UMD LAUNCHES New Terrapin Commitment Grant Program

Written By: Heather McHale

The University of Maryland’s strategic plan makes a bold claim: “We invest in people and communities.” This semester, the University is upholding that promise by launching a new program, the Terrapin Commitment, to provide additional need-based financial aid to Pell Grant-eligible UMD students from Maryland—including those at the IAA.

Under the Terrapin Commitment, which took effect in January 2023, tuition and fees are fully covered for full-time, Pell Grant-eligible in-state students who have unmet financial need. After the student’s other funding sources—including grants, scholarships, and their FAFSAcalculated expected family contribution—are applied, the Terrapin Commitment program will pay any remaining cost for tuition and fees. After covering tuition and fees, the program will cover 50% of the remaining unmet need, up to the cost of room and board.

For many students in the state of Maryland, this program can help bypass some of the financial obstacles to pursuing higher education. The Terrapin Commitment is the largest single-year investment in need-based scholarships in the history of our university. At the IAA, we are excited about the role it can play in our ability to provide a top-quality land-grant education for students all over the state who want to study agriculture.

In order to be considered, all students have to do is complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or—for students who are ineligible to use the FAFSA—the Maryland State Financial Aid Application. For full-time, in-state students who qualify, the Terrapin Commitment funding will automatically be extended. The funding is renewable as long as the student completes the FAFSA or MSFAA each year and maintains satisfactory academic progress (at least a 2.0 GPA).

The IAA is proud to be part of the University of Maryland—as the UMD strategic plan says, we are “an institution of change and progress and a proud land-grant flagship campus dedicated to the public good.” Preparing students for agricultural careers is our part of that mission, and we’re delighted that the Terrapin Commitment could help reduce financial barriers and help many students access a world-class education at the IAA.