Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time* to be eligible for federal direct unsubsidized loans. However, in some cases, a graduate level student enrolled in fewer hours may be considered as completing half-time-equivalent coursework by their college, often when they may be completing thesis, dissertation, or research hours.
To be considered:
- Complete the Graduate Exception for Half-Time Enrollment form found on our Financial Aid Forms page with your graduate academic advisor. Note: Typed signatures cannot be accepted.
- Submit fully completed form to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for review.
Please allow 10-15 business days for processing; longer during peak processing periods in January, July and August.
*Graduate half-time enrollment for federal student loans is a minimum of 5 credit hours for the fall and/or spring semesters or 3 credit hours for the summer term.