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Full Time Enrollment

Full Time Enrollment

Owned by Carmen Escobedo
Last updated: Apr 08, 2023
2 min read

What is full-time enrollment?

For graduate students at UW, full-time enrollment is 10 or more credits in a given quarter.

When do I need to be full-time?

The AA Department does not have enrollment requirements that apply to all students; however, full-time enrollment is required during any quarter for which the student has:

  • Teaching or Research Assistantship or certain other academic appointments

  • Certain types of federal financial aid awards or loans

  • F-1 or J-1 visa

Students are responsible for knowing and complying with their enrollment requirement!

Are there exceptions to my full-time requirement?

Yes, under certain circumstances. 

  • TA/RA appointments

    • During summer quarter, only 2 credits are required.

  • Federal financial aid or loans

    • Awards are typically made for autumn-winter-spring quarters and you may not need to be enrolled in summer.  Verify details of your loan, or exceptions during the academic year, with the Office of Student Financial Aid. 

  • International students

    • You may be exempted from full-time enrollment during summer quarter or your final quarter in your degree program.  Other scenarios, such as full-time CPT or thesis/dissertation credits, may allow you to register for fewer than 10 credits but still be considered full-time for immigration purposes.  Carefully review eligibility for part-time enrollment on the ISS website and always consult with ISS before going part-time!

    • Graduate students registered for thesis (700-level) or dissertation (800-level) credits may register for fewer than 10 credits and be considered full-time for immigration purposes. However, if you have a teaching or research assistantship, you will still be required to register for 10 credits, except in summer, when 2 credits are required for RA/TA appointments. Check with Danyel and ISS before dropping below 10 credits.

Exceptions to your full-time requirement may be available due to extenuating personal, academic, or medical circumstances.  Always check with your academic advisor, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and/or ISS before enrolling part-time!!