Maryland Transfer Advantage Program

To be eligible for MTAP, students should have graduated from high school and must be enrolled at one of the MTAP partner community colleges listed below. This program is geared towards students who intend to complete 30 credits or an associate’s degree at a participating community college, then transfer to UMD to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Participating Community Colleges:

• Anne Arundel Community College
• Carroll Community College
• Cecil College
• Chesapeake College
• College of Southern Maryland
• Community College of Baltimore County
• Frederick Community College
• Harford Community College
• Howard Community College
• Montgomery College
• Prince George’s Community College
• Wor-Wic Community College

The following types of students are ineligible to apply to MTAP. Please review our MTAP FAQs for more information.

• Spring admitted freshman
• Students who are re-enrolling at UMD
• Students currently enrolled at a four-year institution
• Students who have been academically dismissed from UMD
• Students who apply for MTAP and admission to the university at the same time
• High school students who are dually enrolled at a community college
• Students who have previously earned a bachelors degree

Application Requirements

In order to apply to MTAP, the following items need to be submitted:

• An MTAP application, submitted by the appropriate deadline
• Verification of your enrollment at a participating community college
• Official transcript (if you've completed at least one semester at the community college)

Once you've submitted your MTAP application, your community college will be informed and asked to provide enrollment verification for the upcoming term, as well as your official transcript.

After the above items are received, your MTAP application will be complete and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will review your application. Students with a completed application, per the requirement above, are notified of their MTAP admission decision 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. These notifications will be sent to the email provided in the application.

MTAP Timeline

To determine when you should apply to MTAP, we encourage you to work with a community college counselor. It can be helpful to work backwards from the semester you wish to transfer to UMD. 

You may apply from the time you are admitted to a participating community college until the MTAP deadline prior to your last semester.

• Apply to MTAP | Deadlines are June 1 and November 15.
• Participate in MTAP | You can take courses at UMD during the summer or winter terms.
• Complete MTAP Requirements & Apply to UMD | Early action deadlines are March 1 for fall admission and August 1 for spring admission.
• Transfer to UMD | You can transfer for the fall or spring semester.

If you're applying for MTAP prior to earning grades for any credits, you would likely be eligible to transfer to UMD while in progress of your third semester.

MTAP Application

Submit the MTAP Application by November 15.

MTAP students are eligible to take UMD courses, during the winter and summer terms only, at a 25% reduced tuition rate. Students are limited to one course per term. Among other campus resources, MTAP students will have access to transfer advising resources, the university library system, athletic events, Shuttle-UM buses and the Eppley Recreation Center.

Complete the Course Interest Survey by October 23 for Winter 2023-24.

Students must participate in MTAP for a minimum of one semester before transferring to UMD. To complete the program requirements and successfully transfer to UMD, students should work closely with their community college counselor to meet the following minimum criteria:

• Complete 30 college credit hours or earn an associate’s degree from an MTAP partner community college
• Complete fundamental studies in English and mathematics*
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a B average from all previous institutions attended
• Adhere to all admission policies in addition to the academic stipulations already listed
• Submit a completed UMD transfer application by the early action deadline following the semester in which you’ll complete all MTAP requirements
  • MTAP applicants are required to submit updated official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
    

*AP/IB credits can be used to satisfy the Fundamental English & Math courses required for MTAP, however, they will not count towards the overall 30 college credit hours required to complete MTAP or apply for transfer admission. The 30 college credits must be completed post high school graduation. Original AP/IB test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Additionally, credits earned at another two- or four-year institution can be used to meet the MTAP requirements, as long as the last 15 credits are completed at one of the participating community colleges.

The Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and University (ARTSYS) and Transfer Credit Services websites provide information on how courses from any Maryland college or university and/or any AP/IB credits may transfer to UMD.