Whether you have taken out loans to help cover the costs of college or have already been awarded grants, every student can benefit from scholarships. If you’re interested in reducing out-of-pocket costs in the future, here are a few tips.
Take Advantage of University and State Resources
UMUC offers a number of scholarships based on merit, financial need and program of study. There are renewable scholarships specifically for students pursuing various degrees and scholarships based on major. Search for UMUC scholarships, as well as opportunities from outside organizations, on our Scholarships page. Scholarships are awarded for the academic year on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply early for maximum consideration.
You may also visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission Web site for a full listing of scholarships and grants available to Maryland residents.
Leave No Stone Unturned
There are a seemingly endless number of scholarships available; all you have to do is look for them. Take in account what you’re studying and your hobbies, characteristics, etc., in your search. You can search by interests, and you’ll see there are awards specifically for those fascinated by space, baking, wool, paranormal activity or the Klingon language. From time to time, outside organizations contact UMUC with information regarding scholarships they are offering. UMUC’s eBulletin Board is specifically designed to communicate that information to you. All you have to do is look!
Don’t Disregard Smaller Awards
Students often overlook certain scholarships because the amount awarded seems small. After looking at scholarships worth $1,000 to $10,000, a $250 scholarship may seem like it’s not worth your time. Don’t allow yourself to fall into this trap. Would you think the same if someone offered to pay you $250 just to write a paper about yourself and fill out a form? Chances are you wouldn’t consider it chump change under those conditions.
Pay Attention to the Details
When applying, it can be easy to get lost going through the motions, but the last thing you want to do is take yourself out of the running because of a simple mistake. Keep your information organized, and be sure to read carefully. Take note of the exact requirements, and be aware of deadlines. Before sending your materials, check your application to make sure you’ve filled in every line, and look over your essay for errors.
Start your search today on UMUC’s Scholarships page.
Five Online Etiquette Tips
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Attending school online takes classroom correspondence to a whole new level. It’s important to follow the guidelines of proper online etiquette to ensure good communication between you, your classmates and your teachers.
Although using a more formal tone online might seem unusual at first, by keeping your online conversations respectful and direct, you’ll clear the way for easy communication.
- Respect. Whether the class is online or on-site, respect is essential. It allows all involved parties to focus on the objective and prevents distracting disagreements. Be sure to use a polite tone, read before responding and be constructive with your criticism. It’s important to treat all online interactions the same as face-to-face interactions.
- Use Proper Formatting, Punctuation and Grammar. Though online communication is still new, the same rules of English apply in a classroom setting. Capitalize letters when necessary, use appropriate punctuation and avoid using slang and abbreviations. You’ll not only make your posts easier to read; you’ll demonstrate your professionalism and personal value.
- Be Honest. Because tone is difficult to convey online, sarcasm or humor can easily be misinterpreted. Though you may be tempted to joke around with your classmates, something written for a laugh may offend others. If you are unsure whether your message will be misconstrued, consider using an emoticon to lighten the tone.
- Go to Your Teacher First. If you have a disagreement or issue with a fellow classmate, go to your teacher before the situation escalates. It’s best to make your teacher aware of the situation before it affects the classroom dynamics or the way you engage with your peers.
- Stay on Topic, and Keep it Brief. Online classes require a lot of reading, and when responding, it may be difficult to decide where to start. Focus your comments into short topics to keep the conversation flowing. Avoid being too wordy, and instead say what you need to say without veering off topic.
Although using a more formal tone online might seem unusual at first, by keeping your online conversations respectful and direct, you’ll clear the way for easy communication.
What's with the Name UMUC? A Lot, Actually.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
University of Maryland University College. Two “universities” and a “college”… What’s with that? Well, it may be a mouthful, but our name has special meaning and there’s history behind it.
The “University of Maryland” portion signifies that we are part of the University System of Maryland. We’re pretty sure that’s clear, and we are proud to be part of one of the finest systems in the world. “University College” is an old British term which captures what we do: Take courses and programs from all academic departments and offer them outside of the university's walls and normal class times.
Today, while our name may not seem to make much sense when you first hear it, we are proud of the mission it signifies and what we have been doing for 65 years.
Proud Military Heritage
In 1947, we started offering classes throughout Maryland to meet the needs of people juggling family and work commitments. There was a flood of GIs returning from World War II who were committed to building a better life and a stronger nation through education. We took the lead in educating them. In 1949, at the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, we became the first institution to send a team overseas to teach college classes to active-duty servicemembers. Since this first classroom on a military base in postwar Germany, our faculty has taught (or is still teaching) in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations. We go where we are needed, even if there is a war on.
UMUC remains a leading higher education provider to the U.S. military, enrolling 55,000 active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans and family members. We are proud of our military heritage and are committed to this service.
Setting the Standard for Long Distance Learning
In the 1990s, UMUC took the lead in transforming higher education by becoming the first university in the United States to offer online degree programs. We've opened the door for tens of thousands of students from all over the world—from working professionals to single mothers to military spouses—to pursue a college degree while maintaining their busy lives. Graduates of UMUC’s online programs hail from every state in the U.S. and from 28 countries.
UMUC’s numerous awards for outstanding achievements in distance learning recognize how successfully we have leveraged the potential of the Internet to become the “campus of the 21st century.” Our reputation as a global leader in online education is well-recognized.
Leading the Next Generation of Higher Education
Our innovation, dedication and commitment have paid off for students across the globe. Today, UMUC has the largest enrollment of any public university in the United States, serving more than 92,000 students at more than 150 locations worldwide and online.
University of Maryland University College is a mouthful, to be sure. But our name is supported by our 65 years of delivering quality education—under sometimes difficult circumstances—to students most in need of one. We are extremely proud of our name's significance and every day we endeavor to live up to its promise by continuing to explore innovative ways to expand educational opportunities for people who are already busy with other obligations, wherever they are in the world.
Learn more about UMUC.
The “University of Maryland” portion signifies that we are part of the University System of Maryland. We’re pretty sure that’s clear, and we are proud to be part of one of the finest systems in the world. “University College” is an old British term which captures what we do: Take courses and programs from all academic departments and offer them outside of the university's walls and normal class times.
Today, while our name may not seem to make much sense when you first hear it, we are proud of the mission it signifies and what we have been doing for 65 years.
Proud Military Heritage
In 1947, we started offering classes throughout Maryland to meet the needs of people juggling family and work commitments. There was a flood of GIs returning from World War II who were committed to building a better life and a stronger nation through education. We took the lead in educating them. In 1949, at the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, we became the first institution to send a team overseas to teach college classes to active-duty servicemembers. Since this first classroom on a military base in postwar Germany, our faculty has taught (or is still teaching) in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations. We go where we are needed, even if there is a war on.
UMUC remains a leading higher education provider to the U.S. military, enrolling 55,000 active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans and family members. We are proud of our military heritage and are committed to this service.
Setting the Standard for Long Distance Learning
In the 1990s, UMUC took the lead in transforming higher education by becoming the first university in the United States to offer online degree programs. We've opened the door for tens of thousands of students from all over the world—from working professionals to single mothers to military spouses—to pursue a college degree while maintaining their busy lives. Graduates of UMUC’s online programs hail from every state in the U.S. and from 28 countries.
UMUC’s numerous awards for outstanding achievements in distance learning recognize how successfully we have leveraged the potential of the Internet to become the “campus of the 21st century.” Our reputation as a global leader in online education is well-recognized.
Leading the Next Generation of Higher Education
Our innovation, dedication and commitment have paid off for students across the globe. Today, UMUC has the largest enrollment of any public university in the United States, serving more than 92,000 students at more than 150 locations worldwide and online.
University of Maryland University College is a mouthful, to be sure. But our name is supported by our 65 years of delivering quality education—under sometimes difficult circumstances—to students most in need of one. We are extremely proud of our name's significance and every day we endeavor to live up to its promise by continuing to explore innovative ways to expand educational opportunities for people who are already busy with other obligations, wherever they are in the world.
Learn more about UMUC.
Tips for a Successful Semester Break
Friday, June 1, 2012
With the end of the semester on the horizon, it’s time to consider how you are going to spend your break to prepare for the next semester. To help you get started, we’ve assembled a few tips to get the most out of your break.
Take Time to Re-Charge
You’ve worked hard all semester, and your semester break should, first and foremost, be a time to allow your mind and body to re-charge. The time between semesters will allow you to catch up on the much-needed sleep your body has lost while you were studying for end-of-semester exams and completing final projects.
Why not use this time to catch up on some pleasure reading? Reading is a great way to relax on a warm summer day while keeping your mind active and learning new things.
Analyze Last Semester
After a few weeks have passed since the end of the last semester, take some time to look back and see what worked and what didn’t. How were you studying? What atmosphere worked best for schoolwork? How was your balance between work, family obligations, your social life and schoolwork?
Be honest with yourself while analyzing the past semester, and make notes of what changes you can implement to be a better, more efficient student next semester.
Network
When your main focus is not studying for tests and completing projects, you’ll have more time to network in your field of interest. Semester breaks provide tremendous opportunities to take advantage of an internship or volunteer opportunity. As we’ve talked about in the post How to Gain Professional Experience, internships and volunteering can go a long way when you begin searching for a new job.
Begin Planning for Next Semester
Although it’s important to enjoy your break, you also want to make sure you are fully prepared to hit the books next semester. Look at your analysis of last semester, and make sure you have everything in place to make needed changes. Ensure your schedule is manageable and you have plenty of time set aside for studying.
The more organized you are at the beginning of a semester, the more prepared you will be to handle life’s stresses throughout the semester.
Everyone has their own semester break routines to prepare for the next semester. What tips do you have to share with fellow students on the best way to spend break?
Take Time to Re-Charge
You’ve worked hard all semester, and your semester break should, first and foremost, be a time to allow your mind and body to re-charge. The time between semesters will allow you to catch up on the much-needed sleep your body has lost while you were studying for end-of-semester exams and completing final projects.
Why not use this time to catch up on some pleasure reading? Reading is a great way to relax on a warm summer day while keeping your mind active and learning new things.
Analyze Last Semester
After a few weeks have passed since the end of the last semester, take some time to look back and see what worked and what didn’t. How were you studying? What atmosphere worked best for schoolwork? How was your balance between work, family obligations, your social life and schoolwork?
Be honest with yourself while analyzing the past semester, and make notes of what changes you can implement to be a better, more efficient student next semester.
Network
When your main focus is not studying for tests and completing projects, you’ll have more time to network in your field of interest. Semester breaks provide tremendous opportunities to take advantage of an internship or volunteer opportunity. As we’ve talked about in the post How to Gain Professional Experience, internships and volunteering can go a long way when you begin searching for a new job.
Begin Planning for Next Semester
Although it’s important to enjoy your break, you also want to make sure you are fully prepared to hit the books next semester. Look at your analysis of last semester, and make sure you have everything in place to make needed changes. Ensure your schedule is manageable and you have plenty of time set aside for studying.
The more organized you are at the beginning of a semester, the more prepared you will be to handle life’s stresses throughout the semester.
Everyone has their own semester break routines to prepare for the next semester. What tips do you have to share with fellow students on the best way to spend break?
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