Winter Session

Students are eligible to receive federal student aid for Winter Session courses which apply towards their degree program.  Winter Session is not its own term and is part of the fall term for financial aid awards.  Units taken during the Winter Session are combined with completed units from the fall term to determine financial aid eligibility.  Specific information is listed below by student career.

Undergraduate Students

All undergraduate students who have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will automatically have their annual cost of attendance (COA) increased for their Winter Session tuition and fees charges.  The additional cost will be added to the fall budget at the start of the Winter Session for those enrolled.  If you would like to be reviewed for additional loans* based on your increased COA, you should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) after beginning attendance in a Winter Session course. 

*Note:  Federal Direct Loans require at least ½-time enrollment (6 units).  Students cannot exceed annual loans limits on student loans.

Federal Pell Grant recipients only

Federal Pell Grant will be recalculated for the fall term on students who start in a Winter Session course. Please visit our Pell Recalculation Policy page for this year’s Winter Pell Recalculation Date (PRD). The recalculation will include total fall enrollment at the end of the date posted.  Total enrollment is based only on active Winter Session and completed units for the fall term.  This recalculation could result in either an increase or decrease to the fall Pell payment based on current enrollment on the PRD. Refer to the chart below for Pell Grant eligibility based on total current units:

Graduate Students

All graduate students who have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) may have their annual cost of attendance (COA) adjusted per request to include Winter Session tuition and fees charges for their primary program.  If you would like to be reviewed for a COA adjustment and additional loans** based on your increased COA, you should contact OSFA after the start of the Winter Session. 

**Note:  Federal Direct Loans require at least ½-time enrollment (5 units).  Students cannot exceed annual loans limits on student loans.