Summer Session —
Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want to take Summer Session courses?

Summer courses are a great way to fast-track your degree, catch up on credits, or lighten your course load during the regular semester.

What are the advantages of Summer Session courses?

Summer courses offer the opportunity to:
• Focus on a challenging subject
• Reduce your fall course load
• Enjoy smaller classes and more one-on-one time with instructors
• Access free tutoring services
• Benefit from in-state tuition rates regardless of residency
• Enjoy shorter sessions

Can I take classes online during the summer?

Yes. Currently enrolled students from any WSU campus can choose from hundreds of online courses offered through WSU Global Campus.

Do Summer Session courses last all summer?

Many Summer Session courses run for 3, 6, 7, or 12 weeks, giving you the flexibility to plan your class schedule around other summer commitments. And as always, Global Campus courses are online and asynchronous, meaning there are no set meeting times, so you can complete classwork at any time of day.

When can I register for Summer Session courses?

Registration dates, how to register, holds, and cancellation policies can be found on the Summer Session Registration website.

What if the course I want isn’t offered on my campus?

Currently enrolled students can take courses from any WSU campus during Summer Session. You can even mix courses from different campuses—for example, one class from Pullman and one from Global Campus—without needing a change-of-campus form.

How do I search for Summer Session courses?

You have two options:

• Browse the Schedule of Classes for quick availability checks.
• Use myWSU to search by session, dates, course number, or designator (ARTS, BSCI, COMM, etc). For more tips, see the How to Register page on the Summer Session website.

How do I register for Global Campus online courses?

Students register for Global Campus courses through myWSU, just like other WSU courses. Be sure to select the correct term, year, and campus (Global).

What does it mean when my schedule says “TBA”?

For Global Campus courses, “TBA” means the course is asynchronous with no set meeting times. If your course is on another campus and no day/time is posted, please contact the instructor or department for clarification.

Can I add or change courses over the phone?

No. All registration changes must be made directly in myWSU. If you need help, email online.registrar@wsu.edu from your WSU email account specifying your name, student ID number, and the course changes you would like to make.

If I drop a course, will it show on my transcript?

• If you drop before the deadline, it will not appear on your transcript. This is sometimes referred to as a “Drop without penalty.”
• If you drop after the deadline, a withdrawal (W) will appear on your transcript. This is known as a “Drop with penalty.”

Drop deadlines vary by session. Visit the Dates and Deadlines page for details.

I’m trying to drop my class, but I get an error that doing so will put me below the minimum enrollment requirement. What should I do?

If there is only one course remaining on your class schedule, myWSU will not allow you to drop it. Instead, you must complete a term withdrawal. Visit the registrar’s Term Withdrawal page to complete this process before the last day of class.

If I cancel my Summer enrollment, will it affect my Fall enrollment?

No. A term withdrawal only applies to the current term, so a summer term withdrawal will not affect your Fall course schedule.

Can I drop or withdraw from courses over the phone?

No. All registration changes must be made directly in myWSU. If you need help, email online.registrar@wsu.edu from your WSU email account specifying your name, student ID number, and the course changes you would like to make.

Will dropping a course impact my financial aid?

Dropping a course can affect your financial aid depending on your situation. A financial aid officer will need to evaluate the impact on your award. Please contact the Student Financial Services office for more information.

How much is Summer Session tuition?

Tuition is based on the number of credits enrolled. Please visit the Summer Session Tuition and Fees page for complete details.

When will tuition be posted to my account?

Tuition usually posts to student accounts in mid-April. Any registration changes after posting will update your balance within 24 hours.

When is my Summer Session tuition payment due?

Tuition is due on the first day of your course. For more details, see the Summer Session Tuition Due Dates and Late Fees page.

Can I set up a tuition payment plan?

No. Payment plans are not available for Summer Session. If you need extra time, note that late fees (typically lower than fall or spring fees) may be applied to your balance.

When are late fees assessed?

Late fees of $33 are charged on three specific dates if your tuition remains unpaid, up to a maximum of $99. (Accounts with a balance under $200 are not charged late fees.)
See the Tuition Due Dates and Late Fees page for details.

Why am I being charged mandatory campus fees?

Mandatory Fees are additional charges beyond tuition, assessed to all students under RCW 28B.15.045. These fees are proposed by students, approved by the Board of Regents, and support various services such as the student recreation center, health services, student union, transit, and technology. Fee amounts vary by campus.

During Summer Session, mandatory fees are based on the campus offering the course—not your home campus (i.e., where you were admitted). Students taking courses from WSU Everett, Tri-Cities, or Vancouver should contact that those campuses to determine if mandatory fees apply. For Pullman and Spokane campuses, check the Summer Session Tuition and Fees page for details. Global Campus does not charge mandatory fees.

Which courses have additional fees?

There are two ways to find out about course fees. Visit schedules.wsu.edu/Fees. Choose the term, year, campus, and academic department, and then click the Report button. You can also check fee details for a specific course in myWSU by viewing the Class Information pop-up under the Enrollment Information tab. Keep in mind that many courses may also require you to purchase books, materials, or subscription services, which will be noted in the course syllabus.

Who do I contact about fees for Study Abroad courses?

Study Abroad (aka Education Abroad) is managed by International Programs, not by WSU Global Campus or Summer Session. For fee questions, visit the Global Learning Program Expenses page or email ip.edabroad@wsu.edu.

Can I get a refund for my Summer Session tuition?

Refunds are available only if you drop your course by the “Drop Without Penalty” deadline. After that, no tuition adjustments are made. (Note: Summer tuition is not pro-rated like in fall or spring.) Check the Summer Session Dates and Deadlines page or your course information in myWSU for details. If you’re taking only one summer course, you must complete a term withdrawal. Financial aid and tuition are adjusted separately. 

Is financial aid available for Summer Session?

Yes. Eligible students can access Pell grants, other federal aid, loans, and work-study during Summer Session. In many cases, students will use the remaining federal financial aid from the academic year that wasn’t used during fall and spring terms. For more details, visit the Student Financial Services webpage for your campus.

• Pullman and Global Campus: Student Financial Services, financialaid@wsu.edu, or 509-335-9711.
• Vancouver: Student Financial Services, van.finaid@wsu.edu, or 360-546-9559.
• Spokane: Student Financial Services, spokane.finaid@wsu.edu, or 509-358-7534.
• Tri-Cities: Student Financial Services, tricities.financialaid@wsu.edu, or 509-372-7000.
• Everett: Student Financial Services, brandon.buckingham@wsu.edu, or 425-405-1606.

When will I be notified about my financial aid award?

Awarding starts in late March or early April. Only students who are enrolled in Summer Session courses are eligible to receive a financial aid award for summer.

When will financial aid post to my account?

Financial aid is typically posted by the day your first course begins. For courses that start in May, it may post up to 10 days earlier. If you add a course after the session starts, allow up to two weeks for updates to post and contact Student Financial Services if there’s no change.

Will dropping a course impact my financial aid?

Dropping a course can affect your financial aid depending on your situation. A financial aid officer will need to evaluate the impact on your award. Please contact the Student Financial Services office for more information.

Can I use my Fall financial aid to pay for Summer tuition?

No. Summer Session financial aid is awarded separately, and only summer aid can be applied to summer tuition.

Who can help me decide if Summer Session is right for me?

If you’re unsure whether Summer Session courses align with your academic goals or need guidance on which classes to take, your academic advisor is your best resource.

Is tutoring available during Summer Session?

Yes. Free tutoring is available online to all WSU students through eTutoring, which allows students to work with tutors synchronously or asynchronously, i.e. answering questions in real-time vs. replying to questions and essay submissions that students have left for review and commentary.

Campus-based resources are available as well:

• All Campuses – eTutoring
• Everett – Student Success
• Pullman – Academic Success and Career Center Tutoring
• Pullman – Math Learning Center
• Pullman – Undergraduate Writing Center
• Spokane – Academic Support and Tutoring
• Tri-Cities – Tutoring Center
• Tri-Cities – Writing Center
• Vancouver – Math and Science Skills Center

Is housing available during Summer Session?

Yes. Many housing options exist for students in Pullman during the summer. Visit the Summer Housing page for more details.