Summer financial aid is based on individual eligibility and available via the Student Center in My Sac State. Types of aid available for Summer: Pell Grant and/or Federal Loans. 

How to Qualify for Summer Aid

The following conditions apply for Summer Aid:

• Must be a current student (new students starting Fall 2024 are not eligible)
• Must have a 2023/24 completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid on file
• Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• You must be enrolled in at least six (6) units for undergraduates or four (4) units for graduates for most aid programs

Awards for Summer are based on remaining financial aid eligibility not used in the prior Fall 2023 and/or Spring 2024 semesters at any college. To qualify for most types of aid you must be enrolled at least half-time (6 units undergraduate, 4 units graduate).

The Financial Aid & Scholarships department must first determine students are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) after the end of the Spring semester. This occurs after final grades and end of term processes are complete.  To get an idea of what financial aid you may qualify for, you can always view your Student Aid Report by logging in to studentaid.gov. 

Eligible students will be automatically awarded Summer Pell Grant within 2 weeks of enrollment of summer courses. Summer Pell Grant is awarded up to the full-time amount, but the actual amount you receive will be based on enrollment. 

Direct Federal Student Loan requires the student to submit a request using the Summer Loan Request Form. Access the Summer Loan Request Form from your Student Center to the bottom right > under the Financial Aid links > Summer Loan Request Form link. The last day to submit an initial Summer Loan Request form is mid-June. You must be enrolled in at least one Summer course to submit the Summer Loan Request Form.

Note: A revised Summer Loan Request Form must be submitted anytime there are changes to your class schedule.

Pell Grant

Pell Grant is offered to students who are currently receiving the award and have eligibility. Students may be awarded up to the standard amount they typically receive within the Fall/Spring semesters (based on full-time). However, amounts can vary based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of units enrolled for the summer session. Utilizing this award for summer will count toward the student’s overall life-time Pell limit (6 years or 12 full-time semesters).  View the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

If student is eligible for a Summer Pell Grant, the grant will be automatically awarded to the student’s account within two (2) weeks of enrollment in at least one summer course (half-time enrollment is required to be eligible for most aid programs). No need to inform the office of your enrollment status.

In addition to the standard criteria, students must also meet the following:

• Have remaining Pell Grant eligibility
• Be enrolled into at least one (1) summer course

Award amounts will be based on 12 units (full-time) and disbursement will reflect actual summer enrollment.

Federal Loans

If you are interested in Federal loans, request funds by submitting the Summer Loan Request Form found on your Student Center > Financial Aid Links box (bottom right-hand side of the page).

In addition to the standard criteria, students must also meet the following:

• Have loan eligibility remaining from the 2023-24 aid year
• Be enrolled in at least half-time: 6 units for undergraduate or 4 units graduate

Direct loans have an annual and lifetime aggregate loan limit which sets the maximum a student can receive for an academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer). The Direct loan annual and aggregate loan limits are available on the Federal Student Aid website. 

You will only be able to access the Summer Loan Request form if you are:

• Admitted to a degree program that includes the Summer 2024 semester,
• Enrolled in at least 1 class in the Summer 2024 semester,
• Have a 2023/24 FAFSA on file and
• Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.  

The deadline to submit the Direct Loan Request form is June 7, 2024. 

Note: A revised Summer Loan Request Form must be submitted ANYTIME there are changes to your class schedule. 

Changing Your Class Schedule

A revised Summer Loan Request Form must be submitted anytime there are changes to your class schedule. Processing of the request form can take up to 4 weeks. Please do not resubmit the Summer Loan Request Form unless there are updates to your summer courses. Re-submissions override any previous submissions and restart your timeframe for review.   

Census

Enroll in all courses for the semester by Census. Census is the date the university determines and locks your enrollment for the semester. The Financial Aid Office will determine your aid based on enrolled units at Census.

Any courses enrolled after Census will not be included when determining your eligibility for aid for the semester. Direct loans require a minimum of half-time (6 undergraduate units, 4 graduate units) to be enrolled at Census for the semester.

Summer Aid Disbursement

Summer disbursements usually begin once all enrolled classes have begun and not when your fees are due. Check your class schedule for start dates. Summer aid will disburse based on your eligibility.

If you’re eligible for any Summer 2024 funds, they will be posted to your Student Center > View Financial Aid link > 2024. Funds are estimated to pay out when your LAST class begins. 

Your Financial Aid will disburse once all the summer courses you enrolled in have begun. For example, if you are registered for a course that begins June 1st and a course that begins July 12th, you will not receive your aid until the week of July 12th.

FAQ’s

How do I know how much Summer Pell I would be eligible for?

The best way to estimate your eligibility for the summer Pell Grant is to review your Spring 2024 Pell Grant award. If you were enrolled full-time in Spring 2024, you would have received up to the full amount for that semester. For Summer 2024 you can be eligible for half of your Pell Grant if you are enrolled in 6 units (half-time)..

Example: If you received a Spring 2024 Pell Grant at $3,447* at 12+ units (full-time), you may be eligible for a Summer 2024 Pell Grant at $1,724 at 6 units (half-time). Note: award amounts will vary based on the student’s eligibility and file.

*Based on a 0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

When will my summer Pell disburse?

Summer Pell Grants will be automatically awarded to eligible students upon enrollment in at least one summer course. In most cases, your Pell Grant will disburse when enrollment in your LAST class begins.

Example #1: If you enroll in three (3) units in Session 1 and 3 units in Session 2, your Pell grant should pay out the week of the start date of Session 2.

Example #2: If you enroll in a total of six (6) units during Session 1, then your Pell grant should payout during the week of the start date of Session 1.

Are federal loans offered?

Yes, if you have not used up your loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized) from the 2023-24 school year. Visit Federal Student Aid website for more information.

You may receive Direct Loan offers once you have submitted a Summer Loan Request Form. Access the Summer Loan Request Form from your Student Center to the bottom right under the Financial Aid links > Summer Loan Request link. You will only be able to access this form if you are admitted to a degree program that includes the Summer 2024 semester, are enrolled in at least 1 class in the Summer 2024 semester and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. 

When do the federal loans disburse?

If you pursue federal loans, they will disburse once you begin attending half-time (6 units undergraduate, 4 units graduate).