Picture of you doing a plank (the weirder the place, the better!)
Picture of you on one of your walks (if you have a pet with you, make sure to get them in the picture too!)
Picture of your #OOTD for exercising!
Picture of you staying hydrated with your favorite water bottle!
Picture of your favorite pre or post work-out snack!
Picture of yourself doing your favorite yoga/stretch position!
Every semester students must communicate with their academic advisor to get cleared to register for the next semester. But, beyond registration clearance, your academic advisor is a great ally to help answer questions about what courses you should take and how to succeed in your academic and professional goals.
Every department assigns advisors differently. You can find the advising contact for your department online. During Remote Learning, advising may be different, so check this page for key contacts in the colleges and for students exploring majors.
You can find quick, easy-to-understand answers to the most common financial aid questions at the Financial Aid FAQ Page.
Every student at UMBC has an assigned Financial Aid Counselor, based on the first letter of their last name. You can reach your Financial Aid Counselor using the contact page. You can also use the contact form for general inquiries.
Even if you are unsure if you qualify for financial aid, contact your assigned Financial Aid Counselor to see what types of aid are available. UMBC has the Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund that can help with financially challenging circumstances.
UMBC bills students electronically. Paper bills are not issued for tuition and fees. E-bills are available the first business day of each month, and are due on the 20th of each month. Late fees are assessed on the 25th of each month. Students access e-bills by logging into myUMBC, and selecting Billing & Personal Finances under Guide and clicking on Payments & Billing.
Student e-bill payments can be made online or by mail by the due dates. Please call or use these links for help.
Request Help for Students and UMBC Affiliates
Request Help for Parents and Non-UMBC Affiliates
Website: Student Business Services
Contact: Phone 410-455-2288 (M-F 8:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.)
If you have having trouble paying your bill, reach out to Student Business Services and they may be able to help. Consider enrolling in the monthly payment plan early in the semester.
You can reach out to peers in your classes by email and during small group discussions in class. Reach out to your peers and see who would like to study together for your course.
There are many awesome student organizations at UMBC, and they are meeting online. Look through the list here and join the MyUMBC groups related to your interests. You can contact the leaders of the student organizations and introduce yourself.
There are a number of online events you can participate in.
Some key campus groups which have successful online engagement and communities include:
First-Gen Network (first-generation college students, staff and faculty)
Off-Campus Student Services (commuting, transfer, Veterans and adult learners)
Women’s Center (co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities advancing gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective)
Center for Democracy and Civic Life (fostering civic learning and democratic engagement)
i3b – Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (opportunities for students to build their awareness and knowledge of diverse people, cultures and belief system)
The Academic Success Center is UMBC’s centralized academic support hub, and we can get you to the right resources on campus.
Call us Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410-455-2444 or
Email us academicsuccess@umbc.edu
As to not assume that you are familiar with me, it is likely a good idea that I take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Corris Davis, (’98 BS Biological Science , ‘19 Masters of Public Policy), and I am the Director of UMBC’s Office of Academic Opportunity Programs (AOP). AOP houses programs at UMBC such as the First-Gen Network, the LSAMP Program and the McNair Scholars Program that support students who are underrepresented in higher education to achieve their goals. But more importantly, I am a first-generation college grad. The goal of this message each month is to offer words of encouragement, food for thought, and resources for your success. In recognition of Black History Month, I’d like to tell you about a local history maker whose life resonates with me.
The late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, son of South Carolina sharecroppers, who relocated to Baltimore to raise their family, often recounted the experiences of his life that shaped him. Educated in Baltimore City Public Schools, he was initially tracked into a Special Education curriculum. Ultimately, he graduated with honors from Baltimore City College, was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa at Howard University and earned a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. In his early years of politics, he was elected as the first Black Speaker Pro Tempore in the Maryland House of Delegates, a position now held by UMBC Alumna and MD State Delegate Adrienne Jones, ‘76.
It was in his early years that he began to transform his pain to his passion, which became his purpose. He saw his purpose as one of public service. He started in a law career, but after 19 years of practicing law, was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and ultimately, the US House of Representatives. We each will have experiences which shape our path, and trials we’ve already blazed to reach our current place.
Pain
A doctor once told me that pain is one method your body uses to let you know you need a change. For example, for those without nerve challenges, a pebble in your shoe would precipitate a chain of events that culminates in the investigation of the source of the pain and typically, dumping the pebble from your shoe.
While the doctor was speaking of the physical pain that tells you to adjust your physical position, this adage has other applications. Situations that cause physical and/or mental pain call for change. I often hear stories of students choosing a major or a career path because of a life experience that irrevocably changed them, for better or worse. Why do you do what you do? What’s your catalyst?
Passion
What is your passion? For me, the pain of seeing others not have the same educational opportunities I had experienced drove me to a career in higher education. I am passionate about educational access and opportunity for all students. Like me, you may not find your passion in the classroom, but know that the lessons you are learning both in and out of the classroom are shaping and building the toolbox you will use to address your passion. Know that over your life, what you are passionate about may change, but I implore you to examine what pursuits make you happiest and find ways to incorporate them into your life. In an interview with 60 minutes in 2019, Congressman Cummings paraphrased Voltaire in saying “You must cultivate your own garden”. But once your garden is cultivated, what will you do for others?
Purpose
And finally, from that which you are most passionate about, your purpose can arise. Purpose is our why. Some of us have already found our purpose and move toward it everyday. Some of us are still discovering our purpose and that’s ok. What things that make you happy can benefit you and our world? How will you make your mark?
The late Cicely Tyson was recently interviewed and asked a simple question: “When the time comes, what do you want us to remember about you?” Her response: “I done my best...that's all.” How will you do your best? What support do you need?
The First-Gen Network is here to support you in finding resources to help you do your absolute best. A list of UMBC Faculty and Staff who were First-Generation College Students and are eager to assist you in your journey at UMBC can be found on the First-Gen website. There are faculty from various colleges and staff from various divisions and offices.