Part-time Enrollment and Financial Aid

Are you considering taking fewer than 12 credit hours in a semester as an undergraduate or fewer than 8 credit hours in a semester as a graduate student? It’s important to understand how part-time status affects your financial aid.

Impact of part-time status on financial aid

  • Grants and scholarships
    • Most grants (like Pell) and some scholarships are prorated based on enrollment. 
    • Institutional scholarships often require full-time enrollment. Check your award terms.
  • Loans
    • Federal direct loans require at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours for undergraduates, 4 for graduate students).
    • Effective July 1, 2026, federal direct subsidized, unsubsidized and graduate PLUS loans must be prorated based on enrollment.
    • Dropping below half-time may trigger loan repayment.
  • Work-study
    • You must maintain at least half-time enrollment to participate in federal work-study. 
  • Cost of attendance
    • Your cost of attendance will be adjusted for part-time enrollment. This can reduce the amount of aid you’re eligible to receive.
  • Satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
    • SAP standards still apply, even if you’re part-time:
      • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
      • Complete at least 67% of attempted credits.
      • Stay within the maximum time frame for your degree.

Tips for part-time students

  • Consult the Financial Aid Office before changing your schedule.
  • Submit the term enrollment reporting form to notify the Financial Aid Office of your plans to attend part-time.
  • Review your aid package. Initial award offers are based on full-time enrollment. Some awards may be reduced or canceled if you reduce your hours.
  • Plan ahead for billing. Payment plans are available.
  • Explore scholarships. Some outside scholarships allow part-time enrollment.
  • Consider summer courses to stay on track for graduation.

Updated: 08/27/2026 10:10PM