Initial financial aid offers are estimated based on anticipated enrollment (assumed to be full-time for all students). Final award amounts will be determined based on a student’s enrollment status as of the fixed enrollment date (the tenth day of classes) each semester.
Disbursement of Funds
A student’s financial aid will not disburse until their actual enrollment is the same as the enrollment on which their financial aid is based. Financial aid funds are directly applied to tuition, fees, and residence hall charges appearing on a student’s account.
Enrollment Status
Enrollment status is based on the following credit requirements:
| Status | Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 12 or more Credits | • 9 or more credits • 6 or more credits and Graduate Assistantship • 3 credit Course 5960, 6960, 5930, or 6930 |
| 3/4 Time | 9-11 credits | 6.75-8.75 credits |
| Half-Time | 6-8 credits | 4.5-6.5 credits |
| Less Than Half-Time | Fewer than 6 credits | Fewer than 4.5 credits |
Reminder: To be considered for most forms of aid, students must be enrolled full-time.
Enrollment Status and Aid Impact
University policy requires that financial aid and scholarships are based on a fixed enrollment date (the tenth day of classes) each semester. The tenth day of classes is the last day on which a student is able to add/drop via the Student Administration System. The amount of a student’s financial aid awards and/or University scholarship for the semester will be based on the number of credits they are enrolled in on that date.
| Enrollment | Pell Grants | All Other Grants | Federal Direct Loans | Work-Study | University Merit Scholarships | University Departmental Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Enrollment | Full Award | Full Award | Full Award | Full Award | Full Award | Full Award |
| 3/4 Time Enrollment | Prorated Award | No Award | Up to full award depending on budget | No Award | No Award | Varies based on scholarship criteria |
| Half-Time Enrollment | Prorated Award | No Award | Up to full award depending on budget | No Award | No Award | Varies based on scholarship criteria |
| Less Than Half-time Enrollment | Prorated Award | No Award | No Award | No Award | No Award | Varies based on scholarship criteria |
Requesting Review of Eligibility
If your semester registration was finalized AFTER the tenth day of classes, and you wish to request a review of your file, please navigate to the Form Portal and complete the Financial Aid Fixed Enrollment (Day 10) Appeal Form prior to the deadline (two weeks after the close of the add/drop period). The appeal form will only be available on our website during these two weeks. Please note, appeals received after the published deadline will not be considered.
Students with Disabilities
Students who have had their less than full time enrollment certified by the Center for Students with Disabilities will be offered eligible aid based on federal regulations. Students should be aware of the following regulations:
- Federal Pell Grant funds will be prorated based on the number of credits taken
- Financial aid cost of attendance budget must be adjusted based on actual enrollment
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan Program
- University policy stipulates that students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid (federal and institutional) with the exception of the Federal Pell Grant by the required deadline