How to Apply for Summer Financial Aid

Financial Aid Application Procedures

Summer Financial Aid Application

Please note: we will not begin processing summer aid applications until April 1. This delay is due to pending regulations associated with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), which we are currently awaiting.

Please note: it is not necessary to complete a Summer Financial Aid Application if you are only seeking a Pell Grant for summer.

Summer Financial Aid Steps

Step #1 Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Step #2 Complete the Summer Financial Aid Application. After you log into StudentForms click on "Manage Requests" and select the 26-27 Summer Aid application form. (Need help with StudentForms?)  You do NOT need to do this if you are only requesting the Federal Pell Grant.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3 or OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025 through the budget reconciliation process. This legislation contains significant provisions that reshape federal student financial aid, particularly student loan funding. The changes are in effect for the 2026-2027 academic year that begins with the Summer 2026 term. At this time, final regulations and guidance have not been released by the Department of Education (ED). The Financial Aid Office will be unable to review Federal Direct student loan eligibility for the Summer 2026 term until final regulations are implemented by the Department of Education.  

***Your summer financial aid application will not be reviewed until the Department of Education has released final guidance tied to The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Please expect processing delays as we wait for this guidance.  Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.  If you are expecting a refund from your Federal Direct loans they will be delayed indefinitely.  Please plan ahead and make appropriate accommodations if you are expecting a refund for room and board.  

As a courtesy to our students, summer classes will not be dropped by the Office of Student Accounts if you have filed your FAFSA, Summer Aid Application, and requested a Federal Direct Loan for the summer term while we await guidance from ED.***  

Step #3  Meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to qualify for federal financial aid. A student's failure to meet SAP standards may result in the student losing their federal financial aid eligibility.

Step #4 If you were selected for Federal Verification for the 2026-27 year you must complete the           
verification process prior to applying for summer aid.

Step #5 If your enrollment status changes during the summer session(s) you must contact the Financial Aid Office because this may change your aid eligibility.

***If you are interested in utilizing your Fredonia financial aid at a different SUNY institution please fill out the Cross Registration form.  

Please allow 2-3 weeks for your summer aid application to be processed.

Please note that you must meet federal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards in order to receive aid.

Visit the Summer Sessions website for more information regarding class registration.

Undergraduate Maximum Budget Chart

Graduate Maximum Budget Chart

Summer Tuition and Fees

Summer Aid Available at Fredonia

PELL GRANT

• Due to Year Round Pell legislation, all matriculated students will automatically be considered for a Federal Pell Grant for the summer term as long as a 2026-2027 FAFSA is completed and the student is Pell eligible.  Federal Pell Grant is determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI) and enrolled credit hours. It is not necessary to complete a Summer Financial Aid Application if you are only seeking a Pell Grant for summer.
• Pell will not be paid and refunded until the middle of July for Summer 1 and/or Summer 2
• Only used as credit towards your bill if it is an authorized amount.

FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN (SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED)

• Please keep in mind when requesting a dollar amount that there is a 1.057% origination fee that is taken out by the Department of Education prior to the funds being applied to the bill.
• Receipt of Federal Direct Loan in Summer will decrease the amount available during the subsequent Fall/Spring semesters. Federal Regulations allow an annual 12 month maximum loan limit depending on your year in college. Loan limits are as follows: Freshmen $5,500; Sophomore $6,500; Junior & Senior $7,500.
• First Time Federal Direct Loan Borrowers must click here to begin the Federal Direct Loan process to complete the Entrance Counseling AND the Federal Direct Electronic Loan Agreement (eMPN).
• Used as credit towards your bill when the loan has been Approved.
• Must be enrolled a minimum of 6 credit hours during May Term / Summer 1 and / or Summer 2.
• Please see above message for processing timeline of Federal Direct Loans.  If you are expecting a refund from your Federal Direct Loan please note that due to OB3 legislation it will be delayed.  Please plan accordingly. 

FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS LOAN

• Must be enrolled a minimum of 6 credit hours during May Term / Summer 1 and / or Summer 2.
• Click here to apply on-line for a Federal Plus Loan.
• Used as a credit towards your bill when the loan has been Approved.
• Please see above message for processing timeline of Federal Direct Loans.  If you are expecting a refund from your Federal Direct Loan please note that due to OB3 legislation it will be delayed.  Please plan accordingly. 

PRIVATE LOANS

• Click here to apply on-line for a Private Loan.
• Notification of approval or denial will be sent to you by your lender.  It is imperative that you complete and return all necessary documents sent to you by the lender.
• Used as a credit towards your bill when the loan has been certified by the Financial Aid Office and subsequently  approved/guaranteed by your lender.
• Students who are taking less than 6 credit hours need to check with their lender of choice before applying for a loan in order to determine if they are eligible for that loan at their less than half time status.
• Due to federal legislation tied to additional private loan disclosure notices and self-certification requirements, please note that processing time will be considerably lengthened with your lender.  Be sure to apply early.

FEDERAL TEACH GRANT

• Must first complete TEACH Initial and Subsequent Counseling and the Agreement To Serve (ATS) in order for TEACH to be used as a credit towards your bill.
• Must meet TEACH eligibility requirements, including academic certification.
• Students can only receive a total of $16,000 over the course of their entire undergraduate study and a total of $8,000 total during their entire graduate study.
• TEACH will not be paid and potentially refunded until the middle of July for Summer 1 and/or Summer 2.
• The Federal TEACH grant amount awarded to you for summer will be determined based on how many credits you are enrolled in for the summer term(s) and how much of your overall lifetime TEACH eligibility you have already used

TAP GRANT

• Must be a New York State resident.
• Must be enrolled a minimum of 6 credit hours during Summer 1 and/or Summer 2 and meet New York State income guidelines and be taking classes at Fredonia in the summer.
• Must have accrued 24 credit hours in the previous two consecutive semesters at Fredonia.
• Cannot be used as a credit towards direct Summer charges (tuition/fees).
• Not paid to you until October 2027 as per New York State TAP regulations.