Enrollment and Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
Your enrollment hours can effect how much federal financial aid you receive and which types of aid you are eligible to receive. Requirements vary by aid program and student level. Review the information below to understand how your credit hours effect federal grants and loans.
Undergraduate Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
Your enrollment hours affects which types of financial aid you can receive and, in some cases, how much aid you can receive. Undergraduate enrollment levels are based on the number of credit hours you take each semester:
- 12 or more credit hours: Full-time enrollment.
- 6–11 credit hours: Less than full-time.
- 1–5 credit hours: Less than half-time.
Pell Grant Eligibility
Your Pell Grant amount is based on your enrollment level. Full-time undergraduate enrollment (12 or more credit hours) qualifies for 100% of your Pell Grant amount. Students enrolled less than full-time may receive a reduced percentage based on their enrollment.
Federal Student Loan Eligibility
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to receive federal student loans. Students taking fewer than 6 hours are not eligible for federal student loans. Your enrollment level also affects the amount you can receive. Students enrolled full-time may be eligible for their full applicable federal student loan amount. Students enrolled less than full-time may have their loan amount reduced based on their enrollment level.
Undergraduate Federal Financial Aid Eligibility at a Glance
| Enrollment | Enrollment Level | Pell Grant | Federal Student Loan Eligibility |
| 12+ hours | Full-time | 100% | Eligible for full applicable amount |
| 11 hours | 3/4-time | 92% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 10 hours | 3/4-time | 83% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 9 hours | 3/4-time | 75% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 8 hours | 2/3-time | 67% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 7 hours | 1/2-time | 58% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 6 hours | 1/2-time | 50% | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 5 hours | Less than 1/2-time | 42% | Not eligible |
| 4 hours | Less than 1/2-time | 33% | Not eligible |
| 3 hours | Less than 1/2-time | 25% | Not eligible |
| 2 hours | Less than 1/2-time | 17% | Not eligible |
| 1 hour | Less than 1/2-time | 8% | Not eligible |
Graduate Student Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
Your enrollment level affects your eligibility for federal student loans and, in some cases, the amount you can receive. Graduate enrollment levels are based on the number of credit hours you take each semester:
- 9+ credit hours: Full-time enrollment
- 5–8 credit hours: Less than full-time but at least half-time
- 1–4 credit hours: Less than half-time
Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours to receive federal student loans. Graduate students taking fewer than 5 hours are not eligible for federal student loans. Your enrollment level also affects the amount you can receive. Students enrolled full-time may be eligible for their full applicable federal student loan amount. Students enrolled less than full-time may have their loan amount reduced based on their enrollment level.
Graduate Student Federal Financial Aid Eligibility at a Glance
| Enrollment | Enrollment Level | Federal Student Loan Eligibility |
| 9+ hours | Full-time | Eligible for full applicable amount |
| 5-8 hours | Less than full-time, but at least half time | Eligible; loan amount reduced |
| 1-4 hours | Less than half-time | Not eligible |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many credit hours do I need to receive federal student loans?
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours.
Can I receive federal student loans if I am enrolled less than full-time?
Yes. Students who meet the minimum enrollment requirement may be eligible for federal student loans even if they are enrolled less than full-time. However, your enrollment level may affect the amount of your loan.
Will taking fewer credit hours reduce my federal student loan amount?
Yes. Students enrolled less than full-time may receive a reduced federal student loan amount based on their enrollment level.
How does enrollment effect my Pell Grant?
Eligible undergraduate students may receive a reduced Pell Grant amount when enrolled less than full-time. Your Pell Grant percentage is based on your enrollment level.
What is considered full-time enrollment?
For undergraduate students, 12 or more credit hours is considered full-time enrollment. For graduate students, 9 or more credit hours is considered full-time enrollment.