Information for students

Application procedures for summer 2025 session

NOTE: The Application for Financial Aid - Summer 2025 will be added to your To-Do list in WINGS after you register for summer classes and have a 2025-26 FAFSA on file at UWL.

In addition to filing the 2025-2026 FAFSA and submitting all requested paperwork, students must also complete an Application for Financial Aid - Summer 2025. We work the applications in the order they are received.  

In order to receive federal loans for the summer session, students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits for undergraduates and 5 credits for graduates). Students who are Pell Grant eligible may be eligible for a Pell Grant in the summer even if they are below half-time. 

Once eligibility has been determined, students will receive an e-mail stating their financial aid offer is available. Follow the instructions for accepting the offer. Failure to do so will result in the financial aid offer being cancelled. 

The financial aid application process must be completed prior to the last day of summer session classes. Therefore, it is advisable to apply no later than July 18th to allow time for processing.

Federal Direct Loans accepted for the summer will reduce the student's 2025-26 Federal Direct Loan eligibility for the academic year, as those amounts count towards a student's annual federal loan limit.

Summer financial aid will be disbursed on the first day of the first summer school session the student is registered for, if all necessary paperwork is completed.  

Less than half-time enrollment for summer session

If a student is enrolled less than half-time and wants aid for the summer session, they can apply for a private student loan. Students are recommended to still complete the Application for Financial Aid - Summer 2025.  

The following private student loans are available to students enrolled less than half-time: 
Sallie Mae SMART Option Loan
UW Credit Union
College Ave

For most students, they rely on their spring financial aid to help pay their winter bill. We’ll begin disbursing spring financial aid on Wednesday, January 22, just after the winter bill is due; however, finance charges will not start until February 8th. As long as winter and spring bills are paid by February 7th, there is no financial penalty.

It could be possible that you may need to look at other loan options should your spring financial aid not cover the winter and spring bills in full.

• Students must have a current academic year FAFSA on file for federal loan options.
• Schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Office if you would like to discuss winter aid options.

 Loan eligibility

• Additional aid opportunities for the winter session typically only come in the form of loans.
• If the student is already receiving the maximum Federal Direct Loan for their grade level, then only Parent PLUS Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans or private student loans might be available. These loans require a separate application.
• Additional eligibility for loans will be limited to the cost of winter session tuition and fees. When fees are known, they should be posted on the Cost to Attend website.
• If the maximum Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan or private student loan has not been borrowed, the borrower can apply for these loans without needing to complete the winter session aid application.

 Winter session billing

• Winter session costs will be billed separately, but any approved winter session aid is part of the spring semester and will be disbursed along with the spring aid.

3 credits in winter intersession and 3 credits in spring semester

Important: If a student is taking 3 credits in winter session and is only taking 3 credits in the spring semester, even though they would be considered half-time for financial aid purposes, they will be considered to be less than half-time for enrollment purposes and will be reported to the National Clearinghouse (and therefore the National Student Loan Data System) as less than half-time. This could cause the student to go into their grace period or repayment on their student loans.

There are numerous education abroad opportunities throughout the year through the Office of International Education & Engagement (IEE). Students can apply for financial aid which may assist with covering part of their program cost.

When completing the necessary paperwork with IEE, students can indicate that they intend to apply for financial aid. Students also have the option to make an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss financial aid and the cost of an education abroad experience. Please note that a student's enrollment in an education abroad program approved for credit by UWL (home institution) may be considered for financial aid. 

There is an Education Abroad Brochure that gives more information regarding the financial aid options for education abroad.