Winter Aid
Winter Intersession Financial Aid
Students may be eligible to receive certain financial aid programs for Winter Intersession courses that apply toward their degree program. For the purpose of registration and billing, the Winter Intersession operates as a standalone term. For financial aid awarding purposes, Winter Intersession coursework is added into the current fall semester to determine eligibility.
Students who have a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file and who wish to be considered for financial aid for their Winter Intersession enrollment, shall have their annual Cost of Attendance (COA) budget increased to account for their Winter Intersession tuition and fee charges and estimated book and supply expenses, and if applicable on-campus housing and dining charges. With the increased COA, students enrolled at least half-time (combined fall semester and winter intersession) may qualify for the following student loans programs:
Student Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
The federal government sets limits on the amount of money a student can borrow under the Federal Direct Loan program. The University of Kentucky awards students who have filed a FAFSA the maximum amount eligible under such limits. The annual limit applies to the most a student can borrow in one academic year, while the aggregate limit applies to the maximum a student can borrow in a lifetime.
For consideration of a Federal Direct Loan for the Winter Intersession, you must be registered for Winter Intersession by the last day to register/add a course for Winter Intersession, but should be initiated as soon as possible to ensure funds are available by the billing due date. If you have not borrowed a Federal Direct Loan previously, you must also complete Entrance Loan Counseling and sign a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
The Federal PLUS Loan program is available to parents of undergraduate dependent students and to graduate/professional students, who need funding beyond Federal Direct Loans. A PLUS Loan borrower may receive a PLUS Loan up to the total estimated COA less financial aid resources received by the student. Applicants must be credit-worthy to qualify for this program. To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, the borrower must go to http://studentaid.gov/app/launchPLUS.action. To ensure consideration for the PLUS Loan, the request should be made on or before the last day to register/add a course for Winter Intersession, but should be initiated as soon as possible to ensure funds are available by the billing due date. First-time Graduate PLUS borrowers must also complete Entrance Loan Counseling.
There are several private commercial educational loan options to assist students and families in meeting college costs. Students should only consider obtaining a private loan if funds are needed above and beyond the amount of Federal Direct Loans or the student doesn’t qualify for additional federal financial aid. Students are also encouraged to compare private loan costs with those of the Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
Most private lenders heavily rely on the creditworthiness of the student and cosigner to determine whether a loan application will be approved or not, as well as the interest rate to be assessed. Visit the Private Loan Comparison Chart if you would like to access a comprehensive comparison of Private Educational Lenders University of Kentucky students have used during the past three years.
To ensure consideration for Private Educational Loan, the request should be made on or before the last day to register/add a course for Winter Intersession, but should be initiated as soon as possible to ensure funds are available by the billing due date.
Scholarships and Grants
Academic Scholarships awarded to students during the fall semester are not available to students for the Winter Intersession.
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) regulations allow for combining winter intersession credit hours with fall semester credit hours to determine eligibility for the College Access Program (CAP) Grant and the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). Kentucky students eligible for CAP or KEES who enrolled part-time in the fall and who enroll in the Winter Intersession shall be considered and awarded accordingly.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students who have been placed on Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Probation for the Fall Semester and who enroll in the Winter Intersession shall be evaluated for SAP progress at the conclusion of the Winter Intersession instead of the end of the Fall Semester.