Summer Financial Aid

Summer semester is a great time to catch up on required coursework, work on electives, or get ahead in your program. Federal regulations allow Pell Grants to be available year-round for eligible students. Students can also borrow any remaining student loan eligibility leftover from the previous fall and spring semesters. Here's what you need to know about summer financial aid at USU:

• Summer aid is normally based on the previous year's FAFSA. For example, Summer 2024 is generally based on the 2023-2024 FAFSA instead of the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
• Federal Pell Grants are automatically offered to eligible students in early spring.
• If a student does not have remaining eligibility for the 2023-2024 year and we have received a 2024-2025 FAFSA that is Pell Grant eligible, the grant offer will be based on the new eligibility. Exceptions can be made based on individual circumstances. Contact your Federal Aid Counselor for details.
• If you attended full-time (at least 12 credits) during the fall and spring semesters, you must enroll and complete at least 6 credits to be eligible for a Pell Grant for summer semester based on your 2023-2024 FAFSA. If you plan to take less than 6 credits, and you are eligible for a summer Pell Grant based on the 2024-2025 FAFSA, please contact our office to find out if the 2024-2025 FAFSA can be used instead.
• During the summer semester, Federal Pell Grants will increase or decrease based on enrollment until the end of the last day to add or drop classes of the latest session for which you are enrolled.
• Student loans can be offered if you have not already received the maximum amount allowed for the academic year. 
• Please contact our office if you wish to apply for student loans this summer. If you are unable to contact our office, you can submit this form instead.

Dropping/withdrawing from summer courses while receiving financial aid:

• Summer semester is divided into different sessions. You may have courses in more than one session.
• If you receive financial aid at the beginning of summer semester, you will need to establish Pell Grant eligibility by participating academically in each of your courses.
• If you drop, withdraw, or otherwise do not complete all of your summer courses, you may be required to repay some or all of your financial aid.
  Please contact our office prior to dropping or withdrawing from courses to find out how your aid will be affected.

Summer Aid FAQ:

Q. My FAFSA says I’m eligible for a Pell Grant.  Can I get a Federal Pell Grant this summer?

Most students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grant on their FAFSA can also receive a Federal Pell Grant in the summer. See the above information for more details.

Q. Do I have to do anything to receive a Summer Pell Grant?

Not necessarily. You should automatically receive any Federal Pell Grant you are eligible for. You just need to ensure you enroll in summer classes to receive the accepted grant. If you want to use next year’s FAFSA eligibility instead of this year’s, please contact our office for more information.

Q. I found another summer class. Will my Federal Pell Grant cover it?

Maybe. During the summer semester, USU Financial Aid has several deadlines to prevent grants from adjusting up and down the entire semester. We use your final “last day to add or drop classes” registration date to determine your grant deadline. However, adding or dropping classes may extend your grant deadlines. Please contact our office for more information. 

Q. How do I apply for summer loans?

The summer loan application is made available on our website or in our office on or after March 1 each year. If you have any remaining yearly loan eligibility, you may apply for summer loan funding.

Q. I do not have any loan eligibility left for summer. What are other options for helping to pay for my summer classes?

• A Payment Plan allows students to pay their balance throughout the semester in monthly installments. Payment plans include tuition, student body fees, class fees, single housing and meal plans if applicable.
• Apply for scholarships
• Meet with a Financial Coach 
• Or, you can take a look at private loan options from private lenders.