The full-time classification may be met in different ways depending upon the reason a student is seeking this classification. Federal guidelines are followed when seeking full-time classification for financial aid eligibility and enrollment verification.

For Financial Aid Eligibility & Enrollment Verification

Full-time status is defined as being registered for 9 or more credits. The total number of credits regardless of level is used when determining whether a student is full-time. Therefore, matriculated graduate students may take a mixture of undergraduate and graduate courses and still be considered full-time if they are registered for at least 9 credits.

The Office of Records & Registration uses 9 credits as full-time status for enrollment verification purposes. Students may request an Enrollment Verification from the Office of Records & Registration at https://www.newpaltz.edu/registrar/enrollproof.html.

For Academic Workload

A student's academic workload constitutes full-time status as determined by Graduate Studies using standards applicable to all students enrolled in the same program. The workload can consist of any combination of courses, work experience, research, or special studies. This approach aligns with the National Student Clearinghouse's definition of full-time status.

Although the University may consider these students academically full-time working toward a degree, they may not meet Financial Aid's eligibility requirements for full-time status. Check with Financial Aid about this matter.

Students seeking confirmation of their “Academic Full-time Enrollment” must email their request to the Office of Graduate, Professional & Interdisciplinary Studies at gradstudies@newpaltz.edu. Students seeking confirmation of their full-time enrollment status for financial aid should request an Enrollment Verification from the Office of Records & Registration.

The University will consider the following categories as academic full-time enrollment: 

 

  • Full-time GSEU TRs, TAs, and GAs working 20-hours/week and registered for at least 6 credits per semester. 

  • A student registered for less than 9 credits in their final semester of coursework.

  • A student who has completed all coursework and is registered for an H-grade in thesis and one credit of continued registration in the current semester.

  • A domestic student who has completed all coursework and is registered for a zero-credit comprehensive exam workshop. 

  • A student taking 6 credits per summer session.