Grants and Scholarships
The State of Illinois Monetary Award (MAP Grant) is not available for the summer. It is restricted to fall and spring semesters. Most NIU grants and scholarships are also restricted to the fall and spring.
If you're eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and have summer enrollment of six or more credit hours, you are most likely eligible for additional Pell for the summer. For six hours, your summer Pell will be 50 percent of the amount you received for one full-time semester during the school year.
If you do not receive the full Pell Grant during the fall and/or spring terms due to less than full-time enrollment, you may be eligible for the remaining amount during the summer semester depending on enrollment.
If you're enrolled in less than six credit hours, you may be eligible for summer Pell. You must not have used your full-year Pell offer during the fall and spring terms.
Read more about Summer Pell Grant
If you qualify for the Pell Grant, you may use part of your lifetime Pell Grant eligibility for summer semesters. The grant can be applied to summer tuition and fees.
Eligibility Checklist
I may be eligible for Pell if:- I have not used my lifetime eligibility.
- I have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $5,501 and will enroll in six or more hours.
- I have an EFC less than $6,001 and will enroll in nine or more hours.
- I have an EFC less than $6,207 and will enroll in 12 or more hours.
- I did not attend fall 2022 and/or spring 2023. I have an EFC less than $4,001 and will enroll in fewer than six hours. Eligibility based on cost of attendance.
- I was enrolled less than full-time in fall 2022 and/or spring 2023. I have an EFC less than $4,001 and will enroll in fewer than six hours. Eligibility based on cost of attendance.
Pell Grants have both an annual limit and a lifetime usage limit. Students may receive up to the equivalent of three (3) full-time semesters of Pell Grant per academic year. However, they must be registered at least half-time (6 credit hours) to receive a Pell Grant during Summer if they have exhausted their fall and spring eligibility.
Lifetime Pell Grant eligibility is the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters, or six academic years comprised of fall and spring semesters. Usage is prorated if you attend a semester less than full time.
Loans
You must be registered for six or more credit hours to borrow from federal loan programs. Some private loan programs may approve you for less than six hours.
The total amount you borrow cannot exceed the summer cost of attendance less all other aid. The cost of attendance includes:
- Tuition and fees.
- An allowance for books.
- Transportation.
- Living expenses.
Living expenses are prorated for the actual weeks of attendance. If you drop and add classes, you may have a change in eligibility, even if the total hours remain the same. For example, if you take six hours of courses over eight weeks, you'll have a higher cost of attendance than if you take six hours over only four weeks.
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
If you did not borrow your full 2022-2023 annual loan limit for fall and spring, you can borrow the remainder of the annual limit up to the cost of attendance less other aid. You must be enrolled in six or more credit hours. The subsidized portion is restricted to need less other need-based aid.Annual loan limits:
| Grade Level | Dependent | Independent or Dependent with PLUS denial |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1(0-24 hours) | $5,500: Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $9,500: Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Year 2 (25-48 hours) | $6,500: Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $10,500: Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Year 3-4(49+ hours) | $7,500: Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $12,500: Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Lifetime | $31,000: Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $57,500: Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
Parent PLUS Loan
If you're a dependent student whose parents have an approved PLUS loan application, you may borrow up to the summer cost of attendance less other aid.Private Loans
Many private lenders offer student loans. FinAid, an external organization, provides a comprehensive list of private loan lenders. If you are interested in a private loan, you should verify eligibility criteria and fill out an application with the individual lender. NIU will receive loan applications electronically.
If you're approved for a private loan, you may borrow up to the summer cost of attendance less other aid.
Eligibility Checklist
I may be eligible for a Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan if:
- I enroll in six or more hours and have not borrowed my full 2022-2023 annual loan limit.
I may be eligible for a Parent PLUS Loan if:
- I am a dependent student who will enroll in six or more hours, and my parent has applied and been approved for a summer 2022-2023 Federal PLUS Loan.
I may be eligible for a private loan if:
- I have an approved private loan application for summer and meet the lender's eligibility criteria.