Contingent upon following appropriate procedures and receiving an adjustment to tuition, adjustments to a student’s financial aid may be necessary as well.
Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, State Grant, and University Scholarship* (including Faculty/Staff Education Benefit) will be reduced based on a percentage adjustment. Since 12 credit hours is considered full-time enrollment by the University, the percentage of financial aid adjustment is based on the number of credits enrolled for the semester divided by 12.
Example: Student enrolled in 9 credit hours for the semester will receive 75% of their federal grant and University Scholarship funds during that semester (9 credits/12 credits = 75%).
Federal and private student loans will be adjusted as needed to comply with federal and institutional guidelines; however, most situations do not require an adjustment.
In some cases when a student reduces their enrollment to less than full-time, a portion or all of a scholarship from an outside organization must be returned to the donor. Any reduction or return of outside scholarships will be at the discretion of the donating organization.
Students receiving education benefits from their parent’s employer should confirm (with parent’s employer – usually Human Resources department) how less than full-time enrollment may affect their eligibility for these benefits.
*University scholarship consideration is given for a maximum of eight semesters (ten semesters for the architecture program and combination five-year engineering program with the College of Arts and Letters). Students electing to remain at Notre Dame to pursue a second major or degree are not eligible for University scholarships.
Students Enrolled in Less Than Six Credit Hours
Federal regulation and University policy dictate that students enrolled less than half-time (fewer than six credit hours) are not eligible for federal financial aid (grants and loans) or University Scholarship assistance. Students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, however, may receive a prorated amount of this grant with less than half-time enrollment. Private loans are available for students enrolled less than half-time.
Students who cease to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis will enter their grace period and begin repayment on their federal loans (Perkins and Direct Loans). Students may enter repayment for many private loans as well and should contact their private loan lender directly for information.