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Enrollment Status Requirements and Academic Year

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A student's enrollment status (the number of credits registered for in a semester) will influence the amount of Federal Student Aid (FSA) a student will receive. To be eligible for FSA, you must enroll in consecutive Academic Semesters with an enrollment status of at least half-time. Undergraduate students need a minimum of 6 credits per semester and graduate students at least 3 credit hours in order to be eligible for Federal Student Aid. Students must maintain at least half-time status so that it does not affect their Federal Stafford Loan eligibility. Enrollment status is the same if you are in a certificate or degree program.

Within the weeks of the academic year, a full-time undergraduate student must be expected to complete at least 24 semester hours (12 hours each semester) and a graduate student must complete 18 semester hours (9 hours each semester).

For detailed information on undergraduate grade level determination (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior), please visit the Glossary of Terms.

Prior to registering for courses, students pursuing FSA will complete a Federal Student Aid Intent Form where they will select their Academic Start Date (refer to Completing the FSA Intent Form for more information). Once the start date is selected, students must take courses that fall within their ‘Academic Semester’. The table below lists ‘Start dates’ and their corresponding Academic Semesters and the Academic Year attached to the start date.