Summer Assistance

Current graduate students can apply for summer assistance through their second-year financial assistance application. Incoming graduate students for the fall semester are not eligible for summer aid for prerequisite coursework. 

Below is a breakdown of how the application and disbursement process works for current students enrolling in the summer term:

Application

Complete your application by March 1 so your estimated loan amounts will be available for summer pre-registration (which begins in late March). This application covers your eligibility for both Summer 1 and 2 terms, your second fall and spring semesters, and, if applicable, the May intersession.

Disbursement

You will receive your loans in three equal disbursements for summer, fall, and spring. The same loan amounts as your first year are offered but may appear to be less since the disbursements are split into thirds.

Although summer is treated as two separate academic sessions, it is considered one financial assistance term and therefore, only one summer loan disbursement.

Our office considers the total number of credits taken during both summer terms when calculating eligibility. A student must be enrolled in at least 4 credits before any loans are disbursed. For example, if you take 2 credits in Summer 1 and 2 in Summer 2, your loans will disburse in Summer 2. If you take 4 or more credits in Summer 1, your loan will disburse in Summer 1.

May Seminar Courses

These are part of Summer 1 registration. The credits will apply to Summer 1 and summer loan disbursements can go toward the cost.

Registration & Payment

Students must pay when they register, or they must provide proof of a completed financial assistance award that covers the cost before they are allowed to register. This is why the March 1 deadline for summer is important; it allows enough time to process applications so students can use their anticipated aid to register for summer.

Prerequisite Courses Before Entering a Degree Program

When you enroll for required prerequisites, you are not eligible to receive most educational loan programs because you are not yet matriculated in a degree program. However, Emerson does have some programs for which you may be eligible. Please contact us for more information.