Full-time and part-time status is defined differently for different purposes.
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For financial aid purposes, eligibility rules and levels of aid vary for different types of financial aid, and thus students must always consult with the Financial Aid Office in the Merrill Center regarding any questions concerning impact of course load on scholarships, grants, loans, loan repayment, loan deferment, student employment and other aid-related matters. Federal student aid regulations specify a minimum standard for full-time enrollment status for undergraduate students at 12 credits per semester (including the combined May/Summer term).
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For academic purposes, the minimum credit load required to be considered a full-time student in a fall or spring semester is 12 credit hours; the minimum credit load required to be considered a full-time student in winter, May, or summer sessions is 4 credit hours.
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Varsity athletics and some club sports require a minimum of full-time enrollment (among other criteria) in the semester of participation to maintain eligibility to participate. This does not apply to winter or May term enrollment for those participating in fall or spring sports whose season extends into January or May.
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There is no minimum number of credits needed for matriculated students to live in the residence halls.
Developmental courses (LIA 102, MAT 010/011/012 and Bridge courses) count towards the minimum credit load.
Students wishing to graduate in four years must earn an average of 16 credits per semester for 8 semesters in order to accumulate the 128 credits required for graduation unless they take courses in winter, May or summer sessions to compensate for averaging fewer than 16 credits per semester.