Golden ID

The Golden ID program of the UMB School of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore offers academic opportunities for eligible Maryland residents at a greatly reduced cost.

If admitted, Golden ID students may receive certain tuition benefits. Golden ID students are also entitled to library, lab and recreational facility use.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Golden ID benefits, you must be admitted to eligible degree programs of School of Graduate Studies. You must meet the admissions requirements of the program as well as those of the Graduate School.

In addition, you must:

  • Be a legal resident of Maryland
  • Be at least 60 years of age
  • Be retired
  • Not employed full-time, in accordance with the provisions of this Policy (“Qualified Senior Citizen”)
    • Qualified Senior Citizens are defined a) residents of the State of Maryland, (b) sixty years of age or older, (c) retired, (d) whose chief income is derived from retirement benefits, and (e) who are not employed full-time, in accordance with the provisions of this Policy.

When you apply for Golden ID benefits, the Office of the Registrar may also request:

  • A photocopy of your Maryland driver’s license and/or passport to validate birth date and residency
  • A photocopy of social security or pension statements and/or letter from former employer to validate retirement/employment status

You may review the entire University System of Maryland (USM) policy here.

Applying for Admission

  1. To request a tuition waiver under this Policy as a Qualified Senior Citizen an individual must complete an application for classification for in-state status and provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that the individual meets all of the Requirements stated in Part I of the policy and procedure.
  2. The individual must also complete the UMB Golden ID Application PDF PDF and submit all required documentation.
  3. The UMB Registrar will determine if the individual meets the initial requirements. The determination of the Registrar is final. UMB will make its own determination and is not required to accept a determination made by any other constituent institution of USM.
  4. If the Registrar determines that the individual is eligible for waiver under Part I of this Policy, the individual and school/program will be notified of the students’ eligibility as a Qualified Senior Citizen.

Benefits

Golden ID students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, are entitled to waiver of tuition for up to 3 courses per term. Total benefits cover the university tuition only. Expenses such as university fees and library fees are not covered by Golden ID benefits and are the student’s responsibility. Not all academic programs are eligible for Golden ID benefits. Please inquire with registrar@umaryland.edu about the eligibility of individual programs.

Eligible Programs

MS in Health Science, MS in Health Professions Education, MS in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership, MS in Gerontology, and MS in Global Health. 

Ineligible Programs

  • MSHS Physician Assistant Program
  • MS in Forensic Medicine
  • PhD Health Professions Education
  • Global Health Innovation post baccalaureate certificate and its use as an area of concentration in any associated the School of Graduate Studies MS.
  • Any program under two years old is also excluded.  
  • Post-Baccalaureate certificates:
    • Aging and Applied Thanatology*, Global Health Innovation*, Global Health Monitoring and Evaluation*, Global Health Systems*, Implementation and Dissemination Science*, Integrative Health and Wellness*, Intercultural Leadership*, Medical Physics*, Research Administration*, Research Ethics*, Science Communication*, Scientific and Medical Entrepreneurship*

*Denotes certificate program 

Please inquire with registrar@umaryland.edu about the eligibility of individual programs not listed. UMB reserves the right to exclude other programs from Golden ID eligibility.