Summer Aid
Summer Aid
Summer Aid Information
The summer semester is considered a “trailer” to the standard academic year. This means that summer acts as a third semester of the current award year. As a result, you will only have remaining federal aid for the summer term if you have not exhausted your aid eligibility for the current academic year (fall/spring).
Please keep in mind:
- TAG does not provide summer grants at all, regardless of enrollment or eligibility.
- Pell Grants are available in some cases. Our office will automatically award you the maximum Pell Grant for which you are eligible.
- Federal student loans are available if you did not borrow your full annual loan limit during the fall and spring semesters OR you advance grade levels (move from Freshman to Sophomore OR from Sophomore to Junior).
You may receive financial aid for summer courses if:
- You are enrolled at least half-time as a degree-seeking student at Rowan (6 credits for undergraduates; 4.5 credits for graduates);
- You are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress;
- You have remaining (unused) eligibility from the fall and spring term;
- You have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the award year; and
- You complete the Summer Term Financial Aid Request Form (only required if you would like to use any remaining federal loans you have available).
Applying for Summer Financial Aid
After you have registered for your summer term courses, you will need to complete and submit the application for summer aid to request federal or PLUS loans. This is usually available in the middle of the Spring semester.
You must indicate the desired Direct Student Loan amount if you have remaining (unused) eligibility from the fall and spring term.
You may need to consider borrowing a private loan or a PLUS loan if you have exhausted your financial aid eligibility for the current school year (fall and spring). Students or parents may apply for private education loans.
Rowan University neither maintains a preferred lender list; nor do we endorse/recommend private lenders. However, ELMSelect provides a neutral lender and product comparison tool for these types of loans.
Please note that approval for PLUS and alternative loans is based on a credit review by the loan lender.
The summer aid request is only required if you are requesting to use a federal student loan or a Parent/Grad PLUS loan for summer. You do NOT need to complete this request for private loans.
Summer Term FAQ's
How many credits do I have to take to qualify for aid?
You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits for undergraduates; 4.5 credits for graduates) over all summer sessions to be eligible for Federal loans; however, there are some private loan programs available to students taking fewer than 6 credits. If your registration drops below 6 credits, your summer financial aid will be adjusted. These adjustments may create a balance due on your account.
Can I get a Pell grant in the summer?
Watch this video for more information!
How do I apply for loans for the Summer term?
If you borrowed a Federal Direct Loan this academic year and have remaining loan eligibility, please complete the request for summer financial aid. If you have never borrowed Direct Loans before, you will need to complete the Application and Master Promissory Note in addition to the Summer Term Financial Aid Request Form.
If you do not have any available Federal Direct Loan eligibility for summer, you can explore private loan options on ELMSelect. Please pay special attention to see if your lender has any specific minimum credit hour requirements if you do not plan to enroll at least half-time.
What if I have to change my registration or housing status for the summer?
If you change your registration or housing status after completing and returning the Summer Term Financial Aid Request Form, please contact the Financial Aid Office so necessary adjustments can be made to your summer financial aid.
Is financial aid available for off-campus living expenses?
Financial aid may be used for off-campus living expenses. Please indicate your summer housing arrangements on the Summer Term Financial Aid Request Form. You may, however, not be eligible for the entire amount you request. If you have requested additional funds for living expenses, those extra funds will be issued by the Bursar’s Office after your financial aid has been finalized and credited to your account. You should be prepared to pay your expenses until you receive your refund check from the Bursar’s Office.
I am taking summer courses at another school this summer, can I get financial aid?
In most cases, no. In order to receive financial aid at an institution, you must be accepted to the school and be pursuing a degree at that institution.
In addition, credits taken at another school do not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required to receive loans here at Rowan University. For example, taking 3 credits at Rowan University and 3 credits at a community college would not make you eligible for federal loans. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in 6 credits at Rowan University to be considered for federal loans. In this case you would consider a private or alternative loan to pay for your costs at each institution.
In addition, credits taken at another school do not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required to receive loans here at Rowan University. For example, taking 3 credits at Rowan University and 3 credits at a community college would not make you eligible for federal loans. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in 6 credits at Rowan University to be considered for federal loans. In this case you would consider a private or alternative loan to pay for your costs at each institution.
