Student Guide

Summer Session

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The Summer Session offers Colorado College students an opportunity to make progress toward their degrees, take courses not offered during the spring or fall, or engage in intercultural study programs offered only through the Summer Session.

Summer Session courses are generally offered during three three-week blocks during the summer months of June, July, and the first part of August (Blocks A, B, and C) but some courses have special schedules (especially off-campus courses) that do not fit the regular block schedule. Students should find the 2009 Summer Session block schedule on the main college calendar. The special schedules for other courses are indicated in the summer course brochure and on the Summer Session Web site.

The Summer Session is the one time of the year when Colorado College students will find that courses may include students from other undergraduate institutions, high school students, teachers, and other community members.

Summer Course Schedule

The Summer Session course schedule is available the third week of Block 3. Students receive a course schedule in their Worner boxes. All course descriptions are available online. Students can begin to preregister for summer courses starting in Block 4. Unlike the preregistration for the fall and spring terms, students can preregister for summer courses without bidding points; it is a first-come, first-served system. To add and drop summer courses, students need to fill out a separate yellow Summer Session add/drop course slip (available in the office of the registrar or in summer programs). To add a course more than one week in advance, students must pay a course deposit with student accounts. (either in person or online through students accounts) and process the final add slip with the office of the registrar. NOTE: the students accounts office does not take credit cards. To pay the deposit with a credit card, it must be done online.

Tuition

A special tuition rate for the Summer Session (about half the regular-year tuition rate) makes summer study especially attractive. Please check the Summer Session Web site for the 2010 summer tuition. In the summer, tuition charges are based on enrolled units. In addition, there are different tuition charge policies for dropping courses after certain dates. It is best to be sure to carefully read all tuition policies on the summer ADD/DROP slip carefully. Summer Session tuition policies for course changes are also on the Summer Session Web site.

Wildcard

Every Colorado College undergraduate is eligible for one Wild Card. The Wild Card is equal to one unit of Summer Session tuition and is automatically applied to your student account when you register for your first summer course. The Wild Card is available if the student has met the following requirements:

  • Available upon completion of one semester at CC.
  • Must be pre-registered for the following year at CC.
    • Students expecting to graduate in May or August are not eligible to use their Wild Card
  • Must be used before all requirements for graduation have been met.
  • Automatically applied to first Summer Session course, and is non-transferable
  • All course drop penalties apply when using the Wild Card.
  • Does not apply to program fees.
  • May not be used for independent study courses.
  • May not be used for audited courses

Financial Aid and Intercultural Funds

Limited Summer Session financial aid is available to Colorado College students who receive aid during the spring or fall. To apply for summer financial aid to cover summer tuition costs, students should fill out a Summer Session financial aid form, available at the summer programs office, or online on the Summer Session Web site. Students who are taking courses that have program fees can also apply for intercultural funds, which can help to cover the costs of program fees (see more about why we have program fees below). The deadline for the first round of awards for both financial aid and intercultural funds is listed on the applications and is usually the first Friday of Block 5. The majority of the funds are distributed in the first round, so it is important to plan ahead and apply in the first round. Any aid awarded after the first round is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course Deposits

In order to pre-register and hold a place in a Summer Session course, a non-refundable tuition course deposit must be paid through student accounts. Course deposits apply to the tuition cost of the particular course for which it was made. A course deposit is also required for courses where the Wild Card is used, but students are credited the deposit amount upon completion of the course. If there are additional program fee costs for a course where a Wild Card is used, the deposit is credited to that fee. Course deposits are non-transferable, except in the case of a course cancellation. If you decide to drop the class after paying your deposit, your deposit will be forfeited. Students who have medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances for dropping any summer course can petition the dean or assistant dean of the summer session, in writing, for a deposit credit.

Program Fees

In addition to tuition, some courses require supplementary fees called "program fees," which cover additional costs such as travel, food, lodging, and other expenses. These extra program costs are listed with the course description. Students who enroll in a course with a program fee will be charged this fee at the same time tuition is charged. If students drop a course with a program fee, they are responsible for non-recoverable portions of this fee.

Students can always find updated information about Summer Session at www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/summersession/.

Report an issue - Last updated: 09/28/2026