The summer session is considered an extension of the previous academic year. Learn more about each specific summer term by reading the Summer Information Sheet 2026 (updated March 15 each year).
- A separate application is not required, your eligibility will automatically be reviewed if you are enrolled at least half time.
- Undergraduate students must enroll for at least six (6) credits.
- Graduate students must enroll for at least four (4) credits.
- Starting in Mid-June, undergraduate students enrolled in less than six (6) credits will be reviewed for Pell grant eligibility
- Eligibility in most cases is limited to any remaining Federal Direct Loan and/or Pell Grant eligibility.
- Federal Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS, and Private Alternative Loans are available, based on approved credit.
- The Summer 2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance is based in part on the number of weeks you are actually enrolled in classes (updated March 15 each year).
Information Sheet: Summer 2026
A separate application is not required to be considered for financial aid. However, please read the information below to ensure you satisfy all requirements.
Important Dates and Deadlines:
- ASAP: If you haven’t already, submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA using 2023 tax info.
- April 4: Start registering for summer classes (min. 6 undergrad or 4 grad credits).
- April 17: Priority filing date for quick financial aid processing.
- May 6: Approximate date for start of summer aid awarding.
- June 1: Deadline to complete all financial aid requirements.
- Registered for at least 6 undergraduate or 4 graduate credits.
- Have a 2025-2026 FAFSA on file with UWM and submit any missing documentation. Check your PAWS account for items on your “To Do List.”
- Allow two weeks from the date your file is complete for your eligibility to be determined. You may incur finance charges if you wait this late to complete your file.
- Mid-June: Staff will begin reviewing undergraduate files for those enrolled in less than 6 credits for limited Pell grant eligibility.
Book loans are not available for the summer term.
Eligibility
- FAFSA: Based on 2025-2026 FAFSA.
- SAP: Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Study Abroad: Costs considered for aid.
- Summer Guests: Not eligible for UWM aid; check with your home school for consortium agreement with UWM.
Enrollment
- Credits & Weeks: Aid based on registered credits and weeks in class.
- Overlapping Sessions: Overlapping weeks are counted only once.
Available Funds
- Federal Pell Grant: Eligibility based on the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Additional eligibility if enrolled in at least 1 credit (Lifetime Pell limits apply)
- Federal Direct Loans: Limited by academic year borrowing limits, most students have borrowed their annual maximum during the fall and spring semesters. Calculate remaining eligibility by determining your dependency status and year in school and subtract the amount of loans used in the Fall and/or Spring from the appropriate amount in the chart below:
| Level | Dependent | Independent |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman | $5,500 | $9,500 |
| Sophomore | $6,500 | $10,500 |
| Junior | $7,500 | $12,500 |
| Senior | $7,500 | $12,500 |
| Graduate | $20,500 |
- Students who have reached, or are close to reaching, their aggregate loan limits (cumulative career loan maximum), may be eligible for less money than calculated above. These limits are as follows:
- Dependent Undergraduate $31,000 (no more than $23,000 may be in Subsidized loans)
- Independent Undergraduate $57,500 (no more than $23,000 may be in Subsidized loans)
- Graduate Students $138,500
- PLUS/Alternative Loans: Info is available in the loan area of our website.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Credits: Based on any summer credits with a letter grade.
- Warning/Probation: Aid disburses after confirming SAP.
- Regulations require that a student be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a degree to be eligible for financial aid. All students are strongly encouraged to review the entire SAP policy on our website.
- If you are currently in a Warning or Probationary status for financial aid purposes, and were enrolled in the spring semester, your aid will not be disbursed until we can confirm you are making satisfactory academic progress.
Cancellation or Withdrawing from Classes
- Impact: Dropping classes can affect your aid. Contact us before making changes.
- Once your aid is disbursed, you are expected to begin enrollment in ALL courses and complete enough credits to maintain the Pace portion of Academic Progress
- Dropping all your summer class or any upcoming summer classes can result in the return of a portion of your aid.
- If your aid has been disbursed, and you are considering dropping any of your summer classes please contact our office to discuss the possible ramifications.
Disbursement
- Timing: Disbursement is based on the start date of your first summer session. Earliest disbursement is May 23.
- Enrollment: Your registration will be reviewed ten days before your first class begins. If your number of credits is different from the time of your award, your aid may be adjusted. Please contact the Student Financial Service Center if your summer enrollment changes.
- Payment Plans: You should pay your tuition, less any financial aid loans and/or grant funds, by the due date. For details on payment plans, visit the Student Financial Services website.
- Application: Funds are applied to tuition first, and the remaining balance is sent to you. Please make sure that your mailing address is correct on PAWS at least two weeks before your first class begins, or that you have signed up for direct deposit.
- Direct Loan Recipients: First time Direct Loan recipients must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to disbursement of their loan. This needs to be done online at studentaid.gov.
Estimated Cost of Attendance: Summer 2026 – 12 Weeks
Undergraduate
| Non-tuition Budget Components | Parent Home | On or Off Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Books/Supplies (half-time) | $200 | $200 |
| Room | $564 | $2,628 |
| Meals | $1,752 | $1,752 |
| Transportation | $648 | $648 |
| Personal | $756 | $756 |
| Totals of Living Expenses And Books | $3,920 | $5,984 |
| Weekly Living Expenses (Excluding Books) | $310 | $482 |
Graduate
| Non-tuition Budget Components | Parent Home | On or Off Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Books/Supplies (half-time) | $200 | $200 |
| Room | $564 | $5,280 |
| Meals | $1,752 | $1,752 |
| Transportation | $648 | $648 |
| Personal | $756 | $756 |
| Totals of Living Expenses And BooksWeekly Living Expenses (Excluding Books) | $3,920 | $8,636 |
| $310 | $703 |
Add your actual tuition costs to one of the above totals. Listed below are some typical tuition amounts based on half-time enrollment*:
Undergraduate Tuition: $2,591 (6 credits/half-time enrollment)
Nonresident Undergraduate Tuition: $5,591 (6 credits/half-time enrollment)
Resident Graduate Tuition: $3,088 (4 credits/half-time enrollment)
Nonresident Graduate Tuition: $6,446 (4 credits/half-time enrollment)
Associate Degree Tuition: $1,288 (6 credits/half-time enrollment)
Nonresident Associate Degree Tuition: $3,204 (6 credits/half-time enrollment)
*For more detailed tuition information, see the Student Financial Services website, https://uwm.edu/finances/finances/estimating-your-costs/tuition/
Average Stafford Loan Fees, Undergraduate: $30
Average Stafford Loan Fees, Graduate: $75
Average Parent PLUS Loan Fees: $215
Average Graduate PLUS Loan Fees: $371
Living expenses used in your budget are based on the number of weeks you are scheduled to attend classes. Weeks of enrollment equal the total number of unduplicated weeks of class sessions. Weeks of nonenrollment between sessions do not count. Weeks when sessions overlap are counted only once.