Student Resources

General Advising

  • The Graduate Assistant (GA) Handbook
    • The GA Handbook is a compilation of University policies and practices governing graduate assistantships. The Graduate School strongly recommends that all GAs become familiar with the Handbook.
  • Issues impacting GAs broadly – GAAC
    • The Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC) was created in accordance with the University System of Maryland (USM) Meet and Confer policy. This policy facilitates formal discussions between Graduate Assistants (GAs) and university administration about employment issues such as compensation and benefits. The Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC) was created in accordance with the University System of Maryland (USM) Meet and Confer policy. This policy facilitates formal discussions between Graduate Assistants (GAs) and university administration about employment issues such as compensation and benefits.
  • Logistics, Contracts:
  • Advisor/Advisee Issues:
    • Associate Dean & Professor of Geography
    • Contact: Dr. Jeff Halverson; jeffhalv@umbc.edu
  • Student Business Services
    • SBS is the office that bills students, collects tuition and fees and issues student refunds. We process student payments, tuition remission, military waivers and post payments to student accounts from outside agencies.
  • Black and Gold Fund
    • The Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund is available to our students based on generous donations to support students through financially challenging circumstances. Funding is limited and priority consideration is given to students who have taken full advantage of other aid options. Please note that this is for tuition assistance only.
  • Retriever Essentials
    • UMBC is proud to launch RETRIEVER ESSENTIALS: a faculty, staff, and student partnership to tackle food insecurity in our university community.
  • Fellowships (Grad school website): 
    • Fellowships, like scholarships, are selective awards granted to graduate students for academic excellence. They are used to fund graduate study, scholarly work, or to provide professional development to an aspiring graduate student. Internal fellowships are offered through UMBC, while external fellowships may be obtained outside the university.
  • Grad Student Emergency Fund 
    • Through a generous donor, up to $500 can be issued to students in immediate financial distress caused by an unforeseen emergency. This includes paycheck delays, loss of job, medical issue, family emergency, etc.
    • Contact: Dr. Jeff Halverson; jeffhalv@umbc.edu
  • PROMISE
    • PROMISE is the hub of professional development for all graduate students and postdocs at UMBC and is a part of a PROMISE network across the University System of Maryland. PROMISE provides a community of learning and support from the time you arrive on campus to the proud day that you depart for the next stage of your career.
  • CIRTL
    • UMBC was pleased to join the CIRTL Network in 2016. Our own graduate students and post-docs will benefit from access to workshops and courses as well as our own contributions to the network. Becoming part of the CIRTL Network has provided a common bond among our various initiatives to produce future faculty who understand education innovations and diversity initiatives. This formalized structure to establish baseline competencies in these areas will allow members of our local “Learning Community” to become practitioners, associates, and scholars in the integration of research, teaching, and learning. CIRTL is an important part of our PROMISE umbrella – which is our hub for graduate student and postdoctoral development.
  • Digital Badges
    • Digital badges are an innovative way to showcase career knowledge, skills and abilities obtained through professional development.
  • Career Center
    • The UMBC Career Center empowers undergraduate and graduate students to actively explore, experience, and succeed in their future careers. Employers, parents, alumni and faculty are critical partners in our work.
  • Your GPC and GPD:
    • If you are concerned about your academic progress and want to discuss it with someone besides your advisor, please make an appointment with your GPD. They are here to help you! See the GPD list to find your GPD
  • Grad School Progressions Team:
  • Black Graduate Student Organization
    • The Black Graduate Student Organization has been established for the expressed purpose of creating community and relationship among all Black Graduate students on the UMBC campus.
    • Contact: Nicole Telfer; ntelfer1@umbc.edu
  • Hispanic Student Union (HLSU)
    • Hispanic Latino Student Union (HLSU) stands for students who are “unidos con tradicion y honor”–that is, students who are united with tradition and honor.
    • Contact: Cristhian Miranda; cmirand1@umbc.edu
  • PROMISE
    • PROMISE is the hub of professional development for all graduate students and postdocs at UMBC and is a part of a PROMISE network across the University System of Maryland. PROMISE provides a community of learning and support from the time you arrive on campus to the proud day that you depart for the next stage of your career.
    • Contact: Robin Cresiski or Yarazeth Medina; promisestaff@gmail.com
  • GEM Fellowship & Bridge to Doctorate Scholars
    • Senior-level LSAMP alliances are eligible for Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) support. BD funding provides eligible students with financial support for two years of graduate study.
    • Contact: Sunji Jangha; sjangha@umbc.edu
  • Meyerhoff Graduate Program
    • The Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program began in 1996 with a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Science. The goal of the program is to increase diversity among students pursuing Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Now in its 22 nd year, the program is open to U.S. students and permanent residents from all cultures and backgrounds who are interested in the advancement of underrepresented groups in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.