ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Below are the cost of attendance budgets for students attending only one 5-week session for Summer 2026. 

The figures used for all categories (except Tuition & Fees and On Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students in the 2021 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission.  The figures have been adjusted for 5 weeks (2 month budget). 

Summer Cost of Attendance for one 5-week session

Tuition and Mandatory Fees will be based on the actual amount of tuition and fees you are charged for Summer 2026. Refer to the Student Accounting and Cashiering Services website for details on the tuition and fee charges for Summer 2026.

Below are the cost of attendance budgets for students attending 10 weeks for Summer 2026.  This could be students who are enrolled in any of the following combinations:

• 10 week session
• 5 Week Session 1 + 5 Week Session 2
• 5 Week Session 1 + 10 Week Session
• 5 Week Session 2 + 10 Week Session

The figures used for all categories (except Tuition & Fees and On Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students in the 2021 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission.  The figures have been adjusted for 10 weeks (3 month budget). 

Summer Cost of Attendance for 10 weeks

Tuition and Mandatory Fees will be based on the actual amount of tuition and fees you are charged for Summer 2026. Refer to the Student Accounting and Cashiering Services website for details on the tuition and fee charges for Summer 2026.

A standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of attendance at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. The figures used for all categories (except Tuition & Fees and On Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students in the 2021 (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission.  1,500 students from Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ were contacted regarding the survey – and the response rate was 32.47%. 

Amounts are updated annually based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index for non-surveyed years.

No distinction is made with respect to the mode of instruction in determining costs – students enrolled in online courses or a fully online program have the same elements included in their cost of attendance budget.

• Tuition & Mandatory Fees: Cost paid to Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for courses, includes mandatory campus fees.  This figure is based off your actual enrollment & charges for the summer. Refer to the Student Accounting & Cashiering Services website for amounts.
  
  
• Food & Housing: The average cost per academic year to live in the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ / LA County area while attending Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances (on-campus, off-campus, living at home)
   
  • Commuter Food & Housing reflects the lower costs of living at home. 
  • Off-Campus Food & Housing is based on the average amount reported by Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students on the 2021 SEARS survey.  These figures assume a roommate.
    • Food =  $827 per month
    • Housing = $1,314 per month
      
      
• Books, Supplies, Course Materials: The average amount students spend on books, supplies and course materials.
  
  
• Transportation:   The average transportation cost between campus, residences, and place of work (includes bus fare, gasoline, tolls, parking, etc.).  Amount does not include car payments, insurance, repairs or license fees.
  
  
• Personal Expenses:   The average amount for personal expenses which includes clothing, personal care, cell phone plan, and health care costs not covered by insurance.
  
  
• Federal Direct Loan Fees:   For students who borrow a Direct Loan, the average cost of the loan origination fee; for parents who borrow a Direct PLUS loan on behalf of their dependent student, the actual cost of the PLUS loan origination fee.

AB990 and SB467 Information - Housing Costs within 5-mile radius of Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Campus (as of February 1, 2026):

• 1 bedroom: $2,331
• 2 bedroom: $2,906
• 2 bedrooms - renting own room: $1,453
• 3 bedrooms - renting own room: $1,229
• 4 bedrooms - renting own room: $1,025

(Data source - within a 5-mile radius of Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ campus)

The above housing costs are updated yearly on February 1st. It is important to understand the above average cost is for rent only and does not include cost of food, utilities, garbage, rental deposit, and other necessary expenses for housing. Most students share an apartment to reduce their housing cost.

In addition to the elements included in our standard Summer COA Budgets, the following elements can be included on a case-by-case basis, using our Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request form (available through the ):

Computer Purchase: Reasonable costs related to the rental or upfront purchase of a personal computer.

Study Abroad Expenses:  Reasonable costs (including travel, visa, passport, etc.) for students participating in a study abroad program approved for credit by Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.

Dependent care:  Expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of the student’s dependents.

• The period for which dependent care is required includes, but is not limited to, class-time, study-time, field work, internships, and commuting time.
• Such allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which the student resides for the kind of care provided

Disability-related expenses: Expenses associated with a student’s disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided for by other agencies.

Cooperative education cost:  Students engaged in a work experience under a cooperative education program, an allowance for reasonable costs associated with such employment.

Additional Room costs:  Students whose housing costs are in excess of the amount included in the standard budget can submit a cost of attendance appeal (and documentation) to have their budget increased to account for the additional costs.

Additional Transportation costs:  Students whose transportation costs are in excess of the amount included in the standard budget can submit a cost of attendance appeal (and documentation) to have their budget increased to account for the additional costs.

Federal Direct Student Loans - Summer Eligibility

If you are enrolled in at least 3 units this summer (half-time for graduate students) and did not borrow your full Federal Direct Loan eligibility during the 2025-26 academic year, you may be able to use your remaining loan eligibility to help cover summer costs.

Summer loans are not additional funds beyond your annual limit - they are any unused loan eligibility from the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a Summer Federal Direct Loan, you must:

• Must have a 2025-26 FAFSA Application on file with Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
• Have no outstanding items on your To Do List.
• Must meet the general financial aid eligibility requirements
• Have a financial aid eligible SAP Status (Meets, Warning, Probation)
• Be enrolled in at least 3 degree-applicable units (half-time for graduate students)
• Have unused Direct Loan eligibility remaining from the 2025-26 academic year

If eligible, your available loan amount will be included in your summer financial aid offer.

How Much Can I Borrow?

The amount you can borrow for summer depends on:

• Your annual
• How much you already borrowed during fall and spring
• Your summer cost of attendance
• Your remaining

You can review your annual and lifetime loan limits by logging into the .

Your summer loan eligibility is generally the difference between:

• Your annual loan limit, minus
• What you already borrowed during the academic year

Your total summer financial aid (including loans) cannot exceed your summer cost of attendance.

Example
If you were offered:

• $20,500 in Unsubsidized Loans

And you only accepted $10,000 of your Unsubsidized Loan during Fall and Spring, you could be eligible to borrow up to:

• $10,500 Unsubsidized Loan

If You Borrowed the Maximum Already

If you already borrowed your full annual Direct Loan eligibility, you may consider borrowing a  as an alternative option.

Deadline for Accepting Your Loan

You must complete all steps to receive your summer loan prior to the end of your summer classes.  The deadlines for Summer 2026 are:

• Session I only, Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than June 26 (funds will not be released until July 2)
• Sessions I and II (enrolled in BOTH): Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31
• Session II only: Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31
• Full Session (10 weeks): Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31

Due to changes taking place beginning with Fall 2026, we recommend accepting and completing all required steps for your Summer loan no later than June 21, 2026.

Eligibility

are available to graduate students who have reached their annual or lifetime borrowing limits under the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. These loans can cover your remaining summer costs of education not covered by other aid received. PLUS loans are available only to borrowers who do not have adverse credit histories.

To be eligible for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the Summer, you must meet the following criteria:

• • • Must have a 2025-26 FAFSA Application on file with Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
    • Have no outstanding items on your To Do List.
    • Must meet the general financial aid eligibility requirements
    • Have a financial aid eligible SAP Status (Meets, Warning, Probation)
    • Be enrolled in at least 3 degree-applicable units (half-time for graduate students)

How Much Can I Borrow For The Summer?

The maximum PLUS Loan amount borrowed cannot exceed your summer cost of education minus any other financial assistance. A Graduate PLUS Loan may be an option to help cover educational expenses if you have borrowed your maximum annual Direct Student Loan amount.

How Can I ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½?

• To apply for a Summer Direct Grad PLUS Loan, you must:
  • 1. Visit the
    2. Log in with your - the same login used for your FAFSA
    3. Complete the Grad PLUS Loan application
    4. Submit the application for a credit check

Tips on ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ing:

• • • Make sure you select the correct Award Year at the top of the application (example: Summer 2026 would be the 2025-2026 year)
    • Carefully read the options about in-school and post-enrollment deferment
    • Make sure the loan is sent to Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ - School Code/Branch 001144 - not other schools with similar names such as Cal Poly
    • Choose the right Loan Period:
      • To apply for Summer 2026, use June 2026 through August 2026

Additional Requirements 

Funds cannot be disbursed to your account until all requirements are complete. Borrowers must complete a Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) for the loan. After you are approved for the loan, you must:

• 1. Log into the with your
  2. Accept terms and conditions if prompted, then you should be in your Dashboard
  3. In the CHECKLISTS section of your Dashboard page, click on "I'M IN SCHOOL"
  4. Under "I'M IN SCHOOL" click on Complete Entrance Counseling
  5. Scroll down to the "I am a Graduate or Professional Student" section, and click the "Start" button
  6. Complete and submit your Entrance Counseling, and make sure you list Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ as a school that you want notified that it has been completed (School Code 001144)
  7. To return to your Dashboard, click on your name in the top right hand side of the screen, and choose Dashboard from the options
  8. In the CHECKLISTS section of your Dashboard page, click on "I'M IN SCHOOL"
  9. Under "I'M IN SCHOOL" click on Complete MPN (i.e., Loan Agreement)
  10. Scroll down to the "I am a Graduate or Professional Student" section, and click the "Select MPN Type" button
  11. Scroll down to the "MPN for Direct PLUS Loans" section, and click the "Start" button
  12. Complete and submit the MPN
•  

Deadline to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Requests for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the Summer must be received prior to the end of your summer classes. 

You must complete all steps to receive your loan prior to the end of your summer classes.  The deadlines for Summer 2026 are:

• Session I only, Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than June 26 (funds will not be released until July 2)
• Sessions I and II (enrolled in BOTH): Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31
• Session II only: Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31
• Full Session (10 weeks): Accept your loan and complete all steps no later than July 31

Due to changes taking place beginning with Fall 2026, we recommend applying for, and completing all required steps for your Summer loan no later than June 21, 2026.

Private Education Loans - Summer Option

If you have explored all other financial aid options and still need additional assistance to cover your summer costs, you may consider applying for a private education loan through the lender of your choice.

Private loans can help cover remaining educational costs, but they are different from federal student loans and should be considered carefully.

While Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ cannot recommend specific lenders, general loan comparison information is available on our Loan Information page to help you make an informed decision.

Before ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ing for a Private Loan

We strongly encourage you to

• Exhaust all federal financial aid options first
• Consider a private loan only if you have reached your federal loan limit or are not eligible for federal aid
• Understand that private loans often have higher interest rates
• Be aware that interest typically accrues while you are enrolled in school
• Plan for a co-signer, as most lenders require one with strong credit
• ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for only one private loan at a time

How to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for a Summer Private Loan?

To request a private loan for the summer:

• ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ with the lender of your choice
• After applying, complete the Summer Private Loan Request form in the 

The Summer Private Loan Request Form will be available beginning March 17, 2026.

Your loan cannot be certified by the university until both steps are completed.

Application Deadline

Private Loan requests must be submitted before the end of your summer classes.

For Summer 2026:

• Session I only:  ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ by June 26 (if approved, funds will not be released until July 2)
  
• Sessions I and II (enrolled in BOTH): ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ by July 31
• Session II only: ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ by July 31
• Full Session (10 weeks): ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ by July 31

We encourage you to apply early to allow time for lender processing and university certification.

If you're unsure whether a private loan is the right option for your situation, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is here to help you review your options and understand your responsibilities before borrowing.

General Eligibility Criteria

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will automatically review students who meet the following criteria for Summer Financial Aid - beginning the week of March 23, 2026:

• Enrolled in at least three units of coursework in Summer 2026
• Do not have a May 2026 Graduation Check-Out on file
• Have an official 2025-2026 FAFSA on file with Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
• Have no outstanding To-Do List items.
• Have an aid-eligible SAP Status during Spring 2026 (Meets, Warning, Probation)

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify EdD students who are reviewed and packaged with summer financial aid through their Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ email address.

Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS) for the summer will only be released when you are enrolled in at least 3 units of summer coursework.

The anticipated initial release date of financial aid for Summer 2026 is May 26, 2025 (if enrolled classes that begin on June 3rd).

Summer Financial Aid will begin to be released to your account up to 8 days prior to the first day of your first summer class as long as you meet all other eligibility to receive financial aid including having no open To Do items, enrolled in minimum units required for the aid, and having an aid-eligible SAP Status.

Examples:

• Student A is enrolled in three units during the 1st 5 Week Session (Start date of June 3) and three units during the 2nd 5 Week Session (start date of July 9). This student’s Federal Direct Loan will release on May 26.
  
  
• Student B is enrolled in six units, all during the 2nd 5 Week Session (start date of July 9). This student's Federal Direct Loan will release on July 2, which is the earliest date funds can be released due to fiscal year end close.

If your current SAP Status during the Spring semester is Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Probation, your summer financial aid will not be released until after we have completed our review of Spring grades and academic performance.

All offers of summer financial aid are contingent on students successfully completing courses for the Spring 2026 semester. We will review grades and academic performance at the end of the Spring semester and if you do not meet the requirements of our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, your summer financial aid will be canceled. If any summer financial aid funds have been disbursed prior to the SAP review, you will be billed.

If your current SAP Status during the Spring semester is Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Probation, your summer financial aid will not be released until after we have completed our review of Spring grades and academic performance.

The decision about whether or not to drop a class is an academic issue; however, it is your responsibility to understand the financial implications of this decision. Dropping a class may impact your aid eligibility for the current - and future - semesters.

Before you drop a summer class, read the refund and withdrawal policies in the Summer Class Schedule.

Dropping some of your courses

If you receive financial aid for summer and you drop one or more classes but not all classes before the end of the session, you may be required to repay part or all of the funds you received. If the withdrawal results in enrollment in fewer than 3 units for summer, your financial aid is subject to cancellation.

Dropping all of your courses

If you receive financial aid for summer and you withdraw from all courses before the end of the term, you will most likely be required to return a portion of your aid. A calculation will be performed based on when you last attended and/or withdrew from your courses.

Your Satisfactory Academic Progress status will be affected if you drop a course during the summer and it results in a grade of W.

Review our Financial Aid Policies page for more information about Withdrawal, Refund, and Repayment - and the impact that withdrawing from your courses may have on your aid.