Funding Available
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has limited funding available for students attending Summer Session. Apply early. Some awards will be awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Aid is available for summer classes at UC Merced or at other UC campuses.

You must be enrolled in the appropriate amount of units/courses on June 24, 2009 in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid.

Eligibility
In order to receive financial aid during Summer Session, you must meet the following requirements:
• Be admitted as regular student at UC Merced for Fall 2009 or a continuing UC Merced student.
• Compete a 2008-09 FAFSA as soon as possible but no later than June 30, 2009. You can
complete it on line at  www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Complete and submit a Summer Session Financial Aid Application to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as soon as possible but no later than April 30, 2009 for UC Merced grant consideration.
• Enroll in a minimum of six (6) units

How to Apply
To receive summer financial aid, you must follow these important steps:
• If you have not already done so, complete a 2008-09 FAFSA as soon as possible but no later than June 30, 2009. You can complete it on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Complete and submit a Summer Session Financial Aid Application to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as soon as possible but no later than April 30, 2009 for UC Merced grant consideration.
• Once your application has been processed you will receive an e-mail asking you to view and accept your financial aid awards for 2009 Summer Session and complete any outstanding requirements.
• Enroll in the appropriate Summer Session courses as indicated on the Summer Session Financial Aid Application you submitted. You must be enrolled in the appropriate amount of units/courses on June 24, 2009 in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid.

Applying Late
Summer financial aid applications will be accepted until July 6, 2009. After this date we will no longer be processing summer financial aid.

Available Funding
Federal Stafford Student Loan
Students are eligible to borrow any remaining funds that are available to them from the 2008-09 academic year.

Students who have borrowed their full Stafford eligibility during the 2008-09 academic will not be eligible for Stafford student loans in the summer. If you advance a grade level, you may be eligible to borrow additional loan amounts for summer.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

This loan is available to parents of dependent students. Loans can be certified up to the cost of Summer Session, minus any other financial aid a student may be receiving for summer. PLUS loans are based on credit approval.

Pell/ACG/SMART Grant

Pell, ACG and SMART Grant funds are available for Summer Session for students who have not used the entire amount of their award during the 2008-09 academic year. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units for ACG and SMART.

Fee Payments

Our office will begin paying fees for eligible students on June 5, 2009.

Be sure you:

• Accept your financial aid awards.

• Enroll in the courses listed on the UC Merced Summer Session Application you submitted.

• Complete any outstanding requirements with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Disbursements

Financial aid refund checks for summer will be disbursed in the same method as the academic year; either available for pick at the cashiers office or deposited directly into your bank account. Notify the Student Business Services Office of any changes in your disbursement information. Refund checks should be available beginning Friday June 12th for on-time applicants who have completed all of the necessary requirements.

Changes to Course Load

In order to remain eligible for summer financial aid you must complete the number of units specified on your application. If you fail to complete the units indicated on your application, you may be billed for all or part of your summer aid. If you withdraw from all Summer Session coursework you may be billed for the financial aid you received.

Costs for Summer Session

The following is a sample costs for undergraduates attending Summer Session, not including the cost of your courses (fees):

*Note: Summer Fees are charged in a per unit basis ($254/unit) and Campus Fees for summer are a flat rate of $204 regardless of units.

Students attending other UC campuses

Your financial aid will disburse to your UC Merced student account after the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office verifies your enrollment. You will have to use the balance of your financial aid funds to pay off summer charges at the school where you will be enrolled (fees will not be paid automatically). The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will verify your progress at the end of the summer. You may be billed if you complete less than 6 semester units or if you attend a different session than what was listed on your Summer Financial Aid Application.

NOTE: Summer aid will pay off any charges that exist on your student account before your financial aid remainder check is issued.

Attention Students Going Abroad:

Students planning to study abroad during summer need to complete the UC Merced Summer Session Financial Aid Application listing what program they are participating in. Students planning to study abroad need to meet all eligibility requirements listed above. Please contact the financial aid office if you have questions.

Please refer to the Summer Sessions Web site for information on courses, registration, calendar, and other information.