For Financial Aid purposes, summer is considered to be the end of the academic year. Therefore, the eligibility of each student aid applicant for summer funds is based upon each student's remaining annual limits for grants and loans, also all summer sessions are combined into one processing term.
To be considered for federal financial aid for summer, you must have a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [the one used to award the preceding fall and spring semesters] on file. In addition to the FAFSA, a USC Financial Aid Summer Application is required each summer.
The summer application is available on SSC beginning April 1. The priority deadline to complete the application is May 1. Because of compressed time frames for summer, our office must adhere to strict application deadlines. However, the application will remain on the web through June 1 and these late applications will be processed on a case by case basis.
How to apply for summer aid?
Complete Request for Summer Application in Self-Service Carolina.at https://my.sc.edu
- Sign-In using VIPID
- Select Financial Aid
- Select Summer Financial Aid Application
- Select Campus Attending
- Select Aid Year
- Answer all questions and submit application
What does a complete application for summer financial aid include?
A complete application for summer financial aid includes:
- A Summer Application for Financial Aid (completed on SSC).
- A completely processed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- A loan application for a new summer PLUS or private loan.
- Admission into a degree seeking program.
What about Satisfactory Academic Progress?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be completed when spring grades are posted
in May. Any student not meeting the SAP policy who has had financial aid awarded for
summer will have their financial aid canceled immediately, and therefore, may owe
a bill for summer. Detailed information on SAP can be found at Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP).
What happens if I do not attend or withdraw?
- You must adhere to class attendance requirements as defined by the university.
- If you register for summer classes and decide not to attend, you are REQUIRED to notify BOTH Financial Aid Office (FAO) and the Registration Office immediately to begin the withdrawal process.
- Dropping courses below half-time prior to disbursement of financial aid may result in your becoming ineligible for all non-disbursed aid. Additionally, if class attendance is not established, you will become ineligible for disbursed aid and therefore owe a debt to the university.
- If you withdraw prior to the 60% point of the summer session(s) you are scheduled to attend, you may owe a repayment of financial aid funds to the program(s) from which they were awarded (thus owing a debt to the university).
- Failure to officially withdraw may result in the receipt of failing grades and you may owe a repayment of financial aid funds to the program(s) from which they were awarded (thus owing a debt to the university).
- Students who receive a combination of failing grades (F’s, FN’s, Us, UNs, NRs, Ws, and WFs) in ALL classes while also receiving federal financial aid may owe a repayment of financial aid funds to the program(s) from which they were awarded (thus owing a debt to the university).
- Withdrawing from classes or failing to complete and pass registered hours will affect your future eligibility for financial aid. You must meet SAP requirements to maintain eligibility for financial aid as defined by the FAO.
Summer Application Q & A Guide
Financial aid will be processed according to the planned enrollment you indicate. Please indicate the number of planned hours for summer. Failure to enroll as indicated voids your application including all financial aid awarded, with the possible exception of Federal Pell Grant. If your plans change, you need to make the Financial Aid Office aware of these changes.
Indicate if you will live with your parents or off-campus (not with parents).
Funding is contingent upon availability and eligibility. If you apply for FWS and funds are available, you will be awarded and notified.
You must be enrolled for at least 6 hours. The Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) will be processed for the maximum base eligibility allowed subject to annual and aggregate loan limits that are based on your academic grade level, your dependency status and the length of your academic degree program. Students who are currently receiving a Federal Direct Loan and who have not received their maximum for the academic year may have remaining eligibility.
Additional Loan Information
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Based on eligibility all summer loan awards are prorated. Summer loan amount will not exceed half of the yearly maximum.
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Summer loans are disbursed in at least two installments (May and June) for the Lancaster, Salkehatchie and Union campuses.
If you are a first-year, first-time loan borrower you must wait 30 days for the 1st loan disbursement. This applies to 1st time borrowers attending Lancaster, Salkehatchie, and Union campuses.
The Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is designed to assist the parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time in meeting educational expenses.
Due to the credit expiration date by the Department of Education, your Parents must complete a new plus credit application for the summer term.
If your parent did not apply for a Parent Loan for fall/spring terms, they must complete a credit application and a Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at the Department of Education’s website. www.StudentLoans.gov
Students will need to apply directly with their lender of choice. The lender will approve or deny credit, generally within a few hours. Once the school receives notice of an approval the loan information will appear on SSC.