Taking summer classes is an excellent way to knock out core course requirements and graduate on time (or even early!) Unfortunately, these classes may cost extra, and some forms of financial aid are based on a traditional, two-semester academic year. Summer classes don’t fit into that model, so getting funding for these courses can be challenging.
As a college student, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential to qualify for financial aid. But does FAFSA cover summer classes? The answer is a bit complex. If you’re interested in taking summer classes, here’s what you need to know to get as much financial aid as possible.
Why Take Summer Classes?
Students take summer classes for several reasons, including:
- Completing electives or core requirements: Many students take summer courses to meet core or elective requirements. These courses tend to have shortened term lengths, so you can get them out of the way and focus on your major and minor.
- Earning credits sooner: By completing credits in the summer, you can earn the necessary credits faster and graduate early, potentially saving you money.
- Catching up on failed courses: If you struggled with courses during the normal semester, you can retake them in the summer.
- Taking advantage of smaller class sizes: Summer classes tend to be smaller, so you get more personalized attention from professors.
Does Financial Aid Cover Summer Classes?
Financial aid may cover summer classes, but it depends. Your first step toward finding out is completing the FAFSA each year to see if you are eligible for financial aid. The FAFSA helps determine which types of federal and state aid, including grants, federal student loans, and work-study positions, you can qualify for. Some colleges even use the FAFSA for certain types of institutional aid. Federal, state, and institutional aid can be used to pay for fall and spring semester classes, and in some cases, summer classes.
Determine Which FAFSA Year Your College Uses for Summer Financial Aid
Your eligibility for financial aid is partially dependent on which FAFSA form your college financial aid department uses to determine aid for summer courses; it varies by school. For example, some colleges will use FAFSA from the 2024-2025 academic year for summer classes, but others will use the 2025-2026 FAFSA. To find out which your school uses, contact your financial aid office.
Why is the FAFSA year important? Annual caps exist for federal student loans and Pell Grant funding. If your school uses the FAFSA from the previous academic year, you may have already reached the limit and not qualify for additional aid. Additionally, you need to be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal student loans. Each school has different criteria for defining enrollment status, but if you’re only taking one or two summer classes, you might not meet that requirement. If that’s the case, you’ll need to explore other options for financial aid for part-time students.
When Might FAFSA Cover Summer Classes?
You could be eligible for federal financial aid for summer classes if you meet the following requirements:
- You completed the FAFSA and have a demonstrated financial need.
- You’re enrolled at least half-time during the summer.
- You’re taking credits that count toward your degree requirements at an approved institution, such as a community college.
- You make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree (this requirement is defined by each school, so check your student handbook for what this means for you).
- You have not yet reached the annual or aggregate limits for federal financial aid.
Alternative Ways to Pay for Summer Classes
If you’ve already maxed out your federal financial aid, don’t worry. There may be alternatives to help you pay for summer courses.
Apply for Scholarships
Applying for scholarships is a great way to help cover the cost. Start with your university; it may even have exclusive awards for the summer semester. Ask your advisor if there are any eligible awards to pay for summer courses and how to apply for those awards.
Once you’ve applied for internal scholarships, search popular sites like Bold.org and Big Future for opportunities. These sites let you search for scholarships specific to your major and interests. For example, if you’re an international studies major, look for scholarships geared toward students pursuing a career in international affairs.
Apply For Summer Grants
Like scholarships, grants are a form of gift aid that don’t have to be repaid. There are some grant Like scholarships, grants are a form of gift aid that don’t have to be repaid. Some grant programs are specifically for students taking classes over the summer. Grants may be available from your state, college, or local non-profit organizations. For example:
- University of Central Florida (UCF): UCF grants are available to undergraduate students taking summer classes. You’ll need to complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need to be eligible.
- Pennsylvania Summer State Grant: Residents of Pennsylvania may qualify for the PA Summer State Grant program. To be eligible, you must be enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying school.
Check with your school’s financial aid office and visit your state’s education agency to see if grants are available.
Take Cheaper College Courses
If your college charges high rates for summer classes, you may be able to find less expensive options elsewhere. For example, if you attend an out-of-state public university, look into summer courses at a local in-state college. You’ll have to apply to that university and submit your transcript, but you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on courses. Before you enroll, confirm that the course will transfer to your university and count toward your degree requirements.
Get a Job or Side Hustle
Depending on how much money you need, a summer job or side hustle can supplement your financial aid to cover summer classes. Start looking for a job before the summer starts. Talk to adults you know, like professors, resident advisors, teaching assistants, and academic advisors, and ask if they have any suggestions. They may know of an administrator who’s looking for a house sitter or a dorm building that needs a part-time receptionist. If you have friends that are also staying in town, ask them if they know of anyone hiring. Keep your eyes peeled around campus – you may be surprised at how many businesses still post physical job ads. You can also use tools like SnagaJob or SideHustleNation to find jobs and side gigs that match your schedule. Your college may also have an online job bulletin where companies post openings. Many retailers and restaurants are having trouble finding employees right now, so it may be easier than you think to land a gig.
Depending on how much money you need, a summer job or side hustle could supplement your financial aid to cover summer classes. Start looking for a job before the summer starts. Talk to professors, resident advisors, teaching assistants, and academic advisors, and ask if they have any suggestions for part-time work. They may know of an administrator who’s looking for a house sitter or a dorm building that needs a part-time receptionist. If you have friends staying in town for the summer, ask them if they know of anyone hiring, too.
Also, keep your eyes peeled around campus – you might be surprised how many businesses still post physical job ads. You can also use tools like SnagaJob or SideHustleNation to find jobs and side gigs that align with your schedule. Your college may also have an online job bulletin where companies post openings. Many retailers and restaurants are always looking for employees, so it might be easier than you think to land a gig.
Take Out Private Student Loans with ELFI
If you’ve used up your federal, state, and institutional aid and need additional funds to pay for summer classes, private student loans can also be a useful option. With ELFI, you can qualify for loans for summer courses as long as you’re enrolled at least half-time.* Borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as the school-certified cost of attendance. ELFI gives you up to 15 years to repay your loan, and you can get rate estimates with ELFI’s Find My Rate tool without affecting your credit.
