Summer Semester Financial Aid

Summer is considered a third term in the academic year and uses the same FAFSA and financial information that was used during the preceding year. All summer class registrations must be completed by the end of the drop/add period for each class. Undergraduate full-time enrollment for summer is 12 credits; graduate full-time enrollment is 8 graduate credits. Financial aid is disbursed starting in June based on all registered credits.  Summer payment dates

Summer semester funding is available in the following programs: Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, Work Study based on availability of funds, Federal Direct Loans, and private educational loans.

Bookstore Information: You may charge up to $400 in books, course materials, supplies and equipment at the MSUM Bookstore. This charge will appear on your billing statement. This option is available to all students enrolled for summer semester, regardless of financial aid funds.

Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility for summer Pell Grant is possible in two ways.

  1. If enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in summer, Pell Grant is available based on registered credits for the summer term.
  2. If summer term enrollment is below half-time, Pell Grant will be available only if either (or both) of the previous fall and spring term enrollment was less than full time.

Adding or withdrawing from courses does not increase or decrease the Pell Grant payment (some exceptions apply).

Minnesota Grant

A third payment will be available for summer to students who are eligible. Award amounts at each credit level are displayed on your award notice.

Work Study

Since there is no summer application this year, let your supervisor know if you wish to work in your current work study position over the summer. Your supervisor will notify the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid who will then determine your eligibility for summer work study. You must be registered for at least 6 credits during summer semester.

Federal Direct Loan

Eligibility is determined by grade level and is limited to one annual maximum per year (Fall, Spring AND Summer).

Summer Eligibility Requirements
  • Summer financial aid cost of attendance and awarding is based on the number of credits and length of enrollment. Cost of attendance and award amounts are adjusted prior to disbursement to actual credits enrolled.
  • You must be enrolled in a degree seeking program.
  • You must be registered for 6 or more credits to be awarded Work Study or Federal Direct Loans (graduate students must be enrolled in 6 or more graduate credits).
  • You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for most summer aid. Students not maintaining satisfactory academic progress at the end of spring semester are subject to financial aid suspension for summer term. Notification of suspension may occur after the start of the first summer classes. Students on financial aid warning or probation spring semester will have financial aid eligibility for summer determined after spring grades are posted. Award notices will be available once eligibility is established.
  • Students graduating in the Spring are ineligible for summer federal financial aid unless admitted for summer as a graduate student (enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits) or a second degree/license student with a program of study approved by the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid.
Summer Financial Aid Application Process

Steps to Receiving Financial Aid for Summer Session

  1. Register for classes (1-5 credits is less than half time; 6-8 credits is half time; 9-11 credits is 3/4 time; 12 or more is full time). Graduate students: 1-5 graduate credits is less than half time; 6 graduate credits is half time; 7 graduate credits is 3/4 time; 8 or more graduate credits is full time).
  2. That's it. As long as you registered and have a current FAFSA on file, you will be reviewed for financial aid.
  3. Financial Aid offers will be on eServices by May 1.
  4. Your financial aid may adjust if you drop, add or change your summer credit loan prior to and/or during the summer semester.
  5. Financial aid will pay into your student account on or after June 9.
Reminders
  • Work study over the summer: Please let your supervisor know if you wish to work in your current work study position over the summer. Supervisors will notify the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid who will then determine if you are eligible for work study funds for the summer semester. Remember that you must be enrolled for 6 or more credits to be eligible.
  • Financial Aid offers will not be mailed. Watch for notification to your mnstate email address directing you to MSUM eServices to view and accept any Direct Loans awarded to you. Loans will not be processed unless you accept your Direct Loan from the "loans" tab on eServices or apply for a private loan from a lender.
  • Make sure your local address is current and mnstate email address is active and correct.
  • First time borrowers at MSUM
  • Dropping class registration and receiving a tuition refund or withdrawing from a course may require repayment of financial aid funds. (Example: You register for 3 credits for an early course and 3 credits for a later course. If you drop your later course, you will only have 3 credits and may need to immediately repay the financial aid already received.)
  • Sign up for electronic deposit of financial aid overage funds. Directions are available on eServices. Contact Business Services for details on payment procedures.