Summer Funding

Summer Courses

Penn’s need-based undergraduate financial aid program does not extend into summer sessions, and students should understand in advance that most aid will be available in the form of federal or private student loans.

Beginning with the Summer of 2023, no application for summer financial aid is required. Eligibility for and packaging of aid will be automated and will be driven primarily by registration.

To be eligible for federal aid during the summer, students must be enrolled at least half-time and have a 2022-23 FAFSA on file. Half-time enrollment is a minimum of 2 CUs across one or both summer sessions. Students must be enrolled in courses that can be applied to their degree program, which includes Penn-sponsored summer study abroad courses.

Federal loans can be used to help pay for Summer charges and expenses. If you did not borrow or only borrowed a portion of your academic year federal loan eligibility in the Fall and Spring semesters, you can use the full or remainder for Summer. Your federal loan options will be packaged for you automatically for summer as an offered option. If you had used up your academic year maximum federal loan eligibility in the Fall and Spring, there are private education and federal PLUS loans available to consider.

Highly Aided Students

Highly Aided students are eligible to receive up to 2 CUs of grant assistance for Summer. This includes any federal/state grants, supplemented by Penn Grant, if needed. Highly Aided students can be enrolled less than half-time and still receive Penn Grant.

Students enrolled in summer classes can also apply for the Summer Federal Work-Study program. To apply, students must complete both the current and upcoming academic year FAFSA and submit the Summer Work-Study online application. Funding is provided on the basis of financial need.

Summer Internship/Research Opportunities

Offices across campus offer limited funding opportunities for summer internships and research experiences. Career Services has compiled a list of summer funding resources that students can apply to.

SRFS offers a limited summer funding program for Highly Aided students who are pursuing unpaid or underpaid internships or research opportunities. Students can visit the Highly Aided Summer page for more information.