Taking summer classes can help Cal Poly Pomona students graduate faster, especially if they want to finish before semester conversion in fall 2018. Taking more units will save students more money.

To help students to meet their graduation goals, Cal Poly Pomona has reduced tuition fees for this year's self-supported summer session. The university also intends to expand course offerings and make financial aid grants available to qualified students to further defray costs and make summer attendance even more affordable.

The rates for summer 2016 for undergraduate courses have been reduced from last summer, and the cost is comparable to fall, winter and spring quarters. Classes begin June 20 for the 10-week session and the first five-week session.

For example, a Cal Poly Pomona student taking four 4-unit lecture courses this summer will pay about $2,000 in tuition fees, much less than the $3,840 cost last summer and a little higher than the $1,824 cost during the other quarters.

Students taking two 4-unit lectures will pay about $1,460, compared to $1,920 last summer and $1,824 during fall, winter or spring. Summer session includes additional fees, which are outlined on the website.

Compared to last summer, the largest savings is for those taking 12 units or more.

"We really want to encourage students to take advantage of summer session," says Claudia Pinter-Lucke, associate vice president for academic programs. "It's a great tool to get the classes needed to stay on track to graduation, especially the classes that are in high demand. The lower tuition rates will make it possible for more of our students to take advantage of this opportunity."

Summer classes will be viewable online by March 21. Departments are using data from multiple sources to create a schedule with more of the courses that students need to make progress to degree.

More information about summer session, including schedule, tuition, registration and financial aid, is available on the Summer Session Website. Information for credential, master's and doctoral students will be available on the website soon.