Daisy Ortiz,
Contributor
March 15, 2017
For many Cal State East Bay students, summer quarter provides an opportunity to get ahead on coursework or simply catch up on classes they need for the next academic year.
For those students, financial aid typically plays a significant role. Of the 7,000 students that enrolled in summer courses last year, 29 percent used federal financial aid, according to Rhonda Johnson, executive director of financial aid for CSUEB.
This summer, the university will continue to offer federal financial aid — Pell Grant, work-study and direct loans — but will not offer state-funded financial aid, as per a decision implemented back in 2011, according to academic and career counselor Michele Hingst. Students will not have access to state funds such as Cal Grants, State University Grants, Middle Class Scholarships, Graduate Equality Fellowships, Graduate Business Grants and EOP grants.
Roughly 171 classes are offered in the summer compared to the 400 offered in fall, winter and spring. Communication and kinesiology offer some courses in the summer, but most majors do not, Hingst said.
Counselors like Hingst encourage students to take courses during the summer to keep them as close as possible to a four-year graduation schedule. They do also try to “promote what’s the right path for each individual,” not imposing a four-year graduation goal that may not be feasible for all students Hingst said.
“We are asking that all students who wish to receive financial aid this summer drop-in at the Enrollment Information Center to speak with a financial aid counselor,” Johnson said. “We can assist summer students with alternate financing arrangements, including aid eligibility.”
How will new semester schedule affect financial aid?
In 2014 the university decided to switch to semesters by the 2018-2019 school year to match the majority of other CSU schools. In that same year, only six of the 23 campuses in the CSU system maintained a quarter system.
“There is no difference in annual aid eligibility when we compare quarters to semesters, what is different is the distribution of aid during the academic year,” Johnson says. “Instead of dividing aid by four quarters, most students will receive the first half of their aid in fall and the second half in spring.”
In order to receive full federal financial aid, students must meet application deadlines and take 12 or more units per quarter/semester. “Not all federal aid requires full-time [12 unit] enrollment. Eligible students can borrow direct loans at half time enrollment, which is 6 units,” Johnson said.
Some majors will offer classes that better align with a semester program. Quarter units will be converted into semesters, all according to the pledge CSUEB has made about “no one being affected,” Hingst said.
“I want to stress there will be no reduction in the amount of aid our students receive once we convert to trailing summers and semesters. The only difference is the distribution of aid,” Johnson said.
Summer study abroad
This summer there will be a faculty-led study abroad program to Cuba that will not receive financial aid. Students and communication department chair Mary Cardaras will spend two weeks in Cuba and complete two weeks of coursework in the United States. Le Shawn Cheatham, study abroad advisor, said any study abroad program must be at least 10 weeks long in order to receive financial aid.
“From my understanding, the summer study abroad programs will not receive financial aid because we’re transitioning to semesters,” said professor William Lawson. He was the professor in charge in the faculty led summer program to London in 2015 and 2016. His 2016 program was eligible to receive financial aid because Lawson did an “online” course for five weeks and then spent five weeks in London with the students.
“When study abroad students have remaining 2016-2017 federal aid eligibility, they may receive it during summer quarter,” Johnson said.
FAQs
You will need to be registered for classes at least half-time (which is usually six credits) in order to qualify for federal loans for summer classes. Again, you should check with your school to make sure you have enough credits to be considered half-time enrolled. There are also dollar limits on federal financial aid.
Does FAFSA provide aid for summer? ›
FAFSA aid can typically be used for any college term — including the summer. Just keep in mind that there is an annual maximum you can take out in federal loans, which includes the summer semester. Grants also usually have annual limits.
What if I don't use my summer Pell Grant? ›
Students will only use part of their lifetime eligibility if they enroll in summer courses and a Pell Grant is actually disbursed. Student who do not wish to attend during the summer need to take no action as the award will be canceled and no eligibility will be used.
What if my financial aid is not enough? ›
Request Additional Federal Student Loans
If you've exhausted other options and still need additional funds to help you pay for school, contact your school's financial aid office to find out if you're eligible for additional federal student loans.
Does FAFSA give Pell Grant for summer? ›
A: Beginning May 13, summer Federal Pell Grants will be awarded and adjusted three times per day. If you enroll in the summer term, wait 12 hours, and then check your Financial Aid Dashboard. Your summer Pell award will be updated based on your enrollment at that time.
What does FAFSA consider full time for summer? ›
In order to be eligible for summer aid, students need to enroll in a minimum of 6 units (half-time status). A minimum of 8 units is required to qualify for Summer University Grant. Some programs (Federal Pell Grant and Summer University Grant) require enrollment in 12 units to receive full eligibility.
What FAFSA do I need for summer 2024? ›
Use the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid for July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
How to get FAFSA for summer 2024? ›
To be considered for federal student aid for the 2023–24 award year, you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form between Oct. 1, 2022, and 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2024. Any FAFSA corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2024.
Does FAFSA 23/24 cover summer 24? ›
For example, if you're applying for financial aid for the 2023‒24 school year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024), submit the 2023‒24 FAFSA form. If you plan to take summer classes, contact your college's financial aid office to determine which FAFSA form you should submit.
What is the 150 rule for pell? ›
For example, if your scheduled award is $5,000 for the award year and you received $7,500 because you were enrolled full-time in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, you would have received 150% of the scheduled award for that award year.
The Pell Grant can theoretically be used to pay for any expense. However, using these funds on expenses that aren't considered “qualified education expenses” may make the money subject to taxation. Let's dive into some use cases.
Do you get to keep leftover Pell Grant? ›
However, if there are any funds left over after your school applies your Pell Grant toward your tuition and fees, those funds are given directly to you, and you then may use them to reduce your loan amount.
How to ask for more money financial aid? ›
Your letter should be honest and concise and should focus on why you need more financial aid. You'll submit your financial aid appeal letter alongside any documents that might support your case. If your appeal is approved, the school will generate a new financial aid package and send you their new offer.
Why is my FAFSA grant so low? ›
Some of the most common reasons your grant funds may be reduced are: You didn't enroll full time. Pell Grants are prorated for part-time enrollment, You didn't begin attending all of your classes before the financial aid lock date.
Why am I not getting financial aid from FAFSA? ›
Students must be in good academic standing to receive federal aid. The required GPA varies from school to school, but typically students need a 2.0 or higher.
How do I get FAFSA for summer 2024? ›
To be considered for federal student aid for the 2023–24 award year, you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form between Oct. 1, 2022, and 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2024. Any FAFSA corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2024.
How many semesters does FAFSA cover? ›
The FAFSA covers the Fall/Spring/Summer semesters. For example, the 2022-2023 FAFSA covers Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 semesters. The 2023-2024 FAFSA covers Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 semesters.
