Ensuring 100% of tuition and fees are covered for Maryland students with unmet financial need from families making $75,000 or less.
Our Terrapin Commitment
The Terrapin Commitment helps ensure tuition and mandatory fees don’t stand in the way of a world-class education for Maryland students and their families.
See more frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
What Makes Me Eligible?
Maryland residents are eligible for Terrapin Commitment if they:
Have a total family income under $75,000 or are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
Are a full-time, first-degree seeking undergraduate student
Have unmet financial need
What’s Covered?
Terrapin Commitment covers any remaining financial need after all other scholarships and grants are applied to ensure 100% of tuition and fees are covered, and provides a stipend to offset additional costs, such as housing, remaining tuition and fees.
How do I apply?
Eligible students must submit the FAFSA each year before UMD’s priority deadline (March 1) to be considered for Terrapin Commitment. No additional application is required.
total students who received Terrapin Commitment
FY23 - FY25
total Terrapin Commitment funds provided
FY23-FY25
File Your FAFSA by UMD's Priority Deadline (March 1)
Learn more about FAFSAIn alignment with our Fearlessly Forward strategic plan, we continue to find new and meaningful ways to invest in people and communities. Our investments in need-based financial aid better position us to serve the people of our state—opening the door for more Marylanders to attend a world-class flagship institution.
In-state first-degree students who are eligible for Pell Grants regardless of their Total Family Income are eligible, and in-state first-degree students enrolled full-time in a degree or certificate program and who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with unmet financial need and a total family income of $75,000 or less are eligible.
Total Family Income is calculated using the FAFSA data from dependent and independent students. For Dependent students, the student's and the parent's taxable and untaxed income are used in calculating the Total Family Income. For Independent students, the student’s and spouse’s (if applicable) taxable and untaxed income are used in calculating the Total Family Income.
Eligible students must submit the FAFSA each year before UMD’s priority deadline (March 1) to be considered for Terrapin Commitment.
Eligible students who are awarded Terrapin Commitment funding will be notified via their UMD email. The email will direct students to the Financial Aid Portal for further details.
Terrapin Commitment will cover UMD standard in-state tuition and mandatory fees ($12,290 for 2025-26) after using all scholarships, grants, and the student aid index. In addition to providing support to cover tuition and fees, Terrapin Commitment provides additional funds to offset other allowable costs for eligible students with remaining unmet financial need.
Students who meet all the eligibility requirements will be considered for Terrapin Commitment.
Eligible undergraduate students must file the FAFSA each year by March 1 and meet all the eligibility criteria. Recipients must register for a minimum of 12 credits (full-time) per semester (Fall/Spring) and maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above.
For eligible students, we have consolidated UMDG with Terrapin Commitment and awarded it under the Terrapin Commitment program.
