University of Maryland to Offer Application Fee Waiver to U.S. Veterans and Service Members

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Nov. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland is proud to announce a new college application fee waiver for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Driven by the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success--of which UMD is a member--the initiative will allow veterans and current service members to apply for free through the Coalition's online application. The waiver will be available beginning in August 2018 for students applying for the 2019-2020 academic year.

"Given the remarkable service that veterans have provided our country, it's great to be in a position to assist them as they work to further their education," said Shannon Gundy, UMD's director of undergraduate admissions. "It is our hope that the fee waiver provided through the Coalition will encourage veterans to take the step of choosing to apply to Coalition schools that are eager to work with them."

"Finding new ways to support veterans at the University of Maryland is one way we can give back to those who have served our country," said Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, chair of the Veterans Steering Committee and director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union - Center for Campus Life. "We hope that by making the pathway to education more accessible and removing financial boundaries, veterans will continue to choose UMD as the best choice to further their education."

Across the country, Coalition members are working to create more opportunities for veterans to attend and graduate from their colleges and universities.

The University of Maryland currently has more than 1,200 student veterans on campus. The university's Veteran Student Life office offers a hub for resources for student, staff and faculty veterans on campus, and helps support a seamless transition from military life to civilian college life. Programs include health and human services, such as counseling and financial management; transition assistance programs; and Terp Vets, a student-run organization that focuses on outreach, social events and mentorship programs that enhance our student veterans personal and career growth. UMD also has a designated Veterans Center available exclusively for UMD student veterans that offers space to study, receive peer support and interact with fellow veterans.

UMD has been recognized by Military Times on its "Best for Vets: Colleges" list, which recognizes colleges and universities that are a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. UMD was also ranked No. 29 nationally as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Seamlessly integrated into the Coalition's online application, the fee waiver is easy to use. Applicants indicate their status as "currently serving" or "previously served" in the U.S. Armed Forces, and a list of member schools that honor the waiver will be listed. Qualifying students will then automatically bypass the payment screen when they submit their application.

"Our hope is that this waiver will not only inspire more veterans to apply to Coalition schools, but also convey that our members greatly value their service to our country, and now want to serve them. Plus, with their excellent track record of supporting students — and the graduation rates to prove it — Coalition schools are truly smart college choices for veterans," said Annie Reznik, executive director of the Coalition.

The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success is a group of colleges and universities across the U.S. that is committed to making college a reality for all students through its set of free online college planning tools, MyCoalition, that helps them learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.

About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 38,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 60 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.9 billion operating budget and secures $560 million annually in external research funding. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit www.umd.edu.

SOURCE University of Maryland

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