Summer Activities

Duke offers the opportunity for you to receive institutional financial aid for up to two summer terms (summer terms run 6-8 weeks and are the equivalent of half of one semester).

Students who qualify for institutional financial aid and who attend summer school will have their full, demonstrated need met for up to two Duke main campus or Marine Lab summer terms or Duke-sponsored Summer Global Education programs. These two terms need not be consecutive.  Just like academic year financial aid awarding, full demonstrated need for these terms is met through a combination of work study, loans, and grant funds.

The cost of attendance for summer sessions is based on the number and type of classes you take, all required fees, and average estimated costs for meals, housing, books, and personal expenses.  If you're studying abroad, then airfare, visa, and vaccination expenses are also considered in the cost of attendance.

The expected family contribution for each summer term is determined by taking 25% the academic year's parent portion of the expected family contribution  For example, if the parent contribution for the academic year is $10,000, then the summer expected family contribution would be $2,500.   

The difference between your cost of attendance and your expected family contribution is your demonstrated need.  As mentioned above, Duke provides funding to meet 100% of your demonstrated need.

Additionally, some students may be eligible to have the summer earnings portion of their expected family contribution for the academic year replaced with grant funds, depending on their summer activities. Such activities include attendance in summer school or summer study abroad, participation in a summer DukeEngage program, or unpaid internships required for a student’s course of study.  This is only available to current Duke students; incoming freshmen cannot be considered for this additional funding.