Can a student who is enrolled less than half-time receive federal student aid?

A student enrolled less than half-time generally cannot receive federal student aid because most federal financial aid programs, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans, have enrollment status requirements that stipulate a minimum of half-time enrollment, which is typically defined as at least six credit hours per semester at many institutions. This stipulation is rooted in the federal regulations governing student eligibility for aid, which aim to promote student success and retention in full-time programs of study.

While there are some exceptions within specific state or institutional aid programs that may allow for funding without the half-time requirement, federal student aid programs have this minimum enrollment criterion in place. Therefore, when evaluating eligibility for federal aid, the requirement of at least half-time enrollment is a key factor that impacts whether students can access these financial resources.