Summer Financial Aid

Summer semester is considered a trailer to the preceding financial aid year. For example, for Summer Semester 2022, be sure to have the 2021-22 FAFSA completed. The first run of summer aid offer notifications will happen around mid-April and will be available for viewing in your e-services.  If you have been enrolled in both fall and spring semesters full-time, you may have very little or no aid eligibility remaining for summer.  Eligible students may choose to enroll in a NelNet payment plan or borrow a private loan to assist with summer expenses.

Summer Application Process

1. Be sure to have a complete financial aid file for the current school year. If you have not completed your FAFSA for the current year start with “How to Apply” step 1 above. If you received any grants, loans or work-study for fall and/or spring semester you already have a complete financial aid file.
2. If you received financial aid at a different school during fall or spring, login to your FAFSA at studentaid.gov and add our federal school code – 002355.
3. Register for summer classes. Registration for summer classes may begin as early as October. A Summer Award notification cannot be processed until you have registered for summer classes.
4. If you register for summer classes after mid-April, a Summer Award notification will be packaged and available on your E-Services for viewing within two weeks of your summer registration. Below is an explanation of how summer aid is awarded. 

Grants

Eligibility for summer session grants will be based on any remaining eligibility after fall and/or spring semester.
If you are transferring from another college, the financial aid you received there will also be considered in determining summer eligibility.
Full-time enrollment for summer is the same as fall and spring semesters.

• Federal programs-12 credits or more
• Minnesota State Grant (MSG) and Post-Secondary Child Care grant-15 credits or more.

Loans

Summer award notifications will indicate your loan eligibility. Be sure to read all the information as you review your award notification. Log into your E-Services or refer to the “Student Loans” web page to begin the process of applying for loans. Summer enrollment of at least 6 credits is required to be eligible for loans.
If there is not any loan eligibility on your award notification review “Other Loan Options” on the “Student Loans” web page.

Work-Study

Student employment for the summer is also available.

• Complete the “and are interested…” link on the “Work-Study” web page.
• Complete upcoming years FAFSA by June 1st with an indication of interest in work study.
• Eligibility will be based on the upcoming year’s financial aid file.

The Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee that you will earn the full amount of your summer work-study award.

A student need not be registered for summer term credits but must be registered for at least 6 credits in the fall term. Be aware summer work-study awards may adversely affect fall work-study and/or loan eligibility awards.