Savanna Hoffman
Part-time students often require financial aid to help balance work, family, or other responsibilities while completing their degrees. FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a government form that students can fill out to determine their financial need. FAFSA covers both part-time and full-time students and connects them to federal grants, loans, and federal work-study programs. While the amount of aid may be smaller for part-time students, they can still qualify for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, and work-study programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Part-time students are eligible for FAFSA as long as they are taking at least 6 credit hours in the semester. |
| Amount of aid | The amount of aid received depends on the student's financial situation and the number of credit hours they are taking. |
| Enrollment status | FAFSA does not ask if the applicant is a full-time or part-time student, but it does require them to report their expected enrollment status. |
| Deadlines | Part-time students may miss the school's priority deadline for FAFSA completion, but they can still complete the application. |
| Financial aid options | Part-time students can qualify for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, and work-study programs. |
| Private loans | Private student loans can be a good option for part-time students, offering competitive rates and flexible repayment terms. |
| Federal aid | Part-time students can access federal financial aid, but they must be enrolled at least half-time. |
| State aid | In addition to federal aid, part-time students may qualify for state financial aid, which varies by state. |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time students can receive federal financial aid
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary tool for part-time students to access financial aid. FAFSA covers both part-time and full-time students, and it's important to complete the form accurately and honestly. FAFSA connects students to federal grants, loans, and work-study programs, and helps schools determine eligibility for state or school-based aid. While FAFSA does not have its own standards for part-time and full-time status, it abides by the individual institution's definitions.
Part-time students should be aware that their financial aid amount may be smaller than that of full-time students. Additionally, some state and institutional aid programs require full-time enrolment. It's recommended to consult the financial aid office to understand specific eligibility requirements, as factors like citizenship status, criminal history, and intellectual disabilities may affect FAFSA applications.
To maximise financial aid, part-time students should also explore private scholarships and loans. Scholarships can provide additional funding, and private student loans may offer more competitive rates and flexible repayment terms. It's important to carefully assess educational expenses and consider federal and state aid options before turning to private loans.
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FAFSA eligibility criteria
FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a government form that determines your eligibility for financial aid. FAFSA covers both part-time and full-time students. To be eligible for FAFSA, you must meet the following criteria:
Enrollment Status
You must be enrolled at least half-time, which typically means taking at least 6 credit hours per semester. If you drop below half-time (usually fewer than 6 credits), you may lose eligibility for federal loans.
Citizenship Status
Certain non-citizens may be eligible for federal student aid if they can provide evidence of their intention to become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Financial Need
FAFSA considers your income and family size when calculating your financial need. For the 2025-2026 academic year, dependent students can earn up to $11,510 before their income affects financial aid eligibility, while independent students have a higher allowance.
Degree Completion Timeline
To remain eligible for federal financial aid, you must complete your degree within a certain timeframe. For example, for a four-year degree program, you must complete it within six years to continue receiving aid.
It's important to note that even if you meet all the eligibility criteria, the amount of financial aid you receive may vary depending on your enrollment status and financial need. Part-time students may receive less financial aid compared to full-time students. Additionally, some state and institutional aid programs require full-time enrollment.
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FAFSA application process
FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a government form that students can fill out to determine their financial need. The application process involves answering questions about income, family size, and the schools being applied to. The government uses this information to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI), which helps decide how much aid the applicant will receive.
Part-time students are eligible for FAFSA as long as they are taking at least 6 credit hours in the semester. However, the amount of aid they receive will depend on their financial situation and the number of credit hours they are taking. Part-time students may receive less financial aid than full-time students, but it is still worth applying to figure out how to pay for college. FAFSA covers both part-time and full-time students and can connect them to federal grants, loans, and federal work-study programs. It also helps schools understand if the student qualifies for state or school-based aid.
The FAFSA application process for part-time students is the same as for full-time students. Students do not need to select "part-time" on the FAFSA form itself. Their school will determine their enrollment level based on their class schedule and use that to assess how much aid they qualify for. It is important to note that each college or university may have different standards for what qualifies as full-time and part-time. Therefore, it is recommended to consult directly with the financial aid office to understand what is applicable in a specific case.
While FAFSA does not have its own standards for what constitutes full-time and part-time enrollment, it abides by the individual institution's standards. The number of credit hours a student is enrolled in will affect their total cost of attendance (COA), which is a significant factor in determining the amount of aid they will receive. Additionally, factors such as criminal history, citizenship status, and intellectual disabilities may affect a student's FAFSA application, but they do not necessarily disqualify them. FAFSA requires tax returns and other information regarding financial assets but does not check individual bank accounts.
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FAFSA award amounts
The amount of money you can receive from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) depends on your financial need. The Student Aid Index (SAI) determines eligibility for need-based aid, which replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A lower SAI means more aid eligibility. The maximum amount can be tens of thousands of dollars per year. The average amount is about $16,360, with less than half of that in the form of grants.
For the 2024-25 school year, the amounts are as follows:
- Up to $22,895 per year for dependent students
- Up to $27,895 per year for independent students
- Average grants awarded: $4,883
The amount of aid you receive depends on multiple factors, including your financial need, other aid you qualify for, and how your school distributes funds. For example, Pell Grant amounts vary based on financial need, enrollment status, and school cost. The income limit to qualify for a Pell Grant award varies slightly depending on your state of residence, family size, dependency status, marriage status, and whether you have children. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2023-24 school year was $7,395. For the 2025-26 school year, the maximum award is $7,395.
Additionally, colleges often provide their own need-based grants, and they use the information you submit on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility. For example, Penn State University offers the Penn State Academic Grant, a need-based award for undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time. Colorado State University offers the CSU Ram Grant, which provides up to $6,900 for Colorado residents enrolled in an undergraduate program to help with tuition and other expenses.
It is important to note that there are no income limits for the FAFSA, and the U.S. Department of Education does not have an income cap for federal financial aid. However, your family's income and assets do affect your financial aid eligibility. Income is the most straightforward metric counted, including adjusted gross income (AGI) and certain types of untaxed income reported on federal income tax returns. Benefits received, such as Social Security and unemployment, are also considered.
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Additional scholarship and loan options
Part-time students can qualify for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, and work-study programs. While the amount of aid may be smaller than what full-time students receive, it can still help ease the burden of tuition fees and other educational expenses.
Scholarships can be a great resource for part-time students to help cover the costs of tuition and other expenses. There are a variety of scholarships available specifically for part-time students, including those that recognize the additional costs and obstacles that part-time students face. These scholarships aim to provide financial support to help students pursue their education while balancing work, family, or other responsibilities. Some scholarships are also tailored to specific situations, such as for moms, online learners, non-traditional students, and adults.
Part-time students can also consider private scholarships, which may offer more competitive rates and flexible repayment terms compared to federal loans. Additionally, part-time students are eligible for many of the same student loans as full-time students, although the total eligible amount may vary. Federal loans are a common source of funding for undergraduate students, with an estimated 29% borrowing federal loans to pay for college.
It is important to note that some scholarships and merit-based awards require full-time enrollment. However, part-time students should not be discouraged, as there are still a range of scholarship options available to them. Students can research the available scholarships at their school and reach out to the financial aid or admissions office to inquire about additional opportunities specifically for part-time students.
In terms of loans, private loans can be a good option for part-time students, as they often offer more competitive rates and flexible repayment terms compared to federal loans. Part-time students can also take advantage of federal loan programs, which may include more favorable interest rates and repayment options.
Overall, part-time students have a variety of scholarship and loan options available to help fund their education. It is important to research and apply for all the scholarships that one qualifies for, as well as to consider the different loan options to make informed decisions about financing one's education.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, FAFSA does pay for part-time students, but the amount of aid may be smaller than what full-time students receive.
You can apply for FAFSA as a part-time student in the same way as a full-time student. You don't need to select "part-time" on the FAFSA form itself. Your school will determine your enrollment level based on your class schedule.
The amount of financial aid you can get as a part-time student is determined by your financial situation and the number of credit hours you're taking. Your school will use the information provided in your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for state-specific aid programs.
In addition to FAFSA, you can explore private scholarships, private student loans, and work-study programs to fund your education as a part-time student.
