Obtaining summer grants has changed
- posted: 27 Feb 2007
- scrollcampus@byui.edu
For students taking classes this summer, financial help is available. BYU‑Idaho is offering grants for summer semester. The process of getting one is a little different from past summer semesters.
Money is still available,
said Kent Jackson, director of student financial aid. It’s just being disbursed differently.
In the past, students received summer grants on a first-come-first-served basis. Now, the administration will give the grants to students who need it the most.
Emergencies such as unemployment or sudden medical issues can qualify a student for a grant.
The first step is to complete the FAFSA to see if a student qualifies for government Pell Grants.
The grants that BYU‑Idaho gives are private not government grants. They consist mostly of money donated to the university by people who wish it to go to students with the most need. These grants must be applied for in the Financial Aid Office in the Kimball 100.
We are more than willing to help,
said Mike Kelley, financial aid administrator. But it’s important that students do all they can to help themselves first. And above all else, we want students to stay out of debt as much as possible.
Information can be found in the Financial Aid Office on how to stay debt-free through careful budgeting, planning, grants and scholarships.
If you’re struggling, come in and talk to us,
Jackson said. That’s what we’re here for.
Grants aren’t the only option to finance summer semester.
Don’t forget that scholarships are also available,
Jackson said. Scholarships are based more on merit than on financial need but can help to ease the financial burden.
One scholarship recently advertised to students is the Heber J. Grant Scholarship Program. Students qualify by demonstrating merit in trying circumstances.
For example, if a student’s parents did not obtain college degrees or are not active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or if the student was raised in a single-parent home or had to overcome long-term disadvantages he or she can qualify for this scholarship.
The Scholarship Office is located in the Spencer W. Kimball Building, next to the Financial Aid Office. More information about scholarships can be found on the BYU‑I admissions web site. 
