WASHINGTON – The University of Maryland College Park will waive new college application fees for members of the U.S. armed forces starting next fall.
Maryland is a member of the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, and officials said 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.
“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,” the university’s director of undergraduate admissions Shannon Gundy said.
The University of Maryland reports that it currently has more than 1,200 student veterans on campus, and its Veteran Student Life office is a hub for resources for student, staff and faculty veterans that supports the transition from military life to civilian college life.
Its programs include health and human services, counseling and financial management, transition assistance programs and its Terp Vets program, a student-run organization that focuses on outreach, social events and mentorship programs for student veterans.
Maryland also has a designated Veterans Center for student veterans that offers study space, peer support and interaction with fellow veterans.
The university ranked No. 29 nationally on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report. It is also on the Military Times “Best for Vets Colleges” list.
