Terp Young Scholars

TYS takes place in July during Summer Session II-C, a 3-week term. The program follows the dates published in the Approved Semester Calendar and has specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications.

For specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications, see Terp Young Scholars – Program Deadlines.

Participants are admitted as non-degree seeking students to the University of Maryland for the Summer Session. Admission is term-only and does not carry over to any other semester or term. Applicants must be a rising high school sophomore, junior, senior, or graduating senior; and must have an unweighted academic average of 3.0 or better. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their high school transcript (or equivalent) for confirmation. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

During the application process, students select one 3-credit course. In addition, students must select a residential, commuter, or online option. If selecting a course with in-person instruction, the applicant must choose either the Residential Option (not offered summer 2023) or Commuter Option. Students who select a course offered through 100% online instruction can only participate via the Online Option. Each option has additional activities that provide an overview to the university’s campus resources.

Upon admission, student and parent/guardian participate in a confirmation of admission process. Each affirm understanding of FERPA.  In addition, each sign a statement acknowledging understanding of the program’s Code of Student Conduct and Code of Academic Integrity which are based on the University’s standard codes. Finally, each sign a statement acknowledging that the student will earn both credit and grade and that this posts to the student transcript, becoming part of the UMD student academic record.  During the virtual orientation session held before the start of the program, these areas are reviewed to ensure understanding. 

Students are registered for one three-credit university course for which both grade and credits are earned. The course cannot be taken pass-fail or audit. Courses are offered either in-person or 100% online. Classes are taught by UMD instructors and meet every day, Monday – Friday, with meeting times varying according to the specific course.

In-Person Delivery

In-person courses are held in campus classrooms and classes generally meet around three hours a day. There are two program options: commuter or residential (not available for summer 2023). In the commuter option, students live at home and are responsible for daily arrival in time for class meetings. In the residential option, students live in a campus residence hall.

All students participate in scheduled activities that include seminars, workshops, study sessions, and social activities. UMD degree-seeking students (or mentors) are hired to live with the residential participants, provide guidance and supervision, and organize and execute program activities. Mentors also provide guidance and supervision to commuter students. Both the residential and commuter option were first offered in Summer Session 2002.

Online Delivery

Online courses are offered in a synchronous format and participants complete the program 100% remotely. Classes generally meet around three hours a day and students virtually attend classes, study, work on projects, and prepare for exams. In addition, participants virtually participate in activities and UMD degree-seeking students (or mentors) are hired to provide virtual guidance. The online option was first offered in Summer Session 2020.

In September for any given year, EXST invites academic units to participate in TYS for the upcoming Summer Session. Priority is given to repeating courses with high enrollments from previous years. Both in-person and online learning formats are welcomed. As TYS is offered during a 3-week, accelerated term, academic units should offer courses that are especially suited to these condensed formats.  Courses offered in Summer Session must meet the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) policies on "contact hours". 

Academic units are encouraged to permit UMD degree-seeking undergraduates to enroll in these courses as a growing number of four-year institutions are denying transfer of credit if the course has only high school student enrollment.  A separate section is created for the UMD undergraduates, a section note is added, and the sections are shared. 

Overall Requirements

• Academic units must show evidence of the course’s broad appeal to a high school audience.
  • Does the course typically see high enrollment of freshmen and sophomore students?  
  • Has it been offered to a high school audience in the past?
• Courses must be 100 or 200-level (lower level).
• Courses must have VPAC approval prior to being proposed.
• Academic units must identify a back-up instructor in the case the original instructor is unable to teach.
• Courses may not duplicate AP/IB or other commonly-transferred courses (see Prior Learning Credit). 
• A sample syllabus must be provided at the time of the course proposal.
• Academic units should provide details how EXST should market the course to a high school audience. If the academic unit has any current outreach activities, please include this information.

Requirements: In-Person Courses

• Courses delivered in-person (on campus) must be scheduled 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. 
  • Courses may have an additional afternoon component that begin after 1:00 p.m. and end no later than 4:00 p.m.
  • Afternoon components cannot occur on Wednesdays.
  • All students have a one-hour lunch break, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
• The syllabus must include at least one group project on which students work for the duration of the program or a group project for each of the three weeks of the program.

Requirements: Online Courses

• Courses delivered online must include at least 50% synchronous content.
• Online courses must be scheduled between 10:00 a.m. (EST) – 3:00 p.m. (EST), and should include a lunch break if applicable.
• The syllabus must detail how the course builds community, engaging students through group discussion, group assignments, and other practices.

Preferences

• Courses should satisfy at least one General Education requirement.
• Academic units are encouraged to offer courses that do not require additional financial outlays (through the purchasing of supplies or materials).

The academic unit and instructor oversee all aspects of course content and delivery. As in the fall and spring semesters, instructors should follow the information on syllabi, textbooks, grading, inclement weather and more provided at Office of Faculty Affairs – Teaching Policies and Guidelines. Both student and parent affirm their understanding of FERPA. Instructors are under no obligation to engage with a parent/guardian.

For TYS, students are assessed tuition, mandatory services fees, a program fee, and if approved, course fees.

Tuition

Assessed at the University-approved in-state undergraduate per credit rate.  

Mandatory Services Fees

Assessed for course registration based on delivery method (in person or online).

• Campus fee: Assessed for classes that meet on campus, even if just one class meeting. 
• Distance learning fee: Assessed for classes that meet 100% online.

Program Fees

Assessed if student registers for a course with a University-approved program fee. 

•  Residential Program Fee: covers activities, mentors, lodging, and meals.
• Commuter Program Fee: covers activities and mentors.
• Online Program Fee: covers online activities and mentors.

Course Fees

Assessed if student registers for a course with a University-approved fee (lab, studio, materials).

Student Payment Schedule

The payment schedule is posted at Terp Young Scholars – Program Deadlines.

Tuition Remission, Scholarship, and Financial Assistance

• UMD-employees who qualify for tuition remission should contact University Human Resources – Tuition Remission to determine eligibility guidelines. Employees of University of Maryland System schools must contact their institution’s human resources unit for this information. Each institution has their own processes.
• TYS offers a limited number of partial financial scholarships. Awards vary, are competitive, and based on funding availability. For complete information, see Terp Young Scholars – Scholarships.
• Many public school districts offer dual enrollment or early college programs that provide financial assistance. Some school districts limit enrollment to local community colleges while others permit enrollment at colleges/universities. For further information, see Terp Young Scholars – Financial Assistance for Dual Enrollment/Early College.

Extended Studies Administrative Fee  

• For provided administrative services, EXST charges a per seat fee. 
• The Provost-approved fee is adjusted annually and published in the Summer Session Scheduling Guidelines.

Direct Expenses

• Course-related costs includes instructional salaries, fringe benefits, supplies and materials, and the EXST administrative fee.
• Information on allowable expenses are published in the scheduling guidelines.

Net Revenue 

• Distributable tuition revenue less direct expenses.

Distribution 

• Pre-College distribution is part of overall Summer Session.
• Summer Session net revenue is distributed by December 1 to the Provost, College Deans, and Departments. 
• Based on the historical average of total distribution (2008-present), the Provost has received @38%, College Deans @13%, and Departments @50%. 
• Special course-program net revenue is included in the aforementioned.

Overhead

• EXST absorbs the campus overhead rate on all direct expenses.

• For course and program assistance, contact Anne Baum, Associate Director, Summer, Winter, and Undergraduate Programs, at 5-7762 or abaum@umd.edu.
• For budgeting, distribution, and operational assistance, contact Andrew Leighton, Director of Finance and Operations, at 5-0212 or aleighto@umd.edu.
• For Terp Young Scholars, academic units use tys@umd.edu (general questions), summer-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related), or exst@umd.edu.