Resources and Support for the Semester Ahead

Dear colleagues,

As we approach the final stretch of summer, I know many of you are already looking ahead to the fall semester. September will bring the return of our students, the beginning of new projects and the continuation of beloved traditions.

I also know that as part of your planning, support and care remain top of mind for yourself, your students and your colleagues. This is a time of transition, not just on campus but across the country, and campus leaders understand that changes at the federal level can have implications for our work and our community.

Today, I’m writing to remind you of the important university resources available to you.

Information Hub

As federal policies continue to evolve, please be sure to visit our Federal Updates webpage, which is updated regularly. This resource will help keep you informed as we move through changes together.

Student Federal Financial Aid

On July 4, 2025, new federal legislation was signed into law that will significantly impact financial aid beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. These changes include updates to eligibility criteria, adjustments to Pell Grant amounts, new loan limits for Parent Plus loans, and the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program for new graduate borrowers.

Please note that these changes will not affect financial aid awards for the 2025-26 academic year. Our Office of Student Financial Aid is closely monitoring guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and is committed to supporting students and families through this transition.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. For additional information, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid's website or the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Funding Impacts

In June, we shared updates on the University's fiscal year 2026 budget. We recognize the challenges that the current budget environment represents for our entire community. Without question, we remain focused on fulfilling the commitments outlined in the Fearlessly Forward strategic plan, and we are steadfastly dedicated to teaching, research, scholarship and service for the public good. Additionally, ongoing changes at the federal level continue to impact research funding. If you receive a notice from a federal agency that your funding has been paused, terminated or altered, please remember to contact the Office of Research Administration before taking any action.

International Community Members

Our international students, faculty and staff are a vital part of our university, and we remain committed to providing updated information and resources.

Our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team continues to monitor the evolving landscape and works directly with affected individuals to offer personalized guidance and support. ISSS also holds regular drop-in hours and is available for individual consultations.

If you have questions or need assistance, we encourage you to connect with ISSS.

Well-being Resources

We recognize that times of change and uncertainty can impact our overall well-being. The university offers comprehensive resources to support you.

Our Faculty Staff Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and support services for employees, while the Counseling Center and Health Center offer services and programs for students and the broader campus community.

Taking care of yourself enables you to better support your fellow Terps. We encourage you to explore these resources and take advantage of the support available to you. For additional information, please visit our campus well-being resources website.

Looking Forward

Ultimately, our strength as a university lies in how we care for each other and our commitment to living out our academic, research and service mission. We are a community that supports one another and approaches each new academic year with Terrapin Pride.

As we look forward to the semester, I'm deeply grateful for your ongoing commitment to our community.

Sincerely,