Summer Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Make Summer Count

Taking summer classes can help you stay on track—or even graduate early. Financial aid may be available to help cover your costs, including Pell Grants, loans, and other funding you may qualify for.

Check your eligibility early to make sure you’re ready when summer aid processing begins.

How Summer Aid Works

Summer financial aid is based on your enrollment, your remaining eligibility from the current academic year, and your FAFSA results.

Review your options early to avoid delays and make sure your summer classes are covered.

Quick Tips for Summer aid

  • Plan early—processing starts in April 2026.
  • Fall 2026 aid can’t be used for summer tuition and fees.
  • Make sure your FAFSA is complete and UNC is listed (School Code 001349).
  • Have questions? Meet with a Financial Aid Counselor, or reach out by email ofa@unco.edu,

Receiving Your Summer Financial Aid

  • Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA (if you haven’t already).
    • If UNC isn’t listed, add our school code 001349. 
  • Enroll in summer classes.
  • Students who have a FAFSA on file, are enrolled, and still have federal financial aid eligibility will automatically be reviewed for summer funding.
  • The FAFSA deadline for summer awarding is June 30, 2025.
  • Summer aid typically includes remaining Federal Pell Grant (undergraduate only) and Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS and Grad PLUS).
  • If you used all your annual loan limits during fall and spring, you may not qualify for additional federal aid. A financial aid counselor can help you review your options, including private or alternative loans.
  • Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 1 credit to receive a Pell Grant and 6 credits to receive Federal Direct Loans.
  • Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 5 credits to receive Federal Direct Loans.
  • Courses must apply to your degree program to count toward financial aid eligibility.
  • The exception to the annual limits applies to undergraduate Pell Grant recipients. Federal regulations allow students to receive up to 150% of their annual Pell Grant eligibility within a single academic year.
    • Pell eligibility is determined by the FAFSA year with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI).

To receive summer aid, you must:

  • Be admitted into a degree-seeking program.
  • Have a complete FAFSA and all required UNC financial aid documents.
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
    • You must meet UNC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to remain eligible for financial aid. If you become ineligible after your spring grades are reviewed, your summer aid may be canceled.
    • Visit the SAP Appeals page for information on how to restore your eligibility.
  • New Direct Loans for summer require a completed Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling.
    • If you borrowed during the prior term, these steps may already be completed. Check your Ursa account regularly.
  • New PLUS loans require an online credit check and application at studentaid.gov.
  • Summer aid disburses no earlier than 3 days before your first summer term begins.

Important:

Students who enroll but do not attend their classes will have aid canceled or adjusted based on attendance and must repay any funds received.