The sections below offer links to a range of websites that can assist you in this process.

Maryland State Aid

A variety of scholarships and grants are available to residents of Maryland. Information, required applications, deadlines, and instructions may be obtained from:

Office of Student Financial Assistance

839 Bestgate Road, Suite 200

Annapolis, Maryland, 21401

www.mhec.state.md.us

Yellow Ribbon Program

MICA is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans.

Yellow Ribbon Program Information

Yellow Ribbon Program Application Form

Tuition Payment Plan

Students can pay charges for a Fall/Spring/Summer term of tuition, fees, room and board in five installments with no interest charged. A one-time application fee of $35 is due upon sign-up. No other fees are assessed if payments are made on time and in full. If you enroll in a payment plan for a term after that term's tuition and fees due date, the outstanding balance may be subject to a Late Payment Fee assessed by MICA.

1. Visit mica.afford.com
2. Select the Academic Year for which you are paying, and click "Enroll."
3. Follow the instructions to complete your plan registration.
4. Your payment plan will be noted on your account after your first payment has been received.

*Families can arrange budget payments based on all of the term charges not paid by other applicable financial aid, or in part, as they prefer. Please contact Student Account Services if you are unsure of the amount owed. Please note that the first payment is due upon enrolling in the plan.

Private Educational Loans

A private educational loan features the student as a borrower. Private educational loans may be more expensive than Federal Grad Plus loans and students should first maximize any eligibility under the Federal Direct Loan programs. Private loan fees and interest rates vary among lenders. All lenders will review the borrow's credit history and may require a cosigner.

There are many reputable Private Education Loan companies. MICA has no preferred Private Loan Lender list, but provides the following lender tools as a good place to start the search.

Many students start by using the Maryland Student Loan Marketplace or the Great Lakes loan selection tool FASTChoice. These private loan comparison tools empower you to take control of the process and make an informed decision in selecting the best private loan for your individual situation. When using the Maryland Student Loan Marketplace you are able to securely submit your personal information only once, and the Marketplace will present personalized loan products and terms for you to sort and compare. The Marketplace keeps your personal information private, so only the lender that you select will contact you.

FASTChoice, powered by Great Lakes loan guarantor and processer, provides data for lenders that do not participate in the Maryland Student Loan Marketplace. FASTChoice also helps you choose the right loan by presenting you with loan details, including eligibility requirements, interest rates, loan limits, and borrower benefits. FASTChoice provides comparison tools for the following private lenders - CitiBank, Citizens, Chase, Sallie Mae, Suntrust and Wells Fargo.

In the current economic and credit market difficulties, private educational loan companies are in a state of change. Make sure to check all lenders' websites for the most current information regarding credit criteria and interest rates.