Special Transfer Agreements
Howard Community College has special transfer agreements with partnering institutions to assist students as they transition to four-year colleges and universities.
Transfer Student Alliance (TSA) with UMBC
If you are interested in attending University of Maryland Baltimore County, consider the Transfer Student Alliance (TSA) program. This is a program for students who intend to complete an associate degree at a Maryland community college prior to transferring to UMBC.
Eligibility
Students are eligible for the TSA program if they:
- Have completed their high school diploma or equivalency
- Have earned between 12 and 35 college-level credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher
Benefits
This member benefit program is not a binding commitment to transfer to UMBC, but rather gives you greater access to UMBC as you continue working toward your associate degree at HCC. TSA membership also guarantees admission, scholarship, and on-campus housing to qualified TSA members upon transfer to UMBC.
Even while you’re still a student at HCC, you will receive:
- $75 transfer admission application fee waiver
- 25% tuition discount for one concurrent UMBC course per semester*
- UMBC Student ID Card**
- Access to UMBC’s campus facilities and services including the computer labs and libraries**
- Participation in student activities at UMBC**
*Available after receiving high school diploma and completing 12 credits or more in good academic standing at a participating community college; not to exceed a total of three discounted courses.
**These benefits are temporarily on hold due to campus access restrictions for COVID-19.
Resources
If you have questions about transferring to UMBC, please reach out to Anna Conger, HCC’s UMBC Admissions representative, at aconger@umbc.edu or schedule a virtual one-on-one appointment.
If you have questions about coursework at HCC in preparation to earn your associate degree, please visit our Pop-In Advising hours. In addition, UMBC's Transfer Central can connect you to more resources to help you plan your transfer to UMBC.
The Maryland Transfer Advantage Program (MTAP) with University of Maryland
The Maryland Transfer Advantage Program (MTAP) provides a pathway for students at participating community colleges to earn an undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland (UMD).
Eligibility
Students are eligible for the MTAP program if they:
- Have graduated high school
- Are enrolled at HCC or one of the program's other partner community colleges
- Apply by June 1 (Fall) or November 15 (Spring)
In order to successfully complete the MTAP requirements, students must:
- Participate in MTAP for at least one semester
- Complete 30 college credit hours (or earn an associate degree) from an MTAP partner community college, such as HCC
- Earn a minimum 3.0 GPA from all previous institutions
- Complete Fundamental Studies Academic English and Mathematics
Benefits
Students are able to take up to 3 courses (one per semester) during the Winter or Summer terms with a 25% reduced tuition rate. This allows students to experience coursework and student life at University of Maryland before making a final transfer decision. If students choose to transfer to UMD upon successful completion of MTAP, they are guaranteed admission if they submit a transfer application by the early action deadline.
Students will also have access to the following:
- Transfer advising resources provided by UMD
- University library system
- Athletic events
- Shuttle - UM buses
- Eppley Recreation Center
Note: MTAP students do not receive special consideration for acceptance into Limited Enrollment Programs or specific majors. MTAP students are also not guaranteed admission to UMD at Shady Grove.
Resources
If you have questions about transferring to University of Maryland - College Park, please reach out to Jill Nagiel, UMD's Pre-Transfer Advisor for HCC, at jnagiel@umd.edu, or schedule a virtual advising appointment. If you have additional questions about coursework at HCC in preparation to earn your associate degree, please visit our Pop-In Advising hours.