Ever wondered what it means to be Part-Time or Full-Time at Ithaca College? Do you have loans, grants, work study, or scholarships that help pay for college? Are you a college athlete? Are you an international student? Do you need to be full time for your health insurance? Do you get a discount on car insurance? What about when you want to have a lighter credit load one semester, what’s the minimum? If you have these questions and more about enrollment status, you’ve come to the right article.
Part-Time Enrollment (Undergraduate 1-11 credits)
Undergraduate students enrolled in less than 12 credits enrolled in the Fall or Spring semesters are considered “Part-Time”. Students may take less than 12 credits for a variety of reasons, but should always check with their faculty advisor and Student Financial Services prior to starting a part-time semester to ensure they understand the implications of being part-time. It is recommended to enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester to stay on track to graduate.
Want to enroll part-time? Be sure to complete the Part Time Credit Request form located in ICWorkflow (New) on apps.ithaca.edu. If you do not complete the form, you will be billed full time.
Part-Time Enrollment (Graduate 1-8 credits, depending on Program)
Graduate students are considered part-time if they are enrolled in less than 9 credits or less than the expected number of credits based on program requirements. It is rare for a Graduate student to be part-time, and students should confirm with their departments prior to enrolling in a part-time semester.
Full-Time Enrollment (Undergraduate 12-18 credits)
Undergraduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in between 12 and 18 credits in a semester. If students want to take more than 18 credits in a semester, they need to complete the Over 18 Credit Request form located in ICWorkflow (New) on apps.ithaca.edu. Please note there is an additional per credit charge for over 18 credits and your Dean approval is required.
Full-Time Enrollment (Graduate 9-12 credits, depending on Program)
Graduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in between 9 and 12 credits. Some programs may have different full-time credit expectations. Please consult with your department if you are unsure of how many credits you should take as a Graduate student.
What about the Winter semester?
Part-Time and Full-Time status do NOT apply to the Winter semester. There are limits on how many credits you take in the Winter and Summer. You can take a maximum of 4 credits in the Winter.
Want to learn more about the Winter semester, including enrollment and tuition? Check out the Winter Session website.
Does the Summer semester have Part-Time and Full-Time?
Yes! For undergraduates, full-time in the summer is defined at 12 credits overall. You must take at least 6 credits in session 1 and 6 credits in session 2 to be considered full-time. For Graduates, full-time status is 6 credits.
Want to learn more about the summer semester, including status and tuition? Check out the Summer at Ithaca College website.
What should I keep in mind?
Always keep in mind your graduation goal and program requirements when deciding if you’ll be part- or full-time. When you’re deciding what is the best path for you, speak with Student Financial Services as soon as possible to ensure you know how being part-time could impact your financial aid.
When you are making your graduation plans, you should always consult with your faculty advisor to ensure your plans can become a reality. This includes if you’re planning to be part-time, take summer or winter courses, or study abroad.