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Full-Time and Half-Time Requirements

• Full‑time enrollment for most graduate students is 9 or more credit hours per semester.
• Some programs may require more than the standard 18 credits per academic year.
• Graduate degree‑seeking students are eligible for federal aid—and may maintain deferment of existing federal loans—when enrolled half time
  • 4.5+ credit hours
  • 6+ credit hours if a law student--(half time)

JD Program Enrollment (Chicago‑Kent College of Law)

Full-time enrollment is 12+ credit hours a semester. 

Part-time enrollment is between 6-11 credit hours per semester.

JD students must be enrolled at least half‑time in order to be eligible for federal student loans:

• Fall/Spring: 6 credit hours
• Summer: 3 credit hours

Special Full‑Time (“Forced to Full‑Time”) Status

Students approved for special full‑time status will have their COA adjusted to reflect actual tuition and fee charges, which may reduce federal student loan eligibility. Adjustments occur after the add/drop deadline.

Process Overview

1. Academic departments identify students requiring special full‑time status.
2. Departments report those students to the Office of the Registrar.
3. The Office of Financial Aid updates financial aid records accordingly.
4. Status adjustments are processed after add/drop each semester.

International Students (Graduate)

International students enrolled in fewer than 9 credit hours must apply for full‑time equivalency with the Office of Global Services (OGS) to remain compliant with SEVIS requirements.

• OGS determines eligibility for full‑time equivalency.
• Approved students are reported as full‑time for SEVIS purposes.
• Academic records will continue to display actual registered credits.

Enrollment Below Half-Time

Graduate students registered for:

• Fewer than 4.5 credit hours, or
• Fewer than 6 credit hours for law students,

are subject to the following:

• Eligible for private educational loans up to tuition, fees, and approved living expenses.
• May enter loan repayment shortly after the semester begins if any portion of their federal loan grace period has been used.

Additional Financial Aid Considerations

• Co‑op courses do not count toward enrollment levels for financial aid.
• Graduate students enrolled below half‑time may request forbearance from their loan servicer to extend deferment.
• Loan servicer details are available on the Federal Student Aid website.