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Summer Aid Checklist

The following checklist is available to help you determine your financial aid eligibility for summer:

  1. Apply For Federal Financial Aid 
    Be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2026-2027.
     
  2. Apply for TAP 
    If you are enrolled in six or more credits in the summer term, and choose to use TAP towards your summer bill, you may need to complete an application for TAP. Please refer to Summer Aid Information (PDF) for more details about summer TAP eligibility.
     
  3. Review Federal & State Aid eligibility 
    Review important federal and state financial aid regulations outlined in Summer Aid Information. Federal regulation requires that we split your accepted student loan evenly among all enrolled terms.

    Please note: If your parents wish to apply for a federal Parent PLUS Loan for summer, they must complete a Parent Loan application and include the summer dates in the loan application. (May 2026 to August 2026).

    If your parents wish to apply for a federal Parent PLUS Loan for summer, fall, and spring terms, they must complete a Parent Loan application and include the summer start date (between May 2026 and August 2026) and the Spring 2027 end date (May 14, 2027) in the loan application.
     
  4. Register for Classes 
    Coursework taken MUST be applicable to your degree program. Delays in registering for all of your classes will cause delays in the processing of your financial aid. For some sources of funding (e.g., Direct Loans), processing will not occur until you are registered at least half-time.

    Most financial aid programs have certain requirements regarding the minimum number of credit hours you must take in order to be eligible. The definition of "full-time" or "half-time" during the Summer Session is typically the same as during any semester. Your enrollment level is determined by your total number of credit hours for the entire summer, including May Term.

    Follow the instructions for Registration on the Summer Session webpage.
     
  5. Complete the Summer Aid Application 
    All students wishing to utilize financial aid for any summer session must complete the Summer Financial Aid Application. Once submitted, the Summer Aid Application form will automatically be sent to the Financial Aid Office. Students may complete the application here: Summer Aid Information and Application.

    "The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3 or OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025 through the budget reconciliation process. This legislation contains significant provisions that reshape federal student financial aid, particularly student loan funding. The changes are in effect for the 2026-2027 academic year that begins with the Summer 2026 term. At this time, final regulations and guidance have not been released by the Department of Education (ED). We are unable to review student loan eligibility for the Summer 2026 term until final regulations are put in place by ED. You may still complete your 2026-2027 FAFSA and summer aid application. Your application will not be reviewed until ED has released final guidance, and we do not have an estimate on when to expect this information.* Thank you for your patience during this difficult time. As a courtesy to our students, late fees will not be assessed on summer charges while we await guidance from ED."

    *Undergraduate students applying for Pell or TAP grant will be notified about their summer eligibility. 
     
  6. Review your Bill
     
  7. Be Sure To...
    • Notify the Financial Aid Office of any Outside Aid 
      Outside scholarships or other sources of assistance affect your eligibility for both federal and state aid. Be sure to notify the Financial Aid Office of aid you may be receiving for summer from outside sources.
    • Notify the Financial Aid Office of ANY Changes 
      ANY changes to your Summer Session enrollment could affect your financial aid eligibility. Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are planning to adjust your summer enrollment, including withdrawing from a class.
    • Respond to Missing Information Notices 
      You will receive a notification through BearPAWS if we are missing any information needed to process federal aid on your behalf for the summer term, and subsequent fall and spring terms. Check BearPAWS and your Potsdam email regularly.
    • Complete Loan Requirements