Winter Session

Winter Session is a 3-week term that is part of the Approved Semester Calendar. Winter Session has a specific start and end date with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications. 

Non-standard offerings must occur within Winter Session’s specific start and end date so as not to interfere with the fall semester calendar (classes and finals) and the spring semester calendar (beginning with the first day of classes).

For specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications, see Winter Session - Academic and Financial Deadlines.

Students use Winter Session to meet pre-requisites, repeat a course, fulfill General Education or major requirements, reduce their course load for an upcoming semester, take a course that is usually filled in fall or spring semester, prevent academic dismissal, or to graduate on-time. Over 97% of those enrolled in Winter Session are UMD students and over 65% are rising juniors or seniors.

Academic units should review enrollments for courses in the previous Winter Session as well as review courses with waitlists from the past fall and spring semesters to consider the potential demand. Academic units should offer courses that are especially suited to the 3-week condensed format.

In Winter Session, academic units offer approved courses that meet General Education or major requirements, internships, and special topic courses that are suited for a three-week session. In addition, academic units can develop and offer special offerings such as a course-program that targets a specific audience. Courses (300-level and above) can be offered at the Universities of Shady Grove or the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland. Such offerings are part of the overall Winter Session portfolio and distribution. Academic units scheduling in-person classes at these locations are responsible for obtaining classroom space and securing all necessary arrangements.

Courses offered in Winter Session must meet the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) policies on "contact hours".  Online delivery is encouraged; in-person delivery is welcomed. 

For complete information on syllabi, textbooks, final grades, inclement weather and more, see the Office of Faculty Affairs – Teaching Policies and Guidelines. 

For Winter Session, students are assessed tuition, mandatory services fees, and if approved, course fees or program fees.

Tuition

Assessed at the University-approved per credit rate based on student status (graduate or undergraduate) and residency (in-state or out-of-state).  

• Determination of residency status is made according to the Board of Regents Policy on Student Residency Classification. 

Mandatory Services Fees

• Assessed for classes that meet on campus, even if just one class meeting.
• Distance learning fee: Assessed for classes that meet 100% online or offsite such as an internship.

Course Fees

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

Program Fees

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

Student Payment Schedule

The payment schedule for registration associated with classes offered in Winter Session is in alignment with University protocols and is posted at Winter Session Academic and Financial Deadlines.

Financial Aid, Tuition Remission, Third-Party Billing, EXST Grant

• Financial aid is limited to UMD degree-seeking students. The Office of Student Financial Aid provides assistance on all financial aid-related questions.
• 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.
• Students who rely on others to pay their tuition use Student Financial Services – Third Party / Sponsored Billing.
• The EXST Grant supports eligible UMD degree-seeking students as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Extended Studies Administrative Fee  

• For provided administrative services, EXST charges a per seat fee.
• The Provost-approved fee is adjusted annually. Contact exst@umd.edu for more information.

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  

• Winter Session net revenue is distributed by March 1 to the Provost and College Deans.
• Based on the historical average (2008-2021), the Provost has received @21% and College Deans @79%.  
• Each College has its own formula for distribution to departments.

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 Winter Session, academic units use winter@umd.edu (general questions) or winter-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related), or exst@umd.edu.