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Summer Aid

Non-degree seeking students are generally not eligible for financial aid. You can apply for an alternative loan to finance your education. Click here (link to non-degree alternative loans) for a list of our preferred lenders.

If you are eligible for a Federal Direct Loan (see Non-Degree Eligibility), you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you plan to take courses over the summer, you may be eligible to receive financial aid to offset the costs. The financial aid programs available for the summer are Federal Direct Loans and credit based alternative loans. Click on the sections below for more information.

Summer Aid Requirements

If you want to be considered for summer financial aid, you must:

  • Be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program at UMass Amherst.
  • Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If you have a SAP issue, it must be resolved by the summer application deadline (July 31, 2021) before your summer financial aid application can be processed.
  • For more information on eligibility for financial aid, go to the Eligibility section of this site.
Applying for Summer Aid

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To apply for summer financial aid, you must:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Complete the appropriate UMass Amherst Summer Financial Aid Application on the Forms section of this site.
  • Most forms are available for completion via DocuSign, or an interactive PDFs that you can completed, signed and submitted to office via fax or email.
    • Click on the →DocuSign to complete, sign and submit electronically.
    • You are required to use your UMass email address to DocuSign form.
    • Or click on name of form to open fillable PDF
    • You may also submit your application materials via email to: fadocs@umass.edu or by FAX at 413.545.1700.
  • If your FAFSA was selected for verification, check your To Do List on SPIRE and submit any requested documents promptly.
  • All required documents must be received by the deadline date or your request for summer aid cannot be processed.
Enrollment Requirements

If you are applying for Federal Direct loans, you are required to take at least six credits during the summer session.

If you are applying for an alternative loan you must comply with the lender’s criteria regarding credits and enrollment status. Visit the lender’s website to get information about the application process. We recommend you apply for federal financial aid first.

Dropping Credits

If you do not enroll for the minimum number of credits during the summer we cannot award you loans.

Additionally, if at any time during the summer session you fall below the required six credit minimum, your loans will be canceled.

Registering for Classes

Students taking summer classes: All UMass Amherst matriculated students will be able to register for summer classes in SPIRE, prior to financial aid being finalized. Please note the ability to register does not ensure receipt of summer financial aid.

If the cost of your courses exceeds the financial aid award you receive, you are responsible for paying the difference.

Summer Financial Aid Amounts

Federal Direct Loans: During the summer session you may receive up to half of an academic year annual eligibility in Federal Direct Loans. For award amounts review the Summer Financial Aid Application & Eligibility Information form.

Alternative Loans: You may receive up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid received. We encourage you to apply for federal financial aid first. Remember to borrow responsibly. Loans are a debt that must be repaid with interest.

Living Expenses

Your cost of attendance for the summer includes a room and board allowance. However, the financial aid you may be eligible for may not cover these costs. You may want to consider applying for an alternative loan to pay for these expenses.

Disbursement of Funds

When will summer financial aid be applied/disbursed* to my bill?

  • For students enrolled in six or more credit during Summer Session One, financial aid will disbursed on or after May 24, 2020.
  • For students enrolled in less than six credits during Summer Session One, financial aid will disbursed on or after July 1, 2020.

Please note that a total of six credits of summer enrollment (Session One or Session Two combined) is required to qualify for Federal Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, PLUS)

  • The disbursement of summer Alternative Loans will occur at the time the funds are received as long as you meet the eligibility/lender criteria for the loan. Alternative Loan funds are received twice weekly by UMass Amherst.

*Disbursed means the day the summer funds are credited to your University bill, not the day you will receive an excess/refund.

Refunds and Excess Express

If you are eligible for a refund you will receive it through the Excess Express process.

For more information about Excess Express visit the Bursar's Office website.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Review your Rights and Responsibilities for applying and receiving financial aid.

Student Employment

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