Summer Financial Aid

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Summer Aid Availability

Financial aid consideration for the summer term is generally limited to Federal Pell Grant, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Parent Loan (PLUS), Federal Graduate Plus Loan and private loans. New York State residents may also qualify for the New York State Tuition Assistance Grant (TAP). For most aid programs you must be enrolled for at least six credits in total during summer 2026 (Exceptions may include federal Pell Grant or private loans).

How to Apply?

  • Step 1: File a 2026-2027 FAFSA
    If you have not filed a 2026-2027 FAFSA, you should submit an online application at studentaid.gov.
    • Meet all program specific requirements and basic federal or state eligiblity requirements.
  • Step 2: Register for all summer 2026 courses.
    Summer aid will not be offered until you are registered for the number of credits necessary to meet the basic eligibility requirements. You should register for all your summer classes before completing the online summer aid request form (see Step 3).
  • Step 3: Log onto your personal UIS account to access Summer Financial Aid card, review, complete and submit your request.  Monitor your UIS account for summer eligiblity.

Cost of Attendance

Your summer cost of attendance/budget will be based upon the cost of your total expected summer term enrollment and living expenses. You can view your individualized cost of attendance along with your summer bill online via your personal UIS Experience account.

General Eligibility Requirements
To receive federal and state aid you must be admitted to a St. John’s University degree program and meet all eligibility requirements, including satisfactory academic progress and the following general requirements:

  • You must have a valid 2026-2027 FAFSA on file with the University. If you are selected for Verification, all requested documentation must be submitted.
  • You must register for a minimum of 6 credits of summer coursework in order to qualify for any federal student loans.
  • Federal Pell recipients must be registered for at least 3 credits to be considered for a summer Pell grant.
  • All summer coursework must be applicable to your degree program.
  • You must actively begin and attend all registered courses in each summer term in order to maintain eligibility for your summer financial aid. Failure to attend class and complete coursework will result in the loss or adjustment of summer financial aid.
  • Changes in enrollment or withdrawals could impact summer aid eligibility and result in a reduction of summer aid. Since aid offers are based on expected enrollment  you are responsible for any account balance created by non applicable coursework, an enrollment change, a withdrawal, or failure to attend summer term courses.
  • Summer aid like all aid programs is contingent on student maintaing Satisfactory academic progress.
  • Eligible TAP recipients must have completed at least 24 credits in 2025- 2026 and be enrolled for at least six credits to be considered for a summer TAP grant. Use of summer TAP accelerates use of your TAP eligibility.
  • Summer scheduled disbursement dates available online via your personal UIS account.

Changes to Federal Student Loan Programs as of July 1, 2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a new federal law that will bring significant changes to federal student loan programs as of July 1, 2026. 

  • As of the 2026-27 Academic year all federal student loans annual loan amount will be prorated based on a student's enrollment status.
  • The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program has ended. Legacy exception exists for qualified continuing students.
  • Visit https://stjohns.edu/OB3 for additional details.

Summer Federal Direct Loans

  • All first time borrowers must visit studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note and an Entrance Counseling Session.

Please note: The act of applying for summer loans will constitute your acceptance of your entire federal loan eligibility for the upcoming school year, to be divided as follows:

  • You will be considered for up to a third of your annual loan eligibility for summer study if your cost of attendance permits; your remaining annual loan eligibility will be equally divided between the fall and spring terms.
  • If you wish to adjust the amount of your subsidized or unsubsidized Direct loans, you must submit a Loan Change
    Form (PDF) to the Office of Student Financial Services. 
  • If you are graduating at the end of the summer, your summer loan eligibility will be prorated in accordance with federal regulations.
  • The Office of Student Financial Services will notify you once your loan funds have been disbursed and applied to your student account.

Summer Federal Graduate PLUS Loan 

Graduate/professional students who were enrolled in a program of study as of June 30, 2026, and had a Direct Loan for that program of study disbursed prior to July 1, 2026, can continue to borrow under the pre-July 1, 2026, loan limits for three academic years or the remainder of their expected time to credential, whichever is less.

  • Go to studentaid.gov and complete the Direct Grad PLUS Application Process.
  • All first time Direct Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers must complete a separate Graduate PLUS Entrance Counseling session at studentaid.gov.
  • You must submit a Summer PLUS/GRAD PLUS Request Form (PDF) and indicate how much Graduate PLUS you want to borrow for the summer.
  • Approved, first time borrowers will then have to complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov.
  • Visit https://stjohns.edu/OB3 for additional details.

Private Loans
If you are seeking a private loan for the summer you may borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance, which includes tuition, fees, and living expenses minus any other summer aid you receive.

Please initiate the private loan application process directly with your chosen lender. Please review the private loan process and the form you need to complete and submit to enable St. John’s to certify a private loan for you upon lender request. 

St. John’s recommends that students review their opportunities for borrowing through conventional federal loan programs first (Federal Direct Loan and Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan), and beyond these, to evaluate private loan options carefully.