Effect of Enrollment Changes on Federal Aid
It is important to understand that changes in enrollment (registered credits) may affect the amount of Federal Aid a student is eligible for. If a student drops one or more classes after receiving a Pell Grant or Stafford Loan, adjustments may need to be made to his/her financial aid package.
Stafford Loans
Students must be enrolled for at least six credits to be eligible for Stafford Loans during a regular semester and at least three credits during a term. If a student drops below these minimums, all loan funds must be returned to the lender.
Pell Grants
Pell Grants are need-based awards and unlike other awards, students do not need to maintain full or half-time status in order to keep the award. However, how much the student is awarded depends on the number of enrolled credits.
| 12 or more semester hours |
full-time payment |
| 9-11.5 semester hours |
3/4-time payment |
| 6-8.5 semester hours |
1/2-time payment |
| Less than 6 semester hours |
less than 1/2-time payment |
For example, if a student originally was enrolled for 12 credits, and then drops a 3 credit class, one-quarter of the Pell Grant would need to be returned.
Other Important Considerations
If a student does not complete 70% of the attempted credits, he will not meet the rate-of-progress component of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and may not be eligible for federal aid for the next academic year.
Students who are thinking of dropping credits should read the Satisfactory Academic Progress information before making a decision.
Students who drop all classes by officially withdrawing, or who earn zero credits from all of their classes are subject to the Return of Title IV funds.
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