Full-Time Status At Indiana University: Understanding Credit Requirements

Indiana University defines a full-time undergraduate student as someone enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each term, including the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Graduate students, on the other hand, are required to take a minimum of 8 credit hours each semester to be considered full-time. It is important to note that maintaining full-time student status is crucial for financial aid, the duration of your degree, and eligibility for certain services.

Undergraduate students need 12+ credits to be full-time

Undergraduate students need 12 or more credits to be considered full-time at Indiana University. This applies to each of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Undergraduate students may take no more than 18 credits in the fall or spring terms and no more than 14 in the summer term.

Full-time status is important for financial aid, the amount of time it takes to finish a degree, and eligibility for certain services. For example, to be eligible for a fellowship as a graduate student, you'll need to be enrolled in at least six hours.

The number of credits you take can also affect your insurance coverage or benefits. Additionally, if you're an international student, maintaining full-time status is essential to maintaining your F-1 student visa status.

It's worth noting that some degree programs require more than 12 credits per term, and superior students may exceed the standard credit limits with written permission from the dean. On the other hand, students on academic probation may be limited to a maximum of 12 credits per regular semester.

To complete a degree in eight semesters, students typically need to take 15 or 16 credits per semester. However, this may vary depending on the specific program, so it's recommended to consult an advisor for more specific information.

Graduate students need 8+ credits

To be considered a full-time student at Indiana University, graduate students need to take a minimum of 8 credit hours each semester. This applies to the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Graduate students with a Student Academic Appointment (SAA) of 37.5–50% FTE must enrol in a minimum of 6 credit hours. However, if you are a graduate student on an assistantship, you will need to be enrolled in at least 8 credit hours to be considered full-time.

It is important to note that the requirements for full-time status may vary depending on your specific program and whether you are an international student. For example, if you are an international graduate student starting your studies at Indiana University during the summer term, you will need to enrol in 4 credit hours for each summer session (8 total credits for the full summer term).

Additionally, maintaining full-time enrolment is crucial for financial aid, the time it takes to complete your degree, and eligibility for certain services. For instance, to be eligible for a fellowship as a graduate student, you typically need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, unless you are enrolled in thesis or dissertation hours.

To ensure you meet the requirements for full-time status and to understand how it may impact your specific situation, it is recommended to consult with your advisor or the Office of the Registrar.

Full-time status affects financial aid

At Indiana University, full-time status for undergraduate students is defined as being enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of coursework per semester. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours are considered part-time. A typical full-time course load is approximately 15 credit hours per semester.

Maintaining full-time status is crucial for students receiving financial aid. Many grants, scholarships, and loans require full-time enrollment for disbursement. For example, the Federal Pell Grant and the Frank O'Bannon Grant (Indiana Higher Education Award) require full-time enrollment. Additionally, federal loans often mandate a minimum number of credit hours for eligibility.

Full-time status can impact the amount and duration of financial aid. Students with full-time status may be eligible for higher amounts of financial aid compared to part-time students. It is important to note that dropping below full-time status, such as reducing enrolled credit hours or withdrawing from a class, can result in changes to financial aid eligibility. In some cases, students may be asked to return a portion of their financial aid if they drop below full-time enrollment.

To maintain financial aid eligibility, students should carefully review the requirements for their specific grants, scholarships, and loans. They should also consult with the financial aid office at Indiana University to understand how any changes in enrollment status might affect their financial aid package.

Additionally, students should be mindful of their academic progress. Failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress, such as not meeting the minimum GPA requirements or completion rates, can also impact financial aid eligibility, regardless of full-time status.

International students have visa requirements

To be considered a full-time student at Indiana University, you need to be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of coursework. However, to complete a degree in eight semesters, you should be taking 15 or 16 credit hours per semester.

Now, for international students, visa requirements are essential. Most international students at Indiana University will have one of two types of nonimmigrant statuses: F-1 or J-1. All full-time students qualify for an F-1 visa, which is the most common status for full-time international students in the United States. However, depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for a J-1 visa, which is primarily for exchange students attending for a set time, typically a semester or an academic year.

To apply for an F-1 visa, you need to receive an I-20 form from the university. For a J-1 visa, you should receive a DS-2019 form. The visa application process involves four steps:

• Pay the SEVIS fee.
• Schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in your home country.
• Prepare the necessary documentation, including the SEVIS payment receipt, visa application forms, and current financial documentation.
• Prepare for your interview, where you will need to prove that you do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. and have plans to return home after your studies.

It's important to maintain your legal status and follow all rules and regulations during your stay in the U.S. Failure to do so may result in serious consequences, including early departure from the country. The Office of International Services at Indiana University is a valuable resource for international students, providing guidance and support throughout their time at the university.

Students can take courses at other schools

At Indiana University, students are considered full-time when enrolled in 12 or more credit hours of coursework. Those enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours are considered part-time. A typical full-time load is approximately 15 credit hours.

Indiana University students can take courses at other IU campuses. To do so while receiving financial aid, students must file a consortium appeal. Students can receive aid for only one semester of attendance at another campus, unless:

• Their attendance at another campus is specific to their program of study.
• Their enrollment is split between Indiana University Bloomington and the other campus, with 50% of their total term credit hours being taken at IU Bloomington.

To be considered for a consortium to study at another campus, students must meet the following criteria:

• The courses they're taking at the other IU campus must be required to earn their degree.
• To study at another campus during the fall or spring semester, they must have completed at least one full academic year at IU Bloomington. They must also have a clear academic purpose for attending another IU campus, for example, if the class isn't offered at IU Bloomington or their academic program requires them to attend another campus.
• To study at another campus during the summer, they must have completed at least one term at IU Bloomington.

Frequently asked questions