Summer Session

Summer Session is part of the Approved Semester Calendar. There are two standard 6-week sessions (SI or SII). Within each 6-week session are two 3-week terms: SI-A and SI-B or SII-C and SSII-D. Both the 6-week sessions and 3-week terms have specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications. 

In addition, courses may be offered in non-standard formats, typically in 4- , 5- , 8- , 10- , or 12-week formats. Whereas non-standard courses may begin after the last final exam of the spring semester, no course can meet after the last official day of the overall Summer Session.  

For specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications, see Summer Session – Academic and Financial Deadlines. 

Students use Summer Session to meet pre-requisites, repeat a course, fulfill General Education or major requirements, reduce their course load for an upcoming semester, take a course that is usually filled in fall or spring semester, prevent academic dismissal, or to graduate (on-time or August). Over 85% of those enrolled in Summer Session are UMD students and over 55% are rising juniors or seniors.

Academic units should review enrollments for courses in the previous Summer Session as well as review courses with waitlists from the past fall and spring semesters to consider the potential demand. For the 3-week, accelerated terms, academic units should offer courses that are especially suited to these condensed formats.

In Summer Session, academic units offer courses that meet General Education or major requirements, internships, and special topic courses. In addition, academic units can develop and offer special offerings such as a course-program that targets a specific audience.  

Courses (300-level and above) can be offered at the Universities of Shady Grove or the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland. Such offerings are part of the overall Summer Session portfolio and distribution. Academic units scheduling in-person classes at these locations are responsible for obtaining classroom space and securing all necessary arrangements.

Courses offered in Summer Session must meet the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) policies on "contact hours". Both in-person and online learning formats are welcomed. 

For complete information on syllabi, textbooks, final grades, inclement weather and more, see Office of Faculty Affairs – Teaching Policies and Guidelines. 

For Summer Session, students are assessed tuition, mandatory services fees, and if approved, course fees or program fees.

Tuition

Assessed at the University-approved per credit rate based on student status (graduate or undergraduate) and residency (in-state or out-of-state).  

• Determination of residency status is made according to the Board of Regents Policy on Student Residency Classification. 

Mandatory Services Fees

Assessed for course registration in SSI, I-A, and I-B and SSII, II-C, and II-D.

• Campus fee: Assessed for classes that meet on campus, even if just one class meeting.
• Distance learning fee: Assessed for classes that meet 100% online or offsite such as an internship.
• Shady Grove Summer fee: Assessed at the per credit hour to cover support services for courses held at the Shady Grove location.

Course Fees

Assessed if student registers for a course with a University-approved fee (lab, studio, materials).

Program Fees

Assessed if student registers for a course with a University-approved program fee.

Student Payment Schedule

The payment schedule for registration associated with classes offered in Summer Session is in alignment with University protocols and is posted at Summer Session – Academic and Financial Deadlines.

Financial Aid, Tuition Remission, Third-Party Billing, EXST Grant

• Financial aid is limited to UMD degree-seeking students. The Office of Student Financial Aid provides expert assistance on all financial aid-related questions.
• UMD-employees who qualify for tuition remission should contact University Human Resources – Tuition Remission to determine eligibility guidelines. Employees of University of Maryland System schools must contact their institution’s human resources unit for this information. Each institution has their own processes.
• Students who rely on others to pay their tuition use Student Financial Services – Third Party / Sponsored Billing.
• The EXST grant supports eligible UMD degree-seeking students as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Extended Studies Administrative Fee

• For provided administrative services, EXST charges a per seat fee.
• The Provost-approved fee is adjusted annually. Contact exst@umd.edu for more information.

Direct Expenses

• Course-related costs includes instructional salaries, fringe benefits, supplies and materials, and the EXST administrative fee.
• Information on allowable expenses is published in the scheduling instructions.

Net Revenue 

• Distributable tuition revenue less direct expenses.

Distribution 

• Summer Session net revenue is distributed by December 1 to the Provost, College Deans, and Departments.
• Based on the historical average of total distribution (2008-2022), the Provost has received @38%, College Deans @13%, and Departments @50%.
• Special course-program net revenue is included in the aforementioned.

Overhead

• EXST absorbs the campus overhead rate on all direct expenses.

• For course and program assistance, contact Anne Baum, Associate Director, Summer, Winter, and Undergraduate Programs, at 5-7762 or abaum@umd.edu.
• For budgeting, distribution, and operational assistance, contact Andrew Leighton, Director of Finance and Operations, at 5-0212 or aleighto@umd.edu.
• For Summer Session, academic units use summer@umd.edu (general questions) or summer-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related), or exst@umd.edu.