Financial Aid for the Summer Term

General student eligibility requirements apply to the summer term. Your enrollment status is determined based on the combined number of total credits for which you register over the entire summer term. Visiting or non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. Financial aid for the summer term is limited. If you have questions about your options, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

* All students enrolled in summer need to complete a Summer Aid Application, once registered.

Federal Direct Loans

If you want to borrow during the summer semester, you must be enrolled at least half-time (at least 6 credits) and have remaining loan eligibility from the previous academic year. Upon review of your Summer Aid Application, our office will determine your eligibility. Therefore, if you think you may have eligibility remaining, check that line on the application and we will evaluate your record. The Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility and will forward necessary loan request information to the Federal Direct Lending program.

Please be aware that your loan eligibility may be limited by maximums allowed for specific enrollments, grade level, academic year limits and/or aggregate loan total to date.

Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan Program

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program enables parents of dependent students with passing credit histories and a need for funding beyond the Federal Direct Loans program to borrow money for educational expenses. At least half-time enrollment in a degree seeking program is required.

Alternative Loans

There are various private alternative loans that are available. Private alternative loan is typically issued in the student’s name and most often requires a creditworthy cosigner, who is a US citizen or permanent resident. Maximum loan amounts, loan terms, borrower qualification, repayment schedules, and interest rates vary among lenders.

Before applying for a private or alternative education loan, you may qualify for grants and/or other assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Loans under Title IV include the Federal Direct Stafford and the Federal Direct PLUS loan. These Title IV loans may have terms and conditions that are more favorable than the terms and conditions of private education loans. The more favorable terms of Federal Direct loans generally include the interest rate, fees, and repayment options such as deferments and forbearances. In addition, Federal Direct loans may be eligible for loan repayment, loan forgiveness, discharges due—for example—to total and permanent disability or to death.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency/PHEAA Grant

Students who were eligible for a PHEAA grant for one or both of the preceding terms (fall, spring) may be able to apply for a summer term grant. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits over an 8 week enrollment period to be eligible. Please contact our office for details.