Math Momentum
Start Strong at Purdue This Summer
As a student participating in Math Momentum, you earn credit hours toward your degree, take classes in a supportive environment and participate in programs that help you transition smoothly into the fall. You also receive a Math Momentum scholarship that fully covers your summer tuition, fees, housing, books and program materials, ensuring you can focus on learning and settling into campus life.
Math Momentum is designed to help you jump-start your Purdue experience on campus this summer. You complete math coursework that prepares you for success in your required Purdue math sequence. Through a five-week, on-campus experience, you enhance your math skills, build confidence and get a head start on college life.
Program Details
Program dates: July 13 – Aug. 14, 2026
Move-in: July 11, 2026
Format: In-person
At the end of the summer session, you move directly into the fall term as a full-time Purdue student.
Why Math Momentum?
Get the preparation you need to succeed.
Build math readiness before starting the courses required for your degree. Math Momentum helps you strengthen essential skills through focused coursework and personalized support.
Start your Purdue experience early.
You live and learn on campus this summer, meet other new Boilermakers and build strong connections before most students arrive in August.
Take advantage of a fully-funded summer.
The Math Momentum Scholarship covers:
- Summer term tuition and fees
- Housing and meals
- Books and program materials
Earn credit toward your degree.
Complete 7 credit hours in just five weeks, helping you stay on track for on-time graduation.
What You’ll Do
- Take Purdue’s Foundations of College Math course designed to prepare you for your required Purdue math sequence.
- Learn in small classes with dedicated instructors and study table support.
- Participate in mentoring, academic support and community-building events.
- Build relationships with peers, advisors and campus partners who support your transition into the fall.
Join us for a Math Momentum Information Webinar to learn what to expect, why the program matters and how it supports your transition to Purdue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Math Momentum?
Math Momentum is a required, five-week summer session for select incoming Purdue students. It strengthens your math foundation and helps you begin your college experience with confidence.
How was I selected?
Your admission to Purdue reflects your readiness for this next step. Math Momentum is an added investment in your success. It ensures you have the preparation needed for your required math sequence in the fall and sets you up for future coursework requiring higher-level math.
Is the program mandatory?
Yes. Participation in Math Momentum is required for you to enroll at Purdue in the fall.
When does the program start?
Move-in is July 11, 2026. Classes begin July 13 and conclude Aug. 14.
What courses will I take?
You enroll in a foundations of college math course and a general studies course focused on campus resources, academic skills and strategies for a strong start at Purdue. You then work with your academic advisor to choose one additional course for a total of 7 credits.
Will I need to take a math placement exam?
No. A math placement test is not required.
What if my ALEKS math placement score indicates I could take a higher-level math course? Does that exempt me from Math Momentum?
All students admitted through Math Momentum participate in the experience, regardless of your math placement level. Math Momentum is designed to give students time to prepare, build confidence and adjust to Purdue’s academic expectations before the fall semester begins.
Completing Purdue’s Foundations of College Math course over the summer supports your readiness for the math courses required for your degree after Math Momentum. Your advisor and the program team will help you enroll in the course that best fits your preparation and academic goals.
How will this affect my fall schedule?
Completing Math Momentum prepares you for the appropriate major-required math course in the fall. Your advisor helps you build your fall schedule based on your summer performance.
What else happens during the program?
You participate in academic support, mentoring sessions and social events that help you build connections and settle into campus life.
What support is available?
You have access to study tables and small class sizes. You may also connect with supportive programs such as Purdue Promise or Horizons, where applicable.
What if I struggle in the program?
We’re here to help. Your instructors and advisors work closely with you to address challenges and prepare you for a smooth transition into the fall.
Can I work a job during Math Momentum?
We strongly discourage working. Courses are accelerated and require significant time and focus. If you must work, it cannot conflict with any program activities.
What does the program cost?
There is no cost to you. The Math Momentum Scholarship fully covers your tuition, fees, housing, meals, textbooks and materials.
Will this affect my fall financial aid?
No. Your fall financial aid package is not reduced or impacted by participating.
Where will I live during the summer?
West Lafayette students live in one of the following halls: Earhart, Harrison, Meredith South, Winifred Parker, Honors and Hillenbrand.
Indianapolis students will live in North Hall.
How does summer/fall housing work?
Math Momentum participants must submit:
- Summer 2026 Housing Application – no later than June 1 (for the Math Momentum / Early Start summer term)
- 2026-27 Academic Year Housing Application – no later than May 5 (for the academic year if you plan to live on campus during the academic year)
Note: Living on campus after the summer is optional. Some students may choose to commute during the academic year, especially if housing is not covered by a scholarship.
Important dates and deadlines
- April 15: Priority deadline to select a roommate
- To ensure access to the housing application by April 15, accept your offer of admission by April 11.
- May 5: Deadline to submit the academic year (fall/spring) housing application.
- Applications submitted by this date are guaranteed housing for new students.
- May 22: Students eligible to participate in the room selection process will begin matching with roommates.
- May 29: Deadline for students participating in Math Momentum to select a roommate for summer.
- June 1: Final deadline to submit the summer housing application to participate in Math Momentum.
- June 10: Housing assignments released
Roommate preferences
- When applying for summer housing, students may select a roommate who is participating in Math Momentum or Early Start, an optional summer program distinct from Math Momentum. Every effort will be made to ensure that you remain in the same room with the same roommate for the academic year. Because you are starting in the summer, you will not be asked to select a roommate when you complete the housing application for the academic year.
Summer-to-fall room assignments
- All efforts are made to assign students in the summer to their fall assignment.
- Housing assignments are based on availability.
Will I live in the same hall during the fall?
In most cases, you remain in your fall-assigned room.
Will other students be on campus?
Yes. You’ll be on campus alongside Early Start students and other Purdue students participating in summer programs and activities. Early Start is one of Purdue’s summer experiences that brings incoming students to campus before the fall semester to take classes, become familiar with campus, and begin building community.
Throughout the summer, you’ll also have opportunities to connect with Early Start students at free social events sponsored by the Office of Summer and Winter Sessions.
Do I need to register for Purdue 101 and/or BGR?
Purdue 101 begins in May, and you’re automatically enrolled once you accept your offer of admission. After completing Purdue 101, you work with an academic advisor to plan your summer and fall courses.
You are expected to register for Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) — Purdue’s orientation week held between the end of summer and the start of fall classes. Room and board for the four days between housing contracts are included in the BGR fee.
How does orientation work?
All incoming students complete Purdue’s four-step All Aboard Purdue orientation experience.
Purdue 101 (Step 1) begins in May. Students are automatically enrolled after accepting their offer of admission.
After completing Purdue 101, students schedule Purdue Advising (Step 2), an appointment with an academic advisor to plan summer and fall coursework.
As a Math Momentum student, you are automatically enrolled in Purdue 102 (Step 3), which begins in June.
Students are expected to participate in a Purdue Welcome (Step 4) program. Most students attend Boiler Gold Rush (BGR), while others participate in programs such as the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band camp or Purdue Musical Organizations activities. BGR requires an additional registration fee; a limited number of need-based waivers are available to cover part or all of the cost.
Do summer credits count toward graduation?
Your 7-credit summer coursework is designed to support a strong start at Purdue and help you begin developing a college mindset before the fall semester. Purdue’s Foundations of College Math course and Summer Seminar for Beginners I are part of your academic on-ramp. While these courses do not fulfill major-level requirements, the Foundations of College Math course does count as elective credit and is designed to strengthen your math foundation and prepare you for your required college-level math course in the fall.
You will also enroll in one 3-credit, five-week course during the summer. This course may count toward University Core Curriculum or major-level requirements, depending on your selected course and academic program. Your academic advisor can help confirm how this course applies to your specific degree plan. Together, these courses are intended to support both preparation and academic progress as you begin your Purdue journey.
What is the workload like?
Summer courses move quickly because they cover a full semester of content in five weeks. The pace is intensive, but you have strong support from faculty, academic support during study tables and staff.
What if my math skills improve before summer begins?
That’s a good thing, and we encourage it. Any additional progress you make before summer can help you feel more confident and comfortable going into Math Momentum.
Math Momentum is not about reassessing where you place. It’s about helping you build momentum as you transition into college-level math at Purdue. Participating in Math Momentum gives you time to get familiar with how math courses work at Purdue and prepares you for the math courses required for your degree after the summer experience.
Math Momentum helps you carry that progress forward so you’re ready for the pace, expectations, and math courses that come next at Purdue.
What is the difference between ‘major-level’ and ‘elective’ courses as it relates to my degree progression?
Major-Level credits are courses that count directly toward the required classes for your specific major.
Elective credits count toward the total number of credits needed to graduate but do not always apply directly to your major requirements.
Both types of credit are important for making progress toward your degree, and an academic advisor can help you understand how your credits apply to your individual plan.
