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Obtaining a Visa


Admitted international applicants and students with international coursework must provide a visa after they are offered admission.

If you have questions regarding the status of your visa or the required paperwork, please contact International Student & Scholar Services.

If you are holding F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor status in the United States, you need to submit a photocopy of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, visa stamp and current I-20 or DS2019 form along with your certification of finances.

If you have another type of nonimmigrant status, you need to submit a photocopy of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and visa stamp, and must indicate if you intend to change to F-1 Student or J-1 Exchange Visitor status. Upon admission and submission of the appropriate financial support documentation, the university will issue you the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility form (I-20 or DS2019).

To enter the United States, international students residing abroad need a passport from their government and a visa from the U.S. Consulate. To obtain a visa for the purposes of studying in the United States, the applicant must present a Certificate of Eligibility form I-20 to the U.S. Consulate. The university’s Office of International Student & Scholar Services will issue this form to admitted students who have:

  1. Confirmed their enrollment online.
  2. Submitted the Certification of Finances to provide proof of having sufficient funds to cover the cost of a program of study.

Your admission to the university may be cancelled if all required materials are not received.

Admitted students who are sponsored by agencies, foundations or their home government, or are participating in an established exchange program may be issued the Certificate of Eligibility form (DS2019) in order to obtain the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.

If you are a Canadian citizen who has been admitted to the university, have confirmed your enrollment and have completed the Certification of Finances, you don’t need a visa. Instead, you are required at the port of entry to present your passport or proof of Canadian citizenship, a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant status (the I-20 or DS-2019 form that the University of Maryland provides) and evidence of adequate funding for your proposed program of study. You will then be issued an I-94 card indicating your student visa status.

Explore

Terps love a challenge. A problem that needs a solution. A barrier that needs breaking down. You are smart, scrappy and determined. You value diversity, innovation, entrepreneurship and imagination. Ready to start your fearless journey?

Be A Terp


Visit

You can only learn so much about a school from a brochure. Even if we tell you how beautiful our campus is, or how fantastic our students and faculty are, you will not know for yourself until you experience it for yourself!

Come try on our campus for size! Stop by one of our top-notch athletic facilities. Have a scoop of homemade ice cream at the Dairy. Rub the nose of one of our beloved Testudo statues for good luck. Get all your questions answered. It won't be hard to picture yourself at home here for the next four years. 


Please visit our updates page for information regarding visit opportunity changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Virtual Visit

Unable to make it to campus? Explore our beautiful campus from anywhere in the world!

Virtual Tour

 

Apply

You've done your research and explored your options, and you know that UMD is the perfect place for you. Now it's time to apply. 

COMMON APP >>   StandOut Admissions Network >>

Freshman applicants can apply using either the Common App or StandOut Admissions Network platforms. At this time, transfer applicants can only apply using StandOut Admissions Network.

Finance

Consistently ranked as one of the best values in public higher education, you can rest assured that you will receive an affordable world-class education.

College is a major investment for you and your family. The university is here to help. We offer an array of financial aid programs—including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment—as part of our commitment to making an excellent education affordable.


ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE:

State of Maryland Residents   Non-Maryland Residents


The University of Maryland has launched a new investment in need-based financial aid, the Terrapin Commitment program, which will provide up to $20 million annually for students from the state of Maryland.

The goal of the Terrapin Commitment program is to reduce the gap between a student’s total financial aid package and the cost of an education. The program will begin in January 2023 and ensures that tuition and fees are fully covered for Pell eligible, in-state students, who are enrolled full time and have unmet financial need. More details can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid's website.

Enroll

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Maryland! We are excited to welcome you into our world of fearless ideas.

You’ve received your admission letter, checked out your major and started celebrating with family and friends. To make enrollment official, check out information for newly admitted students to get everything you need to start your academic career at UMD. 

ENROLL (Freshman)    ENROLL (Transfer)