<p>I got a letter from the school I plan to attend this fall about attending a summer session intended for incoming freshmen. The program adjusts us to college life and you get 8 credit hours towards your degree. I'm beyond ready to leave my small town.</p>
<p>Now, I obviously don't just have $3000 laying around to jump up and go to college almost 2 months sooner than I expected. So, I looked into the federal aid. On the website for the program, they said that under certain circumstances, the aid is available. My question is, do I stand a chance at getting the aid? My family definitely does not make a lot of money, and things are really hard for us. Is getting aid for summer sessions harder than for the regular academic year?</p>
<p>Most universities offer need based aid for the academic year only. Summers are viewed as “optional”. BUT I would urge you to contact the university and inquire about possible aid for this optional summer program. Perhaps there is something you could apply for.</p>
<p>Is summer considered part of the 12/13 academic year? If so, I would not use federal aid, including loans, for an optional summer session as it will reduce the amount of your aid for fall and spring. There is no extra federal aid given for summer now that the second Pell program has been discontinued. If the school has institutional aid to give, that would be an attractive option. If summer is treated as the last semester at this particular school, it might be possible to file an 11/12 FAFSA and receive a half-time Pell award for summer (approx $1300).</p>
<p>But … if summer session is a trailer, there may be Pell (depending on EFC) & there would be loans … with no effect on the following fall/spring. You would have to file a 2011-12 FAFSA.</p>
<p>Many times, though, there are school grants for these type of programs. I would call & talk to the financial aid folks at the school.</p>