A limited amount of financial aid is available for the summer session. To qualify, you must meet all general financial aid eligibility requirements, as well as additional conditions described on this page. All grants and loans (but not Federal Work-Study) require summer enrollment at USC.
Some academic departments also offer financial assistance for summer enrollment. Contact your department directly for more information.
SUMMER CAL GRANT
Continuing undergraduate students who receive Cal Grant funds may request that a portion of their funds be used for the summer session. To be considered for summer payment, and for more information, call CSAC at (888) CA-Grant (888-244-7268).
Important: When calculating your overall Cal Grant eligibility, the California Student Aid Commission (SAC) considers the summer session as a full semester of eligibility. This means that your Cal Grant eligibility will be reduced by an equivalent amount, so it is in your interest to maximize your summer session unit-count. Twelve units are required for the full-time grant, six for the half-time grant.
SUMMER FEDERAL WORK-STUDY
Eligible continuing students can earn up to $2,500 through Summer Federal Work-Study. You do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate. Funds are awarded to students with the greatest financial need who:
- intend to enroll at least half-time at USC for the fall 2009 semester
- meet all general eligibility requirements for financial aid, including Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- demonstrate financial need for both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years
- are on-time applicants for 2009-2010 financial aid
- submit a Summer Federal Work-Study Application (completed by both you and your prospective USC employer) to the Financial Aid Office by March 31, 2009. The Summer Federal Work-Study Application will be available in March 2009.
Potential Effect on Your Future Financial Aid Eligibility
The federal government requires that summer Federal Work-Study earnings— minus any employment-related expenses—be considered when determining your financial aid eligibility for the following academic year. As a result, your eligibility for other financial aid programs may be reduced.
SUMMER LOANS
The following loan programs may be available to eligible students who enroll at least half-time (6 units) in the USC summer session. Apply at least three weeks before the start of your first class. Early application enables your loan eligibility to be determined before the end of the summer session Drop/Add period.
- Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. To apply, submit a completed Summer Loan Request Form (SLRF) to the Financial Aid Office. For faxing instructions, visit www.usc.edu/contactfao.
- Federal Parent PLUS Loan. For parents of undergraduate students. To apply, attach a completed Summer Loan Request Form (SLRF) to the Parent PLUS Loan application and submit both to the Financial Aid Office.
- Private loans. Available for students enrolled less than half-time to full-time. To apply, submit a completed Summer Loan Request Form (SLRF) to the Financial Aid Office. Submit the private financing loan application directly to your lender.
SUMMER FEDERAL PELL GRANT
To receive a full-time Federal Pell Grant payment, you must enroll at USC for 12 summer units. Less than full-time enrollment may qualify you for a prorated Pell Grant. Applicants for a Federal Pell Grant for the summer session must:
- be undergraduate students who have not earned a first bachelor's degree prior to the start of the summer session.
- complete a 2009-2010 FAFSA before June 30, 2009.
- have unused Federal Pell Grant eligibility for the 2008-2009 academic year.
- complete a Summer Federal Pell Grant Application (Available March 2009).