Tuition and Fees

As a public honors university attracting outstanding faculty and very talented students, UMBC is a great higher-education value. This chapter details the university’s tuition and fees and describes typical expenses for housing, meals and textbooks.

NOTE: Not withstanding any other provision of this or any other university publication, the university reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees and other charges at any time such changes are deemed necessary by the university and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes

To extend the benefits of its system of higher education while encouraging the economical use of the State’s resources, it is the policy of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland (USM) to recognize the tuition categories of in-state and out-of-state students for the purpose of admission and assessing tuition at USM institutions. The USM Policy, with criteria, may be found at http://www.usmd.edu/regents/bylaws/SectionVIII/VIII270.html.

To review veterans and military personnel benefits afforded by law and the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes, please see Military Personnel and Veterans . 

Useful information, Q&A, and UMBC’s procedures for Petitioning for In-State reclassification may be found at http://registrar.umbc.edu/services/residency/

Application Fee

The non-refundable $75 application fee for undergraduate programs and summer and winter sessions helps defray the cost of processing UMBC admissions. By written request, students may update their applications by one semester or term without paying an additional application fee.

Enrollment Fee

A non-refundable $200 enrollment confirmation deposit is required of all new degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students. This deposit is applied toward tuition and fees.

Orientation Fee

A non-refundable $225 orientation fee is required of all enrolling, degree-seeking undergraduate students their first semester at UMBC. Students are responsible for paying the orientation fee regardless of attendance at the mandatory new student orientation programs.

Matriculation Fee

A non-refundable $100 matriculation fee will be charged to all undergraduate, degree-seeking students, their first semester at UMBC.

Tuition and Fees 

Please use the figures below as a guide, but be aware that these figures will change. Please visit sbs.umbc.edu/tuition-info/ for each semester’s current charges.

Full-time

Expenses for full-time undergraduates enrolled for 12 or more credits:

Maryland Residents (In-State)

Residents of other states and countries (Out-of-State)

Part-time

Mandatory fees for part-time undergraduates enrolled in fewer than 12 credits (those taking 12 or more credits in a regular semester pay full-time fees):

Maryland Residents (In-State)

Non-resident tuition (Out-of-State)

Explanation of Mandatory Fees

Non-refundable Athletic fee supports intercollegiate athletics and recreation including club sports, intramurals, fitness programs and open facility usage.

Non-refundable University Commons fee supports services and programs available at The Commons.

Non-refundable Transportation fee supports the maintenance of parking facilities, shuttle buses and the campus program of traffic control.

Student Activities fee covers the costs of various student activities and student publications administered by the Student Government Association.

Auxiliary Facilities fee supports the development and maintenance of facilities essential to UMBC’s programs.

The Technology fee supports the computer infrastructure on campus: computer networking, internet infrastructure, myUMBC portal, site, student labs, wireless systems and the Information Technology Help Desk

International Student Fee - (New Fee as of Fall 2019) - Charged each semester for Undergraduate and Graduate International Students.

Other Fees

University Health Services Fees

Fees are charged to students receiving services at University Health Services. International students on certain non-immigrant visas are required to have health insurance and will be charged appropriately each semester. To determine the exact amount and conditions that apply, and for more information on Health Services fees, please contact University Health Services at 410-455-2542.

Shriver Center Programs Fees

The Shriver Center requires a fee for enrollment in a mandatory practicum course linked to all center programs, including cooperative education, internship, community service and learning, and international work and service programs. For more information on Shriver Center charges, please visit shrivercenter.umbc.edu.

Course and Materials Fees

Some courses may have additional course and materials fees that are not outlined in this publication. Please consult the Schedule of Classes for specific information.

Audit Fees

Audited courses are charged at the same rate (tuition and fees) as per-credit courses.

Golden ID Program Fees

Tuition is waived for Golden ID students.

Golden ID students are responsible for the fees below:

Golden ID Degree-Seeking

Golden ID Non-Degree Seeking

Please note that Golden ID students may also incur course fees, materials fees, lab fees, etc., and those fees are the responsibility of the student.

Please refer to the “Admissions to UMBC ” section of the catalog, for admission requirements for Golden ID students.

Expenses

Lodging and Meals per Semester

Students living in residence halls are required to have a meal plan. Students living in the residence apartments are not required to have a meal plan, however many elect to do so.

Estimates (Based on actual Fall 2020 rates)

Residence Halls

Note that a communications fee is included (in each room rate above) that covers cable and high speed internet.

For additional information on Residence Halls, please visit http://reslife.umbc.edu/.

Meal Plans

For additional information on meal plans, please visit https://new.dineoncampus.com/umbc.

Textbooks and Supplies

Please visit UMBC Bookstore http://bookstore.umbc.edu for information on textbooks and supplies. 

Billing

Billing is electronic. Students receive emails when e-bills are available online and access them through myUMBC. Other Payers (parents, spouses,etc.) can be granted access (by students) to view e-bills and to make payments online.

Bills may be paid online by credit card, electronic checks (ACH), International Wires and Campus Cards. A processing fee of 2.75% is charged on credit card payments. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted online. There is no charge to pay by ACH or Campus Card.

Cash, Campus Cards, personal checks and money orders are accepted in person at the Cashier’s Office. The Cashier’s Office does not accept credit card payments. Payments are not accepted by telephone.

For more information please visit sbs.umbc.edu.

Monthly Payment Plan

The university offers a monthly payment plan for Fall, Summer and Spring. The monthly payment plan is available for those who find it more convenient to pay tuition, fees, room and board, in installments There is a nominal fee (charged per term) to enroll in the monthly payment plan.

For more information, please visit sbs.umbc.edu/payment-plan/.

Refunds

In most cases, when financial aid awards exceed the amount owed, or an overpayment is received, a refund will be generated. All student refunds are processed electronically (e-refunds). Students choose e-refund delivery option that best fits their needs. Plus loan refunds are generated (in the parent’s name) via paper check, and mailed to the parent’s address on the Plus loan application. If parents designate their refunds to go to the student, Plus loan refunds will be processed electronically (via e-refund) and deposited as per the delivery option chosen by the student. For more information on refunds please visit sbs.umbc.edu/tuition-info/refunds/.

Entrance Counseling

Students accepting Stafford loans must complete entrance counseling prior to the first disbursement of their loans. For more information on entrance counseling for Stafford loans, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship at 410-455-2387 or visit financialaid.umbc.edu 

Fines and Penalties

Late Payment Fee

Late payment fees are assessed monthly on balances not paid by the due date. Please visit sbs.umbc.edu/billing/late-fees/ for the late payment fee policy.

Late Registration Fee

A late registration fee is charged when registering the first day of the semester and later.

Change Registration Fee

A change registration fee is charged each time that changes are made to registration after the 10th day of class.

Replacement of Campus Card Fee

A replacement card fee is charged to replace a lost Campus Card.

Payment Plan Administrative Fee

An administrative fee of $20.00 is charged when students are dropped from the Monthly Payment Plan for non-payment. 

Parking Fines

Parking fines are billed by Parking Services and will not appear on student accounts. For specific details on Parking fines and billing of those fines, please visit: www.umbc.edu/parking or contact Parking Services at 410-455-2551.

Returned Payment Fees

The returned check fee of $30.00 is assessed when personal checks (or online check payments - ACH) are returned unpaid. Additionally, a “Cash Only” flag may be placed on the student account, restricting payments to cash, money orders and official bank checks in person and credit card payments online.

Library Fines

Library fines are billed by the Library. For specific information on library fines charged and payment of those charges, please visit http://library.umbc.edu/circulation.php.

Please visit sbs.umbc.edu for information on other fees.

Student Debts to the University

Debts to the university (including debts at the collection agency) must be paid in full before university services such as registration and requests for official transcripts and diplomas, will be granted.

University services (registration, official transcripts, diplomas, etc.) will also be denied for students with past due/defaulted Perkins loans and for Perkins loan recipients who have not completed all loan requirements (exit counseling, return of required documentation, etc.).

Please note that refunds or payments due to students may be applied to existing debts at the university and at the collection agency.

Uncollected debts will be turned over to the Central Collections Unit (CCU). Accounts transferred to CCU will be reported to the Credit Bureaus and assessed a minimum collection fee of 17 percent of the outstanding debt, plus attorney and court fees, if applicable. The university and CCU reserve the right to make changes in fees and other charges as may be deemed necessary to collect the debt. These fees are the student’s responsibility.

Refund of Tuition & Fees

Billing may change as a result of adding/dropping courses or withdrawing from the university. In some cases, students may be entitled to refunds of tuition and refundable fees (based on the schedule below) for term withdrawals and for dropping individual classes (Fall and Spring semesters). Please note that a stop payment on a check, failure to pay the semester bill or failure to attend classes does not constitute withdrawal from the university. If a student is compelled to leave UMBC at any time during the semester, he or she must complete requirements for withdrawal as stipulated by the Registrar’s Office.

This refund schedule below applies both to dropping individual classes and withdrawing from the university in the Fall and Spring terms. Please visit sbs.umbc.edu/tuition-info/ for Summer and Winter session refund schedule.

Percentage of tuition & fees refunded (excluding non-refundable fees) once term begins:

Please visit sbs.umbc.edu/tuition-info/ and select a specific term to view the tuition and fees refund schedule for that term.

Calculation of Title IV Refunds for Students Who Withdraw

The Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy mandates that students who officially or unofficially withdraw from all classes during a semester may only keep the financial aid they have “earned” up to the time of withdrawal. Financial aid funds that were disbursed in excess of the amount “earned” must be repaid. Calculations are done on a case-by-case basis after the withdrawal date is established.

Federal financial aid includes:

• Pell, SEOG and TEACH grants
• Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans

The federal calculation determines the amount of Title IV aid the student is eligible to retain; however, the amount the student is charged for the semester is based on the Institutional Refund Policy. The application of these policies may result in the student owing a balance to the university that cannot be covered by Title IV financial aid.

For additional information about the Return of Title IV Aid policy, please visit the financial aid website at financialaid.umbc.edu/withdrawal