FAQ’s on Part-Time Enrollment

Before making the decision to enroll as a part-time student or drop to part-time status, be sure to understand the implications.  The Office of the Registrar lists a number of Part-time Enrollment Considerations. After reviewing the considerations, complete the ‘Undergraduate Part-Time Enrollment Request’ in CAESAR (see Course Load Policies Part-Time Enrollment Considerations). When you are filling out this request, make sure to check the add/tuition adjustment deadline because whether or not you submit this form, your tuition will be re-calculated after the add/tuition adjustment deadline based on the number of units in which you are enrolled in at that point. NOTE: The Undergraduate Part-Time Enrollment Request is not always available in CAESAR; the form becomes available at the beginning of regular registration for the upcoming term and remains available through the last day of the first week of that term.

Full-time students (enrolled in 3.00-5.50 units) are billed at the full-time tuition rate. Part-time students (enrolled in fewer than 3.00 units) are charged tuition per unit. (Students enrolled in more than 5.50 units, referred to as an overload enrollment, are also charged tuition per unit). If a student drops from full-time to part-time by the tuition adjustment deadline, tuition is adjusted accordingly. If a student drops to part-time after the tuition adjustment deadline, tuition is not adjusted, and the student will not be eligible for any tuition refund.

In rare cases, students who miss the tuition adjustment deadline due to circumstances beyond their control may submit a petition for a late tuition adjustment.

Part-time enrollment does not change a student’s calculated family contribution. Need-based financial aid eligibility is determined by calculating the costs for the year and subtracting the amount of the family contribution. In general, students who are eligible for financial aid and enroll part time will have a reduction in aid that is similar to the reduction in costs.

For purposes of financial aid eligibility, students who enroll in 2.00 to 2.99 units are considered part-time and students who enroll in fewer than 2.00 units are considered less than part-time.

Students who are enrolled part-time (2.00-2.99 units in a quarter) retain their eligibility for Northwestern financial aid.

• If a student drops from full time to part-time by the tuition adjustment deadline, the tuition charge is adjusted, and the financial aid is adjusted to the per credit tuition rate.
• If a student drops to part-time after the tuition adjustment deadline, tuition remains at the full-time rate and the student’s financial aid is not adjusted. The student will not need to return any financial aid dollars they have received for the quarter.

Students who are enrolled less than part-time (fewer than 2.00 units in a quarter) are not eligible for Northwestern financial aid, though students with at least 1.5 units are eligible for federal loans. Students might also have reduced eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant if they are less than part-time.  

• If a student drops from full-time to less than part-time prior to the tuition adjustment deadline the tuition charge and financial aid will be adjusted.
• If a student drops to less than part-time after the tuition adjustment deadline, the tuition remains at the full-time rate and the student’s financial aid is not adjusted. The student will not need to return any financial aid dollars they have received for the quarter.

Frequent part-time or less than part-time enrollment status could impact  students' financial aid eligibility if students do not fulfill the requirement to make satisfactory academic progress or if students exhaust their four years of financial aid eligibility without completing their graduation requirements. See Satisfactory Academic Progress for additional information.

Further details on part-time enrollment and financial aid eligibility can be found at Undergraduate Financial Aid Enrollment Status and Financial Aid & Part-time Enrollment.

Students considering part-time enrollment will want to keep in mind the Undergraduate Registration Requirement (URR). For a quarter to count toward the URR, a student must be enrolled in 2.00 or more credits. (Other criteria must also be fulfilled for a quarter to count toward the URR.)

Probation: School policies on removal from probation vary. However, in general, students are required to complete a full load (3.0+ credits in a quarter) of classes with a grade of C or better to be removed from probation. Thus, students on probation will want to carefully consider the implications of part-time enrollment and check with their advisers on the specifics of their school’s policy.

International undergraduates must receive permission from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to be enrolled in less than 3.00 credits per quarter.

• Federal immigration regulations require nonimmigrant students in F-1 or J-1 status to be enrolled in full-time (3.00+ credits) each quarter to maintain nonimmigrant visa status. Students who are not enrolled full time by the end of each add/drop period or who drop below full-time without approval by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) violate their student immigration status. Students must contact their OISS adviser before they drop below full-time (3.00+ credits.
  • Students on F-1 or J-1 visas must be enrolled full-time (3 units or equivalent) for their first term at Northwestern, which for international undergraduates will be the fall quarter.  
  • After the first term, F-1 or J-1 students are eligible for a vacation period (usually summer) if the program allows; summer enrollment is optional for immigration purposes.
  • For an F-1 or J-1 student’s final term, full-time enrollment is required unless the student needs less than a full-time course load to graduate, e.g., a student only needs one course to graduate. A student who needs less than a full-time course load in their final term must contact their OISS adviser to complete a Reduced Course Load request.
  • See Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirements FAQ.

Student athletes must be enrolled full-time (3.0+) to participate in varsity athletics. The only exception is during the final term in which a student is carrying credit for the remaining requirements to graduate. Student athletes considering part-time or less than part-time enrollment should consult their athletic academic advisor before making such a decision.

Undergraduates living in on-campus housing are required to be enrolled full time (3+ credits) as noted in the Housing contract. Students who drop to part-time or less than part-time during the quarter will be allowed to remain in campus housing for the remainder of the quarter if this is the first time they are dropping from full-time to part-time status in the current academic year. No action is needed from the student.

When a student drops to part-time status for the second time in an academic year, is unregistered, discontinued, academically dismissed, or taking a medical leave, Residential Services contacts the student via email to communicate that the student is not eligible for housing and needs to vacate the residence hall/residential college within 48-72 hours. The housing contract outlines a 24-hour period to move out, but Residential Services typically offers additional time. Students are prompted to share circumstances that could warrant an exception and Residential Services follows up with the Dean of Students Office (most typically) to confirm. This does not happen often and is a case-by-case basis, and some examples could include:

• non-credit 1-quarter long internship
• financial hold that is in the process of being worked out
• serious health condition that requires care in the area but doesn’t allow for a full course load
• Special circumstances as an international undergraduate
• Student Assistance and Support Services identifies special circumstances

Student Health: Part-time students remain eligible to use Student Health; graduating students who have been enrolled for at least one course at any time during the current academic year have continued access during the summer immediately following graduation. See Who Can Use Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): See FAQs Who is eligible for services at CAPS. Students enrolled part-time (less than full time 3:00 credits/quarter) are eligible for a mental health consultation, crisis support, and assistance connecting to services outside of CAPS. Full-time students (non SPS) are eligible for these services and in addition, can receive ongoing therapy by a CAPS counselor.

Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, commonly known as SPAC (Sports Pavilion Aquatic Center):   Students currently enrolled in one or more credits in a degree-seeking program receive an automatic membership. Unenrolled students may establish community memberships.

Libraries: Part-time students with an active Wildcard have full access to the libraries. Unenrolled students can use the library as a visitor (present valid ID) with more limited access. See Entering Libraries.

Wildcard and lab/building access: Part-time status does not impact building access; an active Wildcard is necessary, but not sufficient for building access. Building access is determined on a building-by-building basis.  See Northwestern Facilities Building Access for more information.