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 enrolled in 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'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 school year.
Read more about Summer Pell Grant
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 $5,101 and will enroll in six or more hours.
- I have an EFC less than $5,501 and will enroll in nine or more hours.
- I have an EFC less than $5,712 and will enroll in 12 or more hours.
- I did not attend fall 2020 and/or spring 2021. I have an EFC less than $3,801 and will enroll in less than six hours. Eligibility based on cost of attendance.
- I was less than full time in fall 2019 and/or spring 2020. I have an EFC less than $3,801 and will enroll in less than six hours. Eligibility based on cost of attendance.
If you qualify for the Pell Grant, you may use part of your lifetime Pell Grant eligibility for summer semesters. You must enroll at least half time (six credit hours). The grant can be applied to summer tuition and fees.
Pell Grants have both an annual limit and a lifetime usage limit. 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.
For the summer 2021 semester, if you used your full-time Pell Grant offer during the fall and spring semesters, you may be eligible for additional Pell for the summer. You must enroll in and attend six credit hours. You must first use 100% of your annual Pell limit to be eligible for the additional summer Pell.
If you have not used 100% of your 2019-2020 Pell Grant and have a qualifying Expected Family Contribution (EFC), you may use the annual remainder prorated for enrollment if you are enrolled in at least three credit hours. If you are registered for six or more hours, you qualify for additional Pell up to 50% of your annual award, based on your summer enrollment level.
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 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 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 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.