Whats the difference between full time and part time students at a university?

Question

Whats the difference between full time and part time students at a university? What would be better for a freshman student entering a university??

Answer 1

The difference is the amount of credit hours taken. As for a freshman it really depends on if you want to live on campus, working situation, and amount of years you want to be a student. Good luck!

Answer 2

Full time students take about 12-16 credit hours a semester. That is about 4-6 classes a semester. Part time students take under 12 credit hours a semester which is 1-3 classes a semester.

If you are a part time student it is going to take longer to get through college. Also when you are part time you might not be able to get certain types of financial aide unless you are enrolled full time. This could affect scholarships too.

It all depends on what type of course load you feel you can handle. As a freshmen I went full time all the way and got done in five years. Most degrees take about 4-5 years depending on how heavy the requirements are. If you go part time it could be closer to 6-8 years to get your degree if you go part time.

Answer 3

To be considered a full time student at any US college you must take 12 credit hours per semester. If not you are a part time student. Most grants and scholarships and loans require you to be full time. And to live in a dorm on campus you must be full time all semesters attending. If you took 5 credit hours first semester you would be a part time student for that one semester. If you took 12 credit hours second semester you would be a full time student for second semester only. You full time status would change each semester depending on how many credits you were taking for that semester.

Answer 4

Full time students attend a minimum of twelve credit hours a semester, and twenty four in a year while a part time student only attends six a semster. Full time get more financial aid of course, but you can't work as much during the day. Part time can only get financial aid if you go at six credit hours or more, of course it's less but you can work more. I am full time and if money is your only reason I would truely consider going full time, because I still work nearly 35 hours a week also. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Answer 5

It typically means taking 2 courses vs. the normal 4. It's also a different cost. But remember, part time students take a long, long time to graduate. It's up to you, but just starting off, I'd recommend full-time and then if you can't handle it do part time.

Answer 6

full time is 12 credits a term. part time are 9 or less. freshmen should start with 12 to 15 credits a semester

Answer 7

It's all about how many credits you are taking in a semester. And, if you can, go full time, since there are issues with your parents' insurance, and certain breaks you get.