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

    Students who add an additional degree, major, or minor must complete their program within eight semesters to remain eligible for grant-based undergraduate aid. If pursuing an additional degree, major, or minor requires enrollment beyond eight semesters, grant-based undergraduate aid will not be available for any additional semesters.

4. Submatriculation Programs

 Students enrolled in a submatriculation program may receive up to eight semesters of grant-based undergraduate aid, provided that the majority of courses taken during a given term are undergraduate courses. Financial aid for the graduate portion of the program will consist of student loans, in accordance with standard Penn master’s program policies.

5. Leaves of Absence and Financial Aid

If a student takes a leave of absence and institutional grant-based undergraduate aid remains on their account to help cover an outstanding balance, that semester will count toward the eight-semester limit for financial aid eligibility.