FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Payroll

How Often are we paid?

We are paid on a bi-weekly basis on Fridays. See pay schedule here.

How do I change my tax withholding?

To change your tax withholdings complete a W-4 Form. Complete the form online and print it out. Submit the orignal to the Business Office. Please remember that it may take 2-3 pay periods for the change to be implemented.

How do I know how much I will receive each pay day?

If you are Graduate Assistant or a 9-month Employee: To determine your gross bi-weekly salary divide your total Academic year salary by 22 pay periods.
If you are a 12-month Employee: Divide your Fiscal year salary by 26.07142857 pay periods, or 26.142857 pay periods during leap year. The outcome is your gross bi-weekly amount
Your net salary is dependent upon the amount of taxes withheld and other deductions such as Health insurance and/or Retirement.

Health Benefits

Where can I get information about the benefits offered by the University?

The University offers a variety of benefits packages to eligible employees. Please click here to find detailed information about the various plans offered.

When do I need to turn in my benefits enrollment form?

You must enroll in the benefit plans within 60 days from your date of hire. After 60 days you may only enroll during the open enrollment period. The plan year is July 1 to June 30, so after the initial 60 days of employment, your coverage would not begin until July1. It is recommended that you enroll within your first week of employment. Please click here for Benefits Enrollment Form.

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is held once a year. During Open Enrollment period all eligible employees are able to change, cancel or add to their existing health coverage. This is the only time you can make a change to your coverage unless you have a qualifying event.

What is a Qualifying Event?

Any change in your family status such as: birth of a child, loss of a dependent, marriage, or divorce, is a qualifying event to make changes to your health coverage. Loss of a spouse's employment that provides for eligible coverage will also qualify. You have 60 days from the occurrence of the event to make changes. All changes to coverage must be consistent with the change in circumstances.

What if I make a mistake in my coverage or change my mind?

Please be very careful when completing the Enrollment form. You cannot make any changes to the enrollment form once it has been submitted to the Benefits Office. If you make a mistake or change your mind, you must wait till the next Open Enrollment to add, cancel or make any changes to your coverage.

When will my coverage become effective?

The State of Maryland Employee Benefits Division processes enrollment forms for two effective dates of coverage during the month. They are the 1st and the 16th of each month. Your effective date will depend on when the first deduction appears on your pay advice (or pay stub). The first deduction occurs after forms are submitted and depend on when the submission time falls within a processing cycle. It usually takes 2 to 3 pay periods for the first deduction to occur. You may receive coverage, if necessary, retroactive to your date of hire by paying the premiums from your date of hire to the date of your first payroll deduction. This is referred to as a retroactive adjustment.

My child is turning 26 and is not enrolled in school, can they stay on my plan? What are my options?

Adult child will be allowed to stay on their parents' plan until the end of the month in which they turn 26 years old. If an adult child is no longer eligible for coverage under the State plan, he/she may be covered under COBRA benefits for up to 36 months.

If I become legally seperated, can I remove my spouse from my coverage?

Yes, your spouse can be removed from your plan within 60 days of the date of your legal separation. Remember, once removed your spouse cannot re-enroll until the next Open Enrollment period.

What happens if I take Leave of Absence or one of my dependents becomes ineligible to continue coverage?

If you take a leave of absence without pay (LAWP), or leave University service, or if one of your dependents becomes ineligible to continue coverage under the University Health Benefits Program, you or your dependent may be eligible to continue health benefits coverage under a variety of regulations. Please click here for more information on Continuation of Coverage. Or contact the Office of Employee Benefits.

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