Enrollment Changes

As a part-time student, you are required to enroll in a certain number of credit hours to keep your enrollment status. If you leave school or need to take fewer classes and your enrollment status drops below half time, you could receive less financial aid or lose it completely. On the other hand, if you enroll in additional classes, you may be eligible for more aid, but you'll need to let the financial aid office know.

Loans
If your enrollment status drops below half time, you'll have a six-month (Stafford) or nine-month (Perkins) grace period before you must start repaying your loans. Check the requirements for other loans, including those made with private lenders. During your grace period, you should receive repayment information. You are expected to begin making payments regardless of your employment situation. If you cannot begin repayment, contact your lender immediately. In rare circumstances, it's possible to extend your grace period. For private loans, contact your specific lending institution for their repayment information options.

Grants
Both your enrollment status and your GPA may affect the amount of grant money you receive every term. If you received funding for full-time or part-time enrollment and attended classes part time or less than half time, be aware that you may be required to repay some of the grant money you already received.

Scholarships
The terms of your scholarship determine if you must repay any money if your enrollment status changes. Scholarships may not have specific provisions about part-time student status or repayment requirements when you leave school. However, you should read the fine print or contact the donor for specific details.

If you need to take fewer classes, or if you're thinking of taking more in the coming terms, always let the financial aid department know. They can tell you how any change will affect your financial aid, which allows you to plan your year accordingly.