Federal financial aid is available through the Direct PLUS loan for qualifying students registered for a minimum of three (3) degree-applicable credits, which includes on-campus/online courses, externships, and study abroad programs. Please review the cost of attendance (below) to learn how living expense refunds, if applicable, are calculated. The summer term has a separate cost of attendance and receipt of summer financial aid does not affect eligibility in a future term.
Summer financial aid is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress, which is evaluated after all spring grades are finalized, and typically occurs in early to mid-June. Living expense refunds, if applicable, are generally available 5-7 business days after financial aid has disbursed to the school and cannot be released early.
Students enrolled at another institution visiting AUWCL for summer courses or programs are not eligible to receive financial aid through AUWCL and must work with their home institution to determine eligibility. Should the home institution require additional information related to the cost of attendance, please email finaid@wcl.american.edu.
Please note: The Direct Unsubsidized loan and the following institutional financial aid are not available during the summer term: WCL need-based grant; Admissions, Dean’s, Faculty, Judicial, Jurist, WCL, WCL Achievement, and full-time Capital Merit Scholarships; and WCL restricted scholarships.
Federal financial aid is available to AUWCL students enrolled in an approved study abroad program (minimum of three credits).
Students studying abroad receive an additional allocation for international travel and local transportation. Currency adjustments are considered for all study abroad programs. Housing for abroad programs is included in the tuition cost; in lieu of housing, students receive an equal allocation of additional personal and food expenses in the COA. Should an individual program cover any expenses within the COA, students will not be eligible to receive federal aid for those expenses. Please see the Cost of Attendance section below for more details.
FWS during the summer term provides a limited number of stipends to qualifying continuing students (JD only) working for an eligible off-campus public interest employer. Continuing JD students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, as well as a separate AUWCL Summer FWS Application (linked below when available). Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens are eligible to apply for FWS.
The Summer FWS Application is completed in the spring semester and announced when available. Award determinations are made by the AUWCL Financial Aid Office based on available funding and the number of qualifying applicants. Additional paperwork is required for off-campus employers and all deadlines must be met to maintain eligibility.
Per federal regulations, FWS awards are included in the summer cost of attendance and reduce the amount that may be borrowed for summer living expenses. Students must enroll in degree-applicable summer courses (3 or more credits) for the full length of the summer term. Students may appeal with the AUWCL Financial Aid Office to waive the three credit enrollment requirement; however, if approved, the summer FWS earnings must be applied to the fall semester financial aid and reduces federal loan and living expense refund eligibility.
FWS awards are earned during the term and received via paycheck beginning approximately two weeks after the employment start date. The hourly rate is determined by the D.C. minimum wage. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week for a pre-determined (by the AUWCL Financial Aid Office) 10 week period.
The summer 2023 FWS application is available online.
Minimum enrollment of 3 credits is required for federal financial aid awarded through an approved Direct PLUS Loan.
Summer 2023 Standard Charges:
Tuition (per credit) - $2,216
Student Fee (one-time) - $41
(Tuition x Numbers of Credits) + Student Fee = Billable Charges for Summer Term
For questions regarding billable charges for the summer term, please contact the AU Office of Student Accounts (aucentral@american.edu).
Additional Cost of Attendance Components (Weekly):
Housing - $430
Food - $154
Transportation - $41
Personal - $42
Total Weekly Allocation - $667
Allocation is determined by the dates of your classes, including one additional week for finals, and capped at ten weeks with a two week minimum requirement.
Books/Supplies (3-5 credits) - $275
Books/Supplies (6+ credits) - $550
In compliance with federal regulations, AUWCL’s policy is to use the average loan fees of all borrowers. Federal loan recipients may borrow up to an additional $108 per credit to help offset federal loan fees incurred at disbursement.
Students studying abroad in an approved AUWCL program receive an additional $1,700 in the COA for international travel and local transportation. Currency adjustments are considered for all study abroad programs. Housing for abroad programs is included in the tuition cost; in lieu of housing, students receive an equal allocation of additional personal and food expenses in the COA. Should an individual program cover any expenses within the COA, students will not be eligible to receive federal aid for those expenses.
The summer financial aid application is made available annually on the first day of summer registration with a priority deadline of May 1. An announcement will be made in the WCL On the Docket Email and the link will be posted here when the application is available.
For eligible students who have completed all requirements, award notices are emailed in mid- to late May.
The summer 2023 financial aid application is available online.
Please note: Summer registration must be complete before the AUWCL Financial Aid will process summer financial aid. If selecting 'Registration is NOT complete' (on the application), you must submit a new application once your registration is complete.