Students taking summer courses can enjoy a quieter campus and plenty of parking while they work toward their degree or general education.

The weather is warming up and thoughts are turning toward the summer. Students have the opportunity to register for summer courses next week, with individual dates and times posted on Titan Online. Here are 10 things you should know about taking summer courses.

Hundreds of general education and major-specific courses are open to Cal State Fullerton undergraduate and graduate students during the summer session, which runs from May 30 to Aug. 4.

As a CSUF student, your registration date has now been assigned and is accessible on Titan Online, with priority given to those completing their degrees in August.

Think a summer course might be for you? Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Many essential business courses are offered in the summer.

Courses that are often crowded during the semesters, such as ACCT 201A and B financial and managerial accounting, financial management, macroeconomics, microeconomics, ISDS 351 – Principles of Information Systems and Principles of Marketing are offered during the summer. Taking a course in summer can be a good way to improve your focus on the material and be a part of a class with less students.

2. Summer is a great time to take a G.E. course.

From biology to political science, you can satisfy almost any general education requirement during the summer. If you’re not good at a subject (or aren’t that interested), the fast pace of the summer session can make the course fly by quicker and free you up to concentrate on your major courses come fall.

3. Many of the courses are available online.

Take an online or hybrid course so you can study while you’re at the beach, on a lunch break at your internship, or at home.

4. Count your internship as a course.

Students taking internships during the summer can get academic credit in many cases, as long as the internship is related to your field of study. Check with your concentration department to find out more.

5. Choose between several course schedules.

There are five separate summer sessions, ranging from the 10-week Session E that runs through the entire summer term to the five-week sessions A and B, in which courses run through the months of June or July, respectively. Taking courses during the shorter sessions enables you to get a requirement out of the way while still having plenty of time to enjoy your summer. Be sure to check the dates of the courses you register for to ensure they are in the session you desire.

The Cal State Fullerton Summer Session website provides everything students need to know about taking courses this summer.

6. Financial aid is available.

All continuing students may apply for loans to pay for summer school. Those with an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0, including many graduate students, may receive a summer grant, which covers the majority of the cost of six units of summer courses. However, funding is limited and not all qualifying students will receive the grants, which are announced by email. Loan applications must be made by April 14. Grants are based on the FAFSA application that students have already completed.

7. Stay on campus through the summer.

You have the ability to live on campus for as much or as little of the summer as you’d like by filling out a Summer Housing Interest Form, in which you can specify the dates you desire to stay on campus. Single-occupancy apartments will tentatively be available at a rate of $35 per night.

8. You still need a student parking permit.

Unless you are planning to park in the neighborhoods and walk to campus or take public transportation, you will need to have a parking permit during the summer. These permits are discounted from the semester rate of $236 and are valid from the end of the spring to the beginning of the fall semesters.

9. You can also take courses at CSUF’s Irvine campus.

Of the 19 summer courses that will be taught at the Irvine campus, 17 are business courses, including ACCT 301A and B – Intermediate Accounting, BUAD 301 – Advanced Business Communications, FIN 320 – Financial Management I, and ISDS 351 – Principles of Information Systems. Check the course schedule on Titan Online for more.

10. You still get Memorial Day and Independence Day off.

Campus is closed for both holidays, so you’ll still be able to enjoy your three-day weekends with family and friends.

For more information, visit the Cal State Fullerton Summer Session homepage.