Navigating Summer Classes at Georgia Southern University: A Comprehensive Guide

Georgia Southern University offers summer sessions as an opportunity for students to accelerate their degree progress, catch up on coursework, or explore new subjects. This guide provides a detailed overview of the summer schedule, registration processes, financial aid options, and important policies.

Summer Term Overview

Georgia Southern's summer terms provide a flexible learning environment with various session lengths to accommodate different schedules.

Key Dates

Full Term: Classes begin May 13 and conclude on July 11, with finals on July 12 & 15.
Minimester I: Classes begin May 13 and end on June 12, with finals on June 13.
Minimester II: Classes begin June 17 and end on July 18.

Eligibility and Admission

Summer sessions are open to current Georgia Southern students in good standing, transient students from other institutions, and newly admitted students.

Current Students

Current students in good standing can register for summer sessions through their MyGeorgiaSouthern portal.

Transient Students

Students attending other institutions can take summer courses at Georgia Southern as transient students. To do so, they need a transient permission form from their home institution. This form should specify the courses they are allowed to take and confirm their academic good standing.

Former Students

If you were a student at Georgia Southern and decided to take a break from classes, summer is the perfect time to begin your coursework again! Getting started is easy! If you have been out of school for three semesters or more, complete the Application for Admission as a former student.

Newly Admitted Students

Newly admitted students who are unsure of their eligibility should contact the Office of Admissions for clarification.

Registration Process

Registering for summer classes involves several steps, including obtaining a Registration Access Number (RAN) and using the WINGS system.

Registration Access Number (RAN)

New students receive a RAN during SOAR (Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration).
Current students obtain their RAN during advisement.
You can look up your Registration Access Number (RAN) in the Registration Information section.

Using WINGS

Log into MyGeorgiaSouthern.
Click on WINGS.
Use your Eagle ID number to register for classes, pay tuition and fees, view your schedule and grades, and request transcripts.

Financial Aid Options

Several financial aid options are available to help students finance their summer courses, including federal loans, grants, and payment plans.

Federal Stafford Loans

Students who did not borrow the full annual federal loan amounts during the fall and spring semesters may have remaining loan eligibility for the summer term. Summer loans are awarded based on the remaining eligibility of yearly loan limits. Calculation of the annual Stafford student loan limits will remain the same; students who receive their full annual loan during the Fall and Spring semesters will not have Stafford loan eligibility for Summer.

Read also: The Dynasty of Excellence

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Parents of dependent undergraduate students who have received their maximum Stafford Loan amounts or have no remaining eligibility can apply for a PLUS loan. If you are a dependent student, have already received the maximum amount in loans, and you and your parent feel you need additional funds, you may apply for the Federal Direct (Parent)PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov.

Graduate PLUS Loans

Graduate students who have received their maximum loan amounts or need additional funds can apply for the federal direct graduate/professional plus loan.

Private Loans

If eligible, the Financial Aid office will certify a private loan; however, they do not make lender recommendations to students.

HOPE Scholarship

Students who did not qualify as incoming freshmen can be checked for HOPE eligibility at 30, 60, and 90 attempted hours. These grants are based on remaining eligibility for undergraduate students.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To qualify for financial aid, students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). In order to receive financial aid a student must be meeting requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Read also: Choosing Your UGA Major

Federal Aid for Graduate Students

If you’re a graduate student planning to take Summer courses and plan to use federal financial aid, it’s important to understand how your Program of Study and loan usage affect your eligibility.

To receive any federal student loan during the Summerterm-including Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Graduate PLUS Loans-you must be enrolled at least half-time, which for graduate students means a minimum of 3 graduate-level credit hours that apply toward your official program of study.
Graduate students have an annual borrowing limit for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan to help cover your Summer balance.
Make sure your Summer enrollment includes at least 3 hours of graduate coursework that counts toward your degree.

Important Financial Aid Resources

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is required to be checked for Federal Aid eligibility for Summer 2026.

Payment Options

The Office of Student Accounts offers a payment plan through Nelnet for students with current registration. Students can sign up for the plan by the deadline dates listed in the following links.

Tuition Payment Plans

Tuition payment plans break down your tuition balance into affordable monthly payments. There’s no interest, payment options are flexible, setup fees are affordable, and it’s easy to enroll! Make college more affordable by paying for tuition and fees over time.

Important Policies

First Day Attendance Policy

University policy requires all students to attend the first class meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend the first class meeting of a course for which they are registered will be dropped from the course. This policy applies to all levels of courses. It is the student’s responsibility to verify course drops and check that fees are adjusted. Yes. If you do not attend the first day of class, you will be dropped from the course.

SOAR

SOAR is Georgia Southern’s new student orientation. New students will be given a RAN during SOAR, and current students will obtain a RAN during advisement. Considering living on-campus? Once open, this will be located under “Folio” in your MyGeorgiaSouthern student portal.

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