Definition of Enrollment Status at Radford University

Undergraduate students

Full-time status for an undergraduate student is 12 semester hours during the Fall or Spring semesters. Students must have at least 6 hours during the Fall or Spring semester to be eligible for financial aid. For Summer 1, Summer 2, or Maymester sessions, full-time is considered 12 hours (students must enroll for at 6 least hours). For Summer 3 session, full-time is considered 12 hours (students must have at least 6 hours). Classes taken for audit are not counted for financial aid purposes. Classes taken for Audit do not count in the total semester hours in determining financial aid eligibility.

Financial assistance shall be available to eligible full-time and part-time students only as follows: 

• For federally sponsored campus-based financial assistance programs, eligible full-time (12 hours or more) students will be considered first when awarding financial aid. 
• The Federal Pell Grant program and the Federal Stafford Loan program allow any student enrolled at least half-time to apply for assistance. Less than full-time students, when eligible, will receive a pro-rated award.
• State financial assistance programs are available to full-time and part-time students.
• Recent law changes allow limited financial aid to students attending less than half-time.
• Contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

Graduate students

Full-time status for a graduate student is 9 semester hours during the Fall or Spring semesters. Students must have at least 5 hours during the Fall or Spring semester to be eligible for financial aid. For Summer 1, Summer 2, or Maymester sessions, full-time is considered 9 hours (students must enroll for at least 5 hours). For Summer 3 session, full-time is considered 9 hours (students must have at least 5 hours). This definition applies to all federal financial aid programs. Some Graduate Assistantship programs administered through the Graduate College define full-time status for these students as 6 hours. However, this does not apply to the federal financial aid programs. Classes taken for audit are not counted for financial aid purposes. Classes taken for Audit do not count in the total semester hours in determining financial aid eligibility.

• For federally sponsored campus-based financial assistance programs, eligible full-time (9 hours or more) students will be considered first when awarding financial aid. 
• The RU Graduate Grant program requires full-time enrollment (9 semester hours).

Enrollment verification

A student's financial aid package is based on the enrollment status that the student indicated on their FAFSA.  Students should notify the RU Financial Aid Office in writing if their is a change in the number of hours for which they intend to enroll.  Enrollment is checked at the end of schedule adjustment each semester or term.  If the student is not enrolled for the number of hours indicated on the FAFSA at the end of schedule adjustment, the student's cost and aid package is adjusted based on the enrollment after census date.

Students should also be aware that class attendance is checked twice each semester.  Instructors submit this information to the Registrar's Office.  Students who stop attending all classes will have their financial aid eligibility recalculated for the semester.  Lack of class attendance will negatively impact students' future financial aid eligibility.  This information will be considered in cases where students must file Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals.