Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates! 

Amna Ali, '20, Business Technology Administration

Mark Friedman, '20, Political Science

Christan Malenia Dior Wallace, '20, Social Work

Madhia Zaid, '20, Biological Sciences

First-generation college graduates were featured in UMBC's magazine in November and received a special green and blue cord in the mail, with the following message:

It's Official #FirstGenGrad

Being a first-generation college graduate is a big deal!  You are the start of a whole new legacy and have claimed your future.  UMBC is proud of to have been part of your journey and encourages you to extend beyond!

You are #First in so many ways.  This graduation cord recognizes your outstanding achievements and its colors are intentional:

Blue represents the wisdom that you have acquired throughout your college career. 

Green represents the enormous growth and progress that you have exhibited in both your character and your academics.  

Congratulations #UMBCFirstGen

Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates! 

In honor of December graduation, we'd like to introduce a few of our first-gen grads, in their own words: 

Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates! 

In honor of December graduation, we'd like to introduce a few of our first-gen grads, in their own words: 

My name is Madhia Zaidi. I am graduating with a B.A. in Biological Sciences. I went to Howard Community College before UMBC. I was attracted to UMBC based primarily on the academic reputation for my major as well as knowing several others from my high school whom I respected attending here ahead of me. This university has a very strong school of sciences, and I wanted to study under the best minds in the country.

The people that supported me while I was at UMBC were my family and friends. They helped me stay focused on my goals and supported me throughout my time at UMBC. I specifically want to mention my mother who stood next to me and pushed me to achieve my goals meanwhile she takes care of my kids relentlessly. 

I would say the experiences that helped me prepare for my goals after UMBC would be the lab classes and certain classes I took the last couple of semesters. They provided some hands-on experience that I feel is essential for acquiring a good job and help me grow as a person.

After graduating from UMBC, I plan on applying to physician assistant school. I’m going to shadow some doctors and get some working experience before I apply so I’m better prepared for the next chapter of my life.

This picture is me with my daughter. She is my strength and because of my children I want to be successful and achieve my goals so one day they are proud of me. I read it somewhere “success is a journey not a destination” and absolutely love this quote. 

Continuing Student Checklist

This checklist is for those students who have completed at least one semester while using their military education benefits at UMBC.

NOTE: Returning students need to submit the Request for Certification each semester that they are enrolled in classes.

1. Register for Classes

2. Submit your Request for Certification. You will submit this form to us with your “Certificate of Eligibility” once you have registered for classes for the upcoming semester.  It can be found at veterans.umbc.edu/forms or linked HERE

3.  If you change the number of credits that you have registered for, you will need to resubmit your Request for Certification with your updated credits. Please submit this form AS SOON AS you change your schedule to avoid debts from the VA

Spring 2021 Registration and Certification Information and Updates

As we wrap up the Fall 2020 semester and look ahead to Spring 2021, would like to take this opportunity to go over a few friendly registration and VA-related reminders and dates to help ensure your success.

Advance registration for the Spring 2021 semester has concluded. Below are some helpful resources if you still need to register or adjust your schedule.

Registration Information
Registration Deadlines
Departmental Advising Information

Please remember: VA certification requests for the semester should be submitted as soon as possible after you have registered for classes. Initial certification for books and housing will take place within 14 business days after receiving your request.

The final certification process for tuition and fees for all VA students begins following the add/drop deadline and can take up to 30 days. This does not include VA processing time to send tuition payment to UMBC which can additionally take 3-4 weeks.

Students using GI Bill® benefits wishing to register for upcoming terms with an overdue balance for the current term can contact the VA Certifying Official requesting permission to register.

Additional Information

With regards to questions pertaining to book and housing allowance payments due to COVID, law S.3503 provides the VA with temporary authority to continue GI Bill® payments uninterrupted during an emergency. The law allows the VA to pay education benefits regardless of the fact that a program has been converted from in-person to online modality. These special COVID rules have been extended to December 21, 2021.

Please be mindful that all classes taken must be required towards the degree being pursued as shown in your degree audit. You should consult with your academic advisor if you have questions regarding degree requirements. You can also contact the Registrar’s Office degree audit team.

As always, we work closely with the VA to ensure enrollments are accurately certified and processed. Should you have questions about the certification process, please reach out to our VA certifying official. Your patience during peak times is greatly appreciated. Best wishes for a safe and successful semester..

Introducing Kabira Barlow! 

Kabira works in the Department of Theatre after graduating in 2018 from American University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She hopes to return to school for her Master’s in Strategic Communications and Work in entertainment.

“I really struggled when I first got to university because I felt like a small fish in such a big pond. I had also placed a lot of pressure on myself to make my family proud. It got a lot easier when I stopped thinking of attending school as a first-generation student in the context of something I was doing for my family, but instead framing it as something I was doing for myself. I wish I had someone to tell me about the emotional and mental toll university can have and how important self-care is as a student.

Read more at the firstgen.umbc.edu website

Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates! 

In honor of December graduation, we'd like to introduce a few of our first-gen grads, in their own words: 

Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates! 

In honor of December graduation, we'd like to introduce a few of our first-gen grads, in their own words: 

My name is Amna Ali and I’m graduating from UMBC this December in Business Technology Administration. Before UMBC, I graduated from Alrahmah School and transferred to UMBC from CCBC.

Getting accepted to UMBC was a really happy moment for my parents and I. I was eager to start my journey and also very nervous about the change coming in my life. I still remember my excitement when I received that big UMBC envelope. The first thing I did was go stick my UMBC decal on my car to show my UMBC pride and to express my excitement and happiness. UMBC always felt like home. A lot of my cousins went to UMBC and every time I would visit them on campus, I knew that I wanted to attend this university. It always felt welcoming and I always saw so much diversity. I always loved attending campus events and seeing the campus grow and see so many different people from different backgrounds getting to know each other and building great relationships.

My professors were really supportive throughout my journey. They were always there to help whenever I went to them. They all pushed me to my limits to succeed and do well. All professors were open to office hours and always there to help. Class projects were something I never looked forward to. However, mostly all my classes required that. I’m so glad that professors picked our groups and made us work with people we weren’t familiar with. It has really helped with my communication skills and has prepared me for the real world. I’ve also met so many people through those experiences that are now my lifetime friends. 

When starting at UMBC I also started working at the Academic Success Center and that was one of the biggest blessings. Each and every individual there helped me with my success at UMBC. I faced a lot of hard times in the process of getting my degree, and they were always there to motivate me and help me through my next steps to get to the finish line; always guiding me, and telling me what to do. I am so glad I got this opportunity and will really miss attending UMBC and working at the ASC. 

After graduation, I plan to work full time and then apply for grad school. I’m really excited to do my masters and also look forward to doing that at UMBC. I’m excited to put all the skills and education that I was fortunate enough to receive at UMBC into my career.