The campus is adding an extra $1.9 million to make available a record $10.5 million in financial aid grants, and guaranteeing almost 300 courses against cancellation to help students take advantage of summer study to reduce their time to degree and overall cost of education.

The increased support for Summer Sessions is expected to make these funds — which students don’t have to repay — available to nearly 6,500 students, up from the 4,375 who received grants last year.

The campus is also guaranteeing 300 courses against cancellation. Students can be sure these “Guaranteed-to-Go” courses will be offered, and departments won’t have to risk losing money if enrollment is low.

For the first time, the Graduate School of Management will offer the complete menu of courses for its undergraduate technology management minor so the five required courses can be completed in just one summer. Additionally, the popular minor is now open to students from all majors and the courses are open to all students outside the minor.

As of today (March 1), students can view online most of the Sumer Sessions courses.

Campus leadership sees the changes as adding even more benefits to summer study: allowing easier access to high-demand courses, enabling students to concentrate on more challenging courses, accelerating progress toward a degree, and providing more access to smaller classes and more interaction with instructors.

Fees and financial aid

Matt Traxler, associate vice provost for Undergraduate Education, said the additional grants should help more students take advantage of the value of summer credit hours. It is no more expensive to take a unit in summer than it is in the regular academic year. So if students can take courses in summer and trim the number of regular quarters that they must attend, they may find summer to be a financial advantage.

For UC Davis students, course fees are $272 per unit, and there is a campus fee of $300 per session. More detailed information about fees — including varying fees for graduate students, non-UC Davis students and UC Davis career staff — is available online.

In the past, grant funds have run out as early as two days after summer registration opened in April.

“It will be different this year,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph Hexter, who approved the record investment in financial aid and course guarantees. “UC Davis is making a commitment to our students that the aid will be there for those who qualify,” he said.

To qualify for the university grants, UC Davis students must have financial need, take at least six units over the summer and meet other eligibility requirements.

Continuing students who already have a 2015-16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application on file and meet eligibility requirements will automatically be provided with a summer financial aid package after they register for courses.

Students can also use any of their other remaining financial aid for summer study, and certain types of loans are available regardless of need.

New students admitted with freshmen or transfer status for fall 2016 may also apply for financial aid to get a head start with summer study. They must complete a paper summer financial aid application and have filed a FAFSA or Dream Act application by June 30.

Wide variety of course offerings

Summer study offers a wide variety of courses. Students can complete core courses, explore new interests and even venture beyond campus with field courses — such as at the Bodega Marine Lab and the UC Center in Sacramento — as well as summer study abroad.

Traxler said summer offerings include many upper division courses to help students meet their major or general education requirements.