Summer Financial Aid

1. Scholarship funding for summer is limited to specific departments and students are automatically considered - there are no separate scholarship applications.
2. Campus-based federal financial aid (SEOG, work-study) is not available.
3. Students who apply by mid-April should be notified about their eligibility by the first week of May.
4. Before applying, students must be certain about the number of credits they will take and the session(s) they will attend. Summer financial aid is directly based on the number of credits, weeks enrolled, and starting dates of sessions. Therefore, once a student has applied for summer financial aid, they must report any changes in enrollment to Student Financial Aid Services. Failure to do so could cause delays in, or revision to, the financial aid disbursement.

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans may be available to students who will be at least half-time (six credits for undergraduate students, five credits for graduate and law students) and who have not already borrowed their annual maximums during the prior fall and spring semesters  (see below for annual Stafford loan limits). The exception to borrowing in excess of the yearly limit is if a student is graduating in the upcoming summer or fall. In this case, the student may be able to borrow from the upcoming academic year. Students who will graduate in the summer or in the fall may be asked to provide verification from the Registrar’s office, their college, or their department that they are on track to graduate. Students who have questions about their loan eligibility for the summer semester are encouraged to reach out to Student Financial Aid Services. 


5. Graduate and Law students can ask to be considered for the Graduate PLUS Loan. There is no annual limit for PLUS loans, but students cannot borrow in excess of their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid that they receive. If PLUS is awarded for summer session, a new application is required to be completed at www.studentaid.gov. PLUS loans require that the borrower not have an adverse credit history (a credit-check will be done). If creditworthiness is a problem, the student may obtain a creditworthy endorser. The federal government charges interest from the date the first disbursement is made although monthly payments are not required as long as the borrower is enrolled at least half-time.
6. Parents of undergraduate students can apply for the Parent PLUS Loan. There is no annual limit for PLUS loans, but parents cannot borrow in excess of the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid that they receive. If PLUS is awarded for summer session, a new application is required to be completed at www.studentaid.gov. PLUS loans require that the borrower not have an adverse credit history (a credit-check will be done). If creditworthiness is a problem, the parent may obtain a creditworthy endorser. The federal government charges interest from the date the first disbursement is made, although monthly payments are not required as long as the dependent student is enrolled at least half-time, and if a deferment is requested during the application process.
7. Private (alternative) Loans are available through private lenders such as banks. While there may not be an annual limit for private student loans, students cannot borrow in excess of their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they receive. Typically, private loans require a credit check and many students may find that if they do not have enough credit history, they will need a co-signer. Most interest rates and repayment options on private loans are not as favorable as the interest rates and options available on federal loans. For this reason, students are considered to thoroughly research their options and should only consider obtaining a private education loan if they have maxed out their Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility.

If you have questions, please contact Student Financial Aid Services by email or call 208-885-6312.

1. Students planning to attend summer courses and wish to be considered for financial aid for the summer semester should complete the Summer Aid Application. Students can access the Summer Application by going to:
   
   VandalWeb > Financial Aid & Scholarships > Summer Session Financial Aid Application 2024


2. Have a 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file by June 30 with Student Financial Aid Services.
3. Enroll at least half-time during the Summer Session, as loan eligibility is contingent upon half-time status (six credits for undergraduates, five credits for graduates and law students).
4. Please note: Awarded summer loans will be disbursed for the full amount available. If you wish to borrow less, please send a request by email or stop by Student Financial Aid Services in the Bruce M. Pitman Center.

Federal Direct Student Loans

* These limits are lower because parents of dependent students may borrow additional funds through the PLUS Loan Program for their students. (See below for more information.)

Aggregate Limits:
$31,000 (Dependent, Undergraduate Borrowing Limits)
$57,500 (Independent, Undergraduate Borrowing Limits)
$138,500 (Including Graduate/Law & Undergraduate Borrowing Limits)

Interest Rate and Fees: Find out more information on Federal Direct Stafford Loan interest rates and fees.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

(For Graduate students and Parents of dependent undergraduate students)

Annual Limits: 
Direct Plus Loans are limited to the difference between education costs minus other financial aid including the student's Direct Loan Eligibility.

Aggregate Limits:
There are no aggregate PLUS limits.

Interest Rate and Fees: Find more information on Federal PLUS Loans interest rates and fees.