Ready to Think Summer? Summer classes can speed up the time to graduation

For students who want to get a head start on their college coursework, squeeze in some extra classes to speed time to graduation or have more flexibility during the academic year, summer courses might be the answer.

Purdue University is encouraging both high school students who want to get a jump-start and current undergraduates to consider enrolling in summer courses for 2019. Registration is open now for students with senior registration status. Open registration begins March 4.

Maggie Walker, a freshman studying communications, participated in summer courses in 2018. She says taking courses before she started her freshman year at Purdue helped her gain confidence and clear some classes off her plate. She says she’s a semester ahead now and is on track to graduate early.

“I wanted to be able to get a head start and get acclimated with campus,” Walker said. “But it has put me ahead and has given me more flexibility for the rest of my time at Purdue.”

John Gipson, director of summer session, wants to emphasize that summer courses are available for all Purdue students. Building summer classes into student schedules can make all the difference when it comes to cost savings and graduating on time or early.

“There are some students who want to do a ton of different things while they’re at Purdue,” Gipson said. “Summer can help give them the opportunity to fit in everything they want while still graduating in four years.”

Last year, 16,696 students participated in at least one summer course at Purdue.

This year, degree-seeking students can use their 2019-2020 FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to plan for summer courses. Previously, students had to file two different FAFSAs. Leo Hertling, associate director of financial aid, said the change will allow students to better plan how to use their loan eligibility for the whole year instead of just fall and spring, and will allow them to use their financial aid more strategically.

A new summer scholarship is also available for students facing homelessness or those who have previously been in foster care. Faculty or staff who know of students who fit this criteria should contact Gipson directly. 

Writer: Abbey Nickel, 765, 496-1325, nickela@purdue.edu

Sources: John Gipson, 765-494-5296, gipsonj@purdue.edu

Leo Hertling, hertling@purdue.edu