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 may request a summer loan if they have remaining eligibility from the fall and spring semesters and are enrolled at least half-time. 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 2026 is generally based on the 2025-2026 FAFSA instead of the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
• Federal Pell Grants are automatically offered to eligible students in early spring. Final Pell Grant eligibility and amounts are based on actual enrollment intensity and continued eligibility under federal regulations.
• If a student does not have remaining eligibility for the 2025-2026 year and we have received a 2026-2027 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.
• During the summer semester, Federal Pell Grant eligibility may increase or decrease based on enrollment changes, participation, and federal recalculation requirements through the applicable add/drop deadlines for summer sessions.
• Students must continue meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to remain eligible for federal financial aid during the summer semester.
• Student loans can be offered if you have not already received the maximum amount allowed for the academic year. 
• Summer financial aid eligibility may also be limited by annual loan limits, lifetime eligibility limits, enrollment level, and Cost of Attendance regulations.

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. Because summer includes multiple sessions with different start and end dates, financial aid eligibility and disbursement timing may vary based on your enrollment schedule.
• 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. Federal regulations require students to begin attendance and academically participate in courses used to determine financial aid eligibility.
• If you drop, withdraw, or otherwise do not complete all your summer courses, you may be required to repay some or all your financial aid. Students who stop attending courses without officially withdrawing may still be considered unofficial withdrawals and could be required to repay federal financial aid funds.
• Federal regulations may require recalculation of financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, stop attending, or fail to complete courses.
• 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?

Summer 2026 is generally based on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. In some cases, remaining eligibility from the 2026-2027 FAFSA may be used if applicable and eligibility requirements are met.

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.

Q. I would like to apply for Federal Work-Study (FWS) for summer. What do I need to do?

• We must have your following year’s FAFSA ready and awarded. Example: If you want to receive Federal Work-Study during Summer 2026, we must have both your 2025-2026 FAFSA and 2026-2027 FAFSA on file, completed, and eligible for processing.
• Please request FWS by emailing workstudy@usu.edu.
• Your department will need to contact us at workstudy@usu.edu to complete a Summer Bridge Agreement, but we must verify your eligibility first, so please ask them to contact us atworkstudy@usu.edu.