Angelo State University to Offer Free Dorm Housing for Summer Semesters

SAN ANGELO, TX — Angelo State University is launching several new initiatives for the upcoming summer 2018 semesters, as well as continuing its popular Free Summer Housing program, to give more current students and incoming freshmen the opportunity to accelerate on the road toward graduation.

The Free Summer Housing program allows students enrolled in at least two courses (six credit hours) or a four-credit science lab course during each of the two summer terms to live in ASU campus housing for free, as long as they maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. In addition to saving students the cost of housing, the program also has positive implications for students receiving financial aid.

“We find that if students are not taking 15 credit hours each long semester and doing really well, they need to take summer courses to maintain satisfactory academic progress for their financial aid eligibility,” said Tracy Baker, director of housing and residential programs. “The Free Summer Housing program really helps them financially, to be able to afford to take those summer courses. They can use their money for tuition instead of housing.”

Since the program was introduced in 2013, the number of students living in the residence halls during the summer has steadily increased from 267 the prior year to 709 in 2017. Overall summer enrollment has also increased from 2,551 in 2013 to 3,217 last year.

Though initially aimed primarily at first- and second-year students, the Free Summer Housing program can also be beneficial to incoming freshmen who want to get a head-start on their college education. This year, summer housing will be in the Centennial Village residence hall and will feature the same social and educational programs available during the fall and spring semesters. Applications for summer campus housing open on April 1.

Meanwhile, a new summer initiative aimed at those same student groups features a significant increase in the number of core courses being made available during each summer term.

“Taking courses in the core curriculum during the summer can help new and first-year students stay on track to graduate in four years or less,” said Dr. Javier Flores, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “Students graduating in three years can save over $7,400 in tuition and fees, thus reducing their amount of potential debt.”

“Free summer housing certainly helps in that regard,” said Dr. Don Topliff, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “But if the courses students need are not offered, we are treading water. We are working hard to get more students graduated on time with less debt.”

Another new initiative could also help students save on tuition and avoid potential student-loan debt. ASU is now offering summer financial aid for Pell Grant-eligible students, as well as Summer Carr Scholarships.

Students eligible for a Pell Grant who attend full time for the fall and spring semesters will also be eligible for summer Pell Grants, as long as they enroll at least half-time (six total credit hours) during the summer.

Also, students who have earned a Carr Scholarship will be eligible for a Summer Carr Scholarship if they enroll in at least six credit hours during each summer term.

“With free summer housing,” Flores said, “plus Summer Carr Scholarships and the implementation of year-round financial aid, ASU students can earn in excess of 12 credit hours during summer for free or at a very low cost. These initiatives are more ways for ASU to show our commitment to ensuring students have the opportunity to earn credit hours toward their degree without incurring additional debt.”

Current ASU students can begin pre-registering for 2018 summer courses on the following dates:

• Seniors – April 4
• Juniors – April 6
• Sophomores – April 9
• Freshmen – April 11

New incoming students, as well as returning and transfer students who were not enrolled during the spring 2018 semester, can begin pre-registering for summer courses on April 13.

For more information on registering for summer courses, contact the ASU Registrar’s Office at 325-942-2043 or [email protected]. 

For more information on Summer Carr Scholarships and financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office at 325-942-2246 or [email protected]. 

For more information on the Free Summer Housing program, contact Housing and Residential Programs at 325-942-2035 or [email protected].