Once you get into college, it’s time to create a schedule, and choosing how many credit hours to take is essential for figuring out what you can afford and what timeline you want to follow when earning your degree.
Depending on a number of factors, it can make sense to only take part-time credits rather than go to school full-time. If you have a job or significant family responsibilities, for instance, a part-time course load could make more sense. Taking fewer classes could help you balance out your tasks during the week. However, this will significantly extend the time it will take to graduate and begin earning at a higher level.
Let’s get into more of what you need to know about being a full-time vs. part-time student.
8 Key Considerations When Deciding Between a Full-Time and Part-Time Schedule
1. Credits
You might be wondering, “How many credits is a full-time student?” A full-time student typically takes 12-15 credit hours. However, your school’s system can also influence how many hours to be a full-time student. For example, if your school uses a quarter system instead of a semester system, the number of credit hours required to be full-time might be different.
A part-time student generally takes between 2 and 11 credit hours worth of courses. However, in some cases, the school might decide to give you full-time status if you’re carrying more than half the traditional course load.
Check with your school’s admissions and financial aid offices to confirm what qualifies you as a full-time vs. part-time student.
2. Tuition
Besides your overall workload, your student status can impact the cost of your tuition. For example, part-time students often end up paying on a per-credit basis. By contrast, full-time students are more likely to pay tuition based on a per-semester or per-quarter cost.
A part-time student often pays tuition over a longer time, spreading out the cost of their credit hours over several years. While a full-time course load might be more expensive upfront, more years in school as a part-time student could result in long-term tuition expenses equaling the total cost of full-time attendance.
Full-time students can also potentially get more bang for their buck by loading up on classes. As mentioned, 12 credit hours is typically considered a full course load. Some schools allow students to take up to 18 or 21 credit hours per semester. If you can fit that many classes into your schedule, you could finish faster and save money overall.
3. Financial Aid
Your enrollment status as a part-time or full-time student can also affect your federal financial aid. You might need to take at least six credit hours to qualify for federal student loans. But no matter your situation, you can usually find financial aid for part-time students.
Your full-time vs. part-time student status also impacts how much you get in grants, like the Pell Grant. If you’re taking less than a full course load of 12 credit hours, then you’ll get a proportional amount. For example, if you’re taking six credits instead of 12, you’ll only get 50% of the Pell Grant amount.
Applying for scholarships is another option that can help you pay for school. Depending on the scholarship, though, you might be required to be a full-time student. Some scholarships are available to part-time students as well. When you apply for a scholarship, review the requirements to find out if there are minimum credit-hour criteria.
4. Time Commitment
When deciding between becoming a full-time vs. part-time college student, you also need to consider the time commitment and the level of flexibility your schedule allows.
As a college student who just graduated high school, you might have more time to attend school because you’re just starting out, but it depends on your situation. For adults returning to school later, though, it might make more sense to go part-time to accommodate family and job obligations.
Students who plan to work through school may have less flexibility than those who aren’t employed. But working while in school has its advantages. For instance, your earnings could help offset the cost of your tuition and other related expenses. Determining a realistic course load can help you avoid getting overwhelmed if you’re working part-time or full-time while attending school.
5. Course Availability
Don’t forget to consider the availability of classes and programs when you’re a full-time vs. part-time college student. You may have a wider variety of options as a full-time student vs. a part-time student. If you have schedule constraints, you might not be able to get the courses you need when you need them as a part-time student.
6. College Tax Credit Eligibility
You’ll also want to consider the tax implications of your enrollment status. Some tax credits are only available if you’re taking over a certain number of credits.
To qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, for example, you have to be enrolled in college at least half-time. However, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit for up to $2,000, no matter your full-time vs. part-time student status.
7. College Experience
In addition to full-time vs. part-time student taxes and other considerations, you also need to think about what you want in terms of your college experience. A full-time college student will likely spend more time on campus and have a “traditional” college experience. By contrast, part-time students might not have quite the same experience, especially if they commute to campus. Some extracurricular activities and sports programs also require full-time enrollment to participate.
8. Student Loan Repayment
In most cases, you won’t have to start repaying your student loans until you graduate — or drop below half-time enrollment. As a result, you will need to maintain a minimum amount of credit hours (typically at least six credit hours) if you want to keep your deferment for federal student loan repayment as a part-time student.
No matter your enrollment status, though, you might be eligible to refinance your student loans after graduation to potentially get a lower interest rate. In addition to potentially saving you money on interest, refinancing could also help you pay off your student loan faster.
Pros and Cons of Full-Time vs. Part-Time Credits
Carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of being a full-time vs. part-time student before choosing your path.
Full-Time:
Pros
- Finish school faster
- More bang for your buck when you reach the tuition cap
- Eligibility for more scholarships and extracurricular opportunities
Cons
- Larger upfront costs might require borrowing loans
- More significant time commitment
- Less flexibility to work or pursue other opportunities
Part-Time:
Pros
- Might be easier to manage the upfront cost when you pay per-credit
- Less significant time commitment
- More flexibility in your schedule for work or family obligations
Cons
- Takes longer to complete your degree or course of study
- More limited access to extracurricular activities and scholarships
- Need to maintain half-time status to keep your in-school student loan deferment
Can You Be a Full-Time & Part-Time Student At The Same Time?
Just as you can’t be in two places at once, you can’t be a full-time and part-time student at the same time. But depending on your situation, you can mix whether you attend school part-time or full-time. For example, some students might opt to start part-time at a local community college and then transition to a full-time four-year college once they’ve completed their core courses. Credits often transfer, though it depends on your school.
The main issue to be aware of as a part-time student is your credit-hour status with regard to student loan repayment. Enrolling in at least six credit hours per semester can help you defer payments on your federal student loans until after graduation. Once you drop below those credit hours for half-time enrollment, you may lose your in-school deferment.
Apply for Private Student Loans With ELFI
If you decide that being a full-time or part-time student is the right move for you, you may find that you need to fill some funding gaps. Once you reach your federal student loan limit, you might want to apply for private student loans. Private student loans often come with lower interest rates, especially if you have good credit. Additionally, a private student loan through ELFI comes with flexible repayment options, as well as loan terms designed to fit your needs.*You can even get help from one of ELFI’s personal loan advisors to help you review your options and come up with an approach that’s likely to work well for you.
Deciding whether to be a part-time vs. full-time college student has pros and cons. Think about your individual situation and what’s most likely to fit with your financial situation, as well as your other family and work obligations. Then, come up with a strategy to pay for school that involves a combination of savings, work, scholarships, and student loans.
