SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
American University · Washington, D.C.
GRADUATE ADVISING
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Full-Time/Half-Time Certification
In certain instances a graduate student can be certified as a half-time student even if he/she is not registered for 9 or more credits or a full-time student even if he/she is registered for fewer than 9 credits. An academic advisor completes this certification (also know as an "in lieu of" form) for an eligible student upon request.
A full-time (or half-time) certification signifies to the University that you are doing academic work above and beyond the credits that you've registered for that semester.
- Why is Full-Time (or Half-Time) Status Important?
- Do I qualify?
- Certifications for international students
- If I'm eligible, what do I need to do?
Why is Full-Time (or Half-Time) Status Important?
- For international students, US immigration law requires that you be registered as a full-time student each Fall and Spring semester
- For domestic students, you need to be at least half-time during the school year and full-time during the summer to be eligible for federal financial aid, or student loan deferment
- You need to be full-time to be automatically for student health insurance coverage from the University
You qualify for a certification if you are registered for at least one credit of academic work and you meet one or more of the following conditions*:
- You are preparing for and taking a comprehensive examination that semester
- You are enrolled in language training courses and/or preparing to take the language exam
- You are working on an MA thesis or other independent study/research
Certifications for international students
In addition to the above reasons, an international student may qualify for a certification for the following reasons:
- In your first semester you are experiencing initial difficulties with English, reading, and/or classes, or you are in a course that is at the wrong course level for you (in this case you must be registered for at least 6 credits)
- You are prevented from pursuing a full-time courseload because of a medical condition (physical, mental, or emotional)
- You are in your last semester and do not need 9 credits to complete your degree
If I'm eligible, what do I need to do?
Contact your academic advisor. Only an academic advisor can prepare and submit the necessary paperwork for you to receive a full-time or half-time certification.
*A student cannot receive a full-time certification and receive financial aid if he/she is registered for SIS-099 Maintain Matriculation
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