J-Term is a three-week mini-term that occurs during the first three weeks of January. For federal financial aid purposes J-term is considered part of the Spring semester. However, students will be billed for J-term courses in addition to their Spring charges.

If you are expecting a large refund in Spring and it is enough to cover your J-Term charges you do not need to submit a J-Term aid application.

If you do not have sufficient aid to cover your J-Term charges your Spring bill will include J-Term charges (and any applicable late fees).

Students are charged per credit hour for J-Term (in addition to their Spring charges). Unlike the traditional Fall and Spring semesters students attending more than 12 credits during J-Term or Summer will be charged for each additional credit hour above 12 credit hours. To estimate your tuition and fees use the calculator below:

Disclaimer: This calculator is an estimate only and does not provide estimates for housing costs or course-specific fees. Log in to Banner to view your actual bill once it is available.

  1. Complete the J-Term Application (available in November) after you have registered for your J-Term course(s).
  2. Have the FAFSA and TAP applications on file for the current school year.
  3. Students applying for PLUS (Parent PLUS or Grad PLUS) or private loans must complete the appropriate applications.
  • Please allow at least one week for your J-Term aid application to be processed.
  • Students must accept any federal loans in Banner.
  • Notify the office at finaid@buffalostate.edu of any changes to your J-Term enrollment.
Federal Pell Grant
  • A student's J-Term credit hours will be added to their Spring semester credit hours to determine their Pell Grant eligibility. Students who are already enrolled full-time in Spring will not be eligible for an additional Pell Grant for J-Term.
  • Students scheduled to graduate in January may receive a Pell Grant for the J-Term, even with no Spring registration.
Federal TEACH Grant
  • Must meet the eligibility requirements (e.g. 3.25 cumulative GPA and in an eligible major) for the TEACH Grant.
  • Must have completed the current year Agreement to Serve and Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.
  • Must not have received $4,000 in TEACH Grant funds between the previous Fall and upcoming Spring semesters (before the sequestration reduction).
  • Must be below the TEACH Lifetime Limits: $16,000 as an undergraduate and $8,000 as a graduate student.
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
  • Direct  Loans are available to students who have not already borrowed their full annual loan eligibility during the previous Fall and upcoming Spring semesters. A student's class level is based on the number of earned credits on their academic transcript after Fall grades are posted.
  • Student's total Direct Loan debt must also be within the federal aggregate/lifetime limits.
  • Students must be enrolled in at least 6 degree-required credit hours to be eligible (the 6 credits can be across J-Term and the Spring semesters).
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
  • Available to parents of dependent students. Parents must apply at studentaid.gov.
  • View additional information about the Parent PLUS Loan.
  • Students must be enrolled in at least 6 degree-required credit hours to be eligible (the 6 credits can be across J-Term and the Spring semesters).
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Available to graduate students. Students must apply at studentaid.gov.
  • More information about Graduate PLUS loans
  • Students must be enrolled in at least 6 degree-required credit hours to be eligible (the 6 credits can be across J-Term and the Spring semesters).
New York State TAP Grant
  • Students are not eligible for TAP during J-Term.
  • J-Term credit hours are not added to Spring to determine full-time status and TAP eligibility for Spring.
Private Student Loans

The following dates are estimated. Students must complete all of their J-Term aid-related tasks in a timely fashion for aid to disburse on schedule.

Type of Aid Estimated Disbursement Dates
Federal Pell Grant Tentatively: Beginning week of March 2, 2026
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans

All Direct Loans must be accepted in Banner and the MPN and Entrance Counseling must be on file with the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits in J-Term - starting January 13, 2026
  • Enrolled Less Than Half Time in J-Term & enrolled in Spring - starting February 12, 2026
Direct Parent PLUS Loans

Must be accepted in Banner and parent must have completed Parent PLUS MPN

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits in J-Term - starting January 13, 2026
  • Enrolled Less Than Half Time in J-Term & enrolled in Spring - starting February 10, 2026
Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Must be accepted in Banner and student must have completed Graduate PLUS MON and Graduate Entrance Counseling if this is their first Graduate PLUS Loan.

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits in J-Term - starting January 13, 2026
  • Enrolled Less Than Half Time in J-Term & enrolled in Spring - starting February 10, 2026
Federal TEACH Grant End of February
New York State TAP Grant Not applicable for J-Term
Private Loans The disbursement date will vary by lender and depending on when the student applied. Students should not expect their private loan to disburse until at least 3 weeks after they began the process.

J-Term is considered part of the Spring semester for financial aid purposes. If students take J-term coursework to improve their GPA or pace rate, their SAP status will be reviewed at the end of the Spring semester.

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