Eight Semester Undergraduate Aid Policy

The University of Pennsylvania is committed to increasing access for undergraduate students by meeting 100% of their demonstrated financial need with grant-based aid and work-study for up to eight semesters.

This eight-semester commitment also applies to eligible transfer students, who must be traditional undergraduates pursuing their first bachelor's degree throughout their enrollment.

We understand that some students may need more than eight semesters to complete their degree due to a variety of circumstances. Student Financial Aid (SFA), in coordination with the undergraduate deans, evaluates such cases to determine whether additional semesters of grant-based aid may be provided.

The following guidelines outline circumstances under which students may be eligible for aid beyond the standard eight semesters:

  1. Academic Progress, Leaves of Absence, Withdrawals, and Health-Related Circumstances
    Students may receive grant-based financial aid for additional semesters—with a modest student loan component—based on a recommendation from their undergraduate dean.
     
  2. Coordinated Dual-Degree Programs
    Students enrolled in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology and the Nursing & Healthcare Management Program (NHCM) are eligible for up to two additional semesters of grant-based aid as these programs require a fifth year of enrollment.
     
  3. Additional Degrees, Majors, or Minors (Declared After Matriculation)
    • Students who added degrees, majors, or minors prior to Fall 2017 may be eligible for an additional semester of grant-based aid upon the recommendation of their undergraduate dean.
    • Students who declare additional academic programs after Fall 2017 are not guaranteed additional grant-based aid. These students may receive aid packages that include a student loan component.
       
  4. Submatriculation Programs
    Students who enrolled in submatriculation programs after Fall 2017 are limited to eight semesters of grant-based undergraduate aid. Financial aid for the graduate portion of their program will consist of student loans, in line with standard Penn master’s program policies.