Guide to Attending Summer Courses
At Princeton University, students who wish to take summer courses at other institutions as part of their AB or BSE degree program need to follow a specific approval process.
The Approval Process
- Consult Your Academic Department or Advisor: It's essential to get prior approval from your academic department or advisor. This often involves submitting your proposed external summer course plan for review to ensure the courses align with your degree requirements.
- Coordinate with University Officials: You may need to file a formal petition or complete a transfer credit request form specifying the courses and their equivalencies. This process typically involves coordinating with the University Registrar or Undergraduate Academic Services.
Potential Funding Opportunities
Princeton may have internal funding mechanisms or summer grants that might cover educational costs if the program qualifies as a scholarly or internship experience. Students seeking funding for summer study outside Princeton often explore external scholarships or grants, but Princeton individual financial aid awards for external summer courses are limited and depend on individual circumstances.
It's recommended to consult Princeton’s Office of Financial Aid and your academic department early to ask about specific summer funding options, especially for courses abroad or at other institutions.
The SIFP Summer STEM Fellows Program
The SIFP Summer STEM Fellows program offers on-campus housing, a small stipend, transportation, and academic benefits for students who wish to take STEM requirements at Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey. Interested students should attend an info session, submit approval forms, and complete the SIFP application.
Important Considerations
- Students participating in this program are expected to serve as mentors for the FSI summer program.
- Meeting with Dean Bogucki early is advised for BSE students.
- The Office of Financial Aid can provide subsidized loans for summer courses.
- No factual information about policy-based internships, summer 2019 cheat sheet, or what to do when rejected from both PICS and IIP was provided.
- The SIFP website contains a comprehensive outline of the approval process.
- More detailed information on this process can be found on the Office of the Dean of the College website.
- Students should start the process of getting approval for summer courses early.
- Before filling out any forms, students should meet with their Director of Studies, faculty adviser, and/or department representative.
Key Points
- Approval requires departmental consultation and formal approval for transfer credit.
- Potential tuition funding may come from Princeton internship programs or limited summer financial aid, but external scholarships may also be necessary.
- Direct contact with your advisor and financial aid office is essential to clarify exact procedures and funding availability.
- Summer courses can be a great way to satisfy requirements and obtain more flexibility with your schedule at Princeton.
- Several offices need to approve summer course plans.
- The process of getting approval for summer courses can be complex, so it's important to start early and seek guidance from your academic department and financial aid office.
- For students considering online education as part of their education-and-self-development, they should consult with their academic department or advisor to ensure any external courses align with their degree requirements and participate in the formal approval process.
- As students explore learning opportunities beyond Princeton University, they may consider scholarships or grants to fund their online education. It is recommended to consult Princeton's Office of Financial Aid early to inquire about potential funding options.
