March 9, 2026
The word “summer” probably brings to mind things like sunny days on Lake Michigan, reading in a hammock or walking to your favorite ice cream place for a sweet treat. Summer is also the perfect time to take a class or two at GRCC and get ahead on your degree.
Take Prerequisites and Transfer Credit Back to Your Home Institution
Summer classes are a great option for incoming freshmen who want to get a head start on their college journey and start earning credits at an affordable rate. They’re also ideal for students already enrolled at another college or university who want to stay on track or get ahead in their degree. You can apply to GRCC as a guest student and transfer the credits back to your home institution.
Here’s how it works:
- Fill out the Guest Student Application.
- Check with your home institution’s course equivalency guide to ensure GRCC courses will transfer back.
- Take classes in Grand Rapids, at the Lakeshore Campus or online.
- Transfer credits back to your home institution in the fall.
Registration for the summer semester is open and first session classes begin May 11, 2026.
Attend Classes in Grand Rapids, Holland or Online
GRCC offers classes in multiple locations: at the downtown Grand Rapids campus, at the Holland campus and online. These options enable students to build a schedule that fits around summer activities or work. There’s the flexibility to attend class at the Lakeshore Campus in the morning and head out to Holland State Park in the afternoon. Or work during the day and take an evening class online. No matter what you have planned for the summer, we have options that work around your busy life.
Get Tuition Help With Grand Rapids Promise Zone
If you attended high school in Grand Rapids, you may also be eligible to receive tuition assistance with Grand Rapids Promise Zone. The Promise Zone Scholarship is available for students who live within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. The program covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and required course materials.
The Promise Zone scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine available need-based aid. Once the total need-based aid has been determined, the scholarship covers the remaining costs.
For Promise Zone questions, email at promisezone@grcc.edu or call (616) 234-4321.
Stay On Track With Free Tutoring and Counseling Services
Worried about balancing classes and life this summer? GRCC students have access to free academic tutoring and counseling services, either in-person or online. Whether you need help with a tricky math problem or want to develop strategies to deal with stress, we’re here for you.
- GRCC’s Tutoring and Learning Centers offer personalized assistance in specific subjects including math, language arts, biology, business and social sciences. Tutoring may be drop-in or by appointment, so be sure to check each center’s web page before you go.
- GRCC’s Center for Counseling and Well-Being is staffed by licensed professionals who are committed to improving and advocating for students’ mental health and wellness. You can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. Counselors are also available for brief, urgent walk-in consultations.
Other resources for GRCC students include food assistance, laptop and technology loans, an on-campus health clinic and bus passes for The Rapid.
Start your Guest Student application today and get ahead on your degree!