitlement and are enrolled in the final courses you need to complete your program, you can apply for up to $3,000.

  • Accessibility: For fees and tuition recoupment and/or housing allowance benefit recoupment by the VA if you are a student veteran withdrawing from a course due to reasons of mental health or other issues associated with accessibility, you can apply for up to $3,000. This is a one-time only award.

  • VA Top-Up: For costs associated with tuition and fees when Tuition Assistance and VA Top-Up are insufficient, you can apply for up to $1,000.

  • Persistence: For costs associated with tuition and fees if you have exhausted your VA entitlement and other available FAFSA grant-based aid funds, you can apply for up to $1,500.

  • Relocation: For costs associated with increased tuition and fees due to relocation from a UMGC overseas division to stateside, you can apply for up to $1,000.  This is a one-time only award.

Note: UMGC will recoup award funds for any dropped classes or 'FN' grades, with possible exceptions for those applying under the Accessibility category.

Pillar 3: Transition

This pillar provides grant assistance for unexpected or uncovered costs associated with transitioning to a new career, in the following category:

  • Internship: For supplementary income if you are actively participating in an internship program, you can apply for up to $3,000.

Start the Veterans Assistance Fund Application

Complete this application to apply for Veterans Assistance Fund grant awards.

Review and Disbursement Process

Once you complete and send in your application and supplemental documentation, it will be reviewed by the Veterans Assistance Fund selection committee within 10 business days and you will be informed of your application's acceptance, acceptance with modified award amount, or denial. There is no appeal process once you receive your decision, but you may apply again if your circumstances have changed or in the next academic year.

If you are chosen to receive an award, you will be informed when the funds are disbursed to your student account.

Note for Donors

If you are a student, graduate, staff member, or faculty member or are otherwise interested in contributing to the educational experience of our student veterans, you can make a donation to the Veterans Assistance Fund by visiting the UMGC Veterans Donation Campaign webpage. All proceeds will go toward our goal of ensuring the academic and professional success of student veterans at UMGC.

The number of students who can be served by the Veterans Assistance Fund is subject to the availability of funds. The fund is sustained by continual contributions from students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of UMGC. Those who benefit from the fund are encouraged to contribute to the fund once they complete their education, assisting those who may face similar struggles.