Does FAFSA Cover Part-Time Students?

If you’re a part-time student, you might be balancing work, family, or other responsibilities while completing your degree, making financial aid especially important to you. You may be wondering if you qualify for financial aid or if it’s even worth it to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you’re only in school part time. 

The good news is yes—part-time students can often get financial aid. Even if you’re only taking a few classes, you should complete the FAFSA to see what you’re eligible for. While the amount of aid may be smaller than what full-time students get, every little bit helps. 

We’ll walk through part-time student financial aid options and requirements so you can make the most of what’s available.

Key Takeaways

• Part-time students can qualify for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, and work-study programs as a part-time student.
• You’ll need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester to be eligible for federal financial aid and many private options. 
• Part-time students may receive less aid than full-time students, but support is still available.
• Private student loans can help fill any funding gaps after you’ve used all available federal student aid.

Understanding Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment

When it comes to qualifying for certain types of financial aid, your enrollment status matters: 

• Colleges consider you a part-time student if you take between 6 and 11 credit hours in a semester. 
• Full-time students must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester. 

It’s important to enroll in 6 or more credit hours per semester if you want to qualify for federal grants and loans. For scholarships and private loans, the number of credit hours required can vary, but many follow the same rules as federal financial aid. 

Can Part-Time Students Get Financial Aid?

Yes, you can get financial aid as a part-time student. 

Most federal and state financial aid programs start at 6 credit hours per semester. That typically means if you’re taking at least two classes, you can qualify. Part-time students can also get scholarships and private loans.

To determine how much financial aid you can get, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA. This is a government form you’ll fill out to determine your financial need. As long as you’re taking at least 6 credit hours in the semester, you’re eligible for FAFSA. The total amount of aid you receive will depend on your financial situation and the number of credit hours you’re taking.

How FAFSA Works for Part-Time Students

Even if you’re only a part-time student, FAFSA is still the best place to start figuring out how to pay for college. FAFSA connects you to federal grants, loans, and federal work-study programs. It also helps your school understand if you qualify for state or school-based aid, and how much.

FAFSA covers part-time students and full-time students in the same way. You’ll answer questions about your income, family size, and what schools you’re applying to. The government uses that info to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI), which helps decide how much aid you’ll get. 

Once your school receives your FAFSA information, they’ll send you a financial aid award letter outlining the types and amount of aid you qualify for.

Financial Aid Types Available to Part-Time Students

There are several types of financial aid that part-time students can use. Some options come from the federal government, while others can come from your state, school, or private organizations.

Federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs are all available to part-time students. Scholarships and private student loans can also be applied to college tuition. Let’s take a closer look at where part-time students can get financial aid.

Grants

Federal grants are a type of financial aid that don’t have to be paid back. As a part-time student, you may still qualify for grants like the Federal Pell Grant. 

State grants and school-based grants might also be available, depending on where you live and go to school. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there are additional grant opportunities available for part-time students.

Scholarships

Scholarships are another great way to lower your college costs, and many scholarships don’t require you to be a full-time student. Some scholarships are based on academic merit, while others are awarded based on background, interests, or field of study. 

You can find scholarships through your school, local organizations, or national programs. Ask your school counselor or use online search tools like Scholarships360 to find options part-time students qualify for.

Like grants, you don’t have to pay back scholarships, and since there is no cap on how many scholarships you can be awarded, applying to as many as possible can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Federal Loans

Federal student loans are available to many part-time students. There are two main types: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans don’t gain interest while you’re in school at least half-time, which usually means 6 credits. 

Unsubsidized loans start collecting interest right away, but they are available for students whose income is too high to qualify for subsidized loans. Federal loans can help you cover costs that grants and scholarships don’t.

Private Student Loans to Fill in the Gaps

Sometimes, federal aid isn’t enough to cover all your school costs—even if you’re only going part-time. Part-time students can get financial aid from private lenders to pay for tuition, books, fees, and other school expenses not covered by federal aid.

As with federal loans, you’ll need to meet certain enrollment requirements to qualify. You’ll usually also need to meet minimum income and credit score requirements. Private loans offer benefits like a fast application process and flexible repayment options that work with non-traditional students. 

Ascent offers private student loans with and without a cosigner, no fees, 40 repayment options, and student-friendly benefits to help throughout your experience. Ascent’s undergraduate borrowers also get access to expert coaching and resources to support degree completion and career success. 

With any loan, be sure to read the terms carefully before you borrow, and don’t borrow more than you need to cover your expenses.

Learn More with Ascent

Going to college part-time doesn’t mean you lack financial options. Many part-time students can get financial aid if they’re enrolled in at least 6 credit hours for the semester. FAFSA is a great place to start, but you may also want to explore private student loans to help cover the rest. 

Ascent offers flexible loan options for all types of students—but we’re also here to support your journey however we can. Check out the key takeaways from our latest FAFSA webinar to learn more about how to apply for financial aid as a part-time student.

FAQs

Does FAFSA provide aid for part-time college students?

Yes, FAFSA provides financial aid to many part-time students. You need to take at least 6 credit hours per semester to qualify for most federal programs. The amount of aid you get will depend on your enrollment level and financial need.

How many credits do I need to take to qualify for financial aid?

Most financial aid programs require you to take at least 6 credits per semester, which is considered half-time or part-time enrollment. Anything less than that may limit your options or make you ineligible.

How do I indicate that I’m a part-time student on my FAFSA application?

You don’t need to select “part-time” on the FAFSA itself. Your school will determine your enrollment level based on your class schedule. They’ll use that to figure out how much aid you qualify for.

Are there private loans designed for part-time students?

Private loans can be good options for both part-time and full-time students. Compared to federal loans, private student loans for part-time students can offer more competitive rates based on credit and more flexible repayment terms. 

Can working adults get financial aid for part-time study?

Yes, many working adults qualify for financial aid while attending school part-time. You can apply through FAFSA and look into private loans or scholarships. Being a non-traditional student won’t stop you from getting help paying for college.