Underloads and Financial Aid: The Impact of Less than Full-time Enrollment
Any student who wishes to carry fewer than 36 units in any given term must petition for an underload. Underloads must be approved by the Deans. Underloads for graduating seniors must be approved by the Registrar. Petitions are available online and in the Deans' Office. Students enrolled half-time (taking 18 to 26 units) will be expected to work additional hours during the academic year, as well as to accept a reduction in the tuition, books and supplies allowance of their college expense budget. The following information summarizes the impact of less than full-time enrollment.
3/4 Time
Full-time enrollment is defined in the Caltech Catalog as 36 units. Students enrolling less than full-time, taking between 27 to 35 units, are considered enrolled 3/4 time. The impact to their financial aid is usually a reduction to their grant, in the same amount as the reduction in their tuition. Federal Pell Grant recipients will have their Federal Pell award reduced according to federal regulations. The Financial Aid Office will revise the student’s budget to reflect the reduction in tuition charged and then revise the student’s aid (grant eligibility) to reflect the reduction in need.
1/2 Time
Half-time enrollment is defined as enrolling in 18 to 26 units. In this situation, the Financial Aid Office will revise the tuition amount on the budget for the reduced amount of tuition paid and also reduce the student's books and supplies allowance to one half of the standard amount for that term. The student's aid is adjusted to reflect the reduced financial aid eligibility. Federal Pell Grant recipients will have their Pell award reduced according to federal regulations. The Financial Aid Office will revise the student’s budget to reflect the reduction in tuition charged and then revise the student’s aid (grant eligibility) to reflect the reduction in need.
Less than 1/2 Time
Less than 1/2 time enrollment is defined as taking fewer than 18 units. Tuition is revised based on the reduced tuition paid. As indicated in the Caltech Catalog, the minimum tuition charge is 10 units per term. The books and supplies allowance is reduced to 1/4 for that term. The student's aid is reduced based on the reduced costs. Federal Pell Grant recipients will have their Pell award reduced according to federal regulations. More importantly, the student becomes ineligible for Caltech grant aid for that term; the student will only be eligible for Caltech work study and loan assistance. If the student is enrolled less than half time, the grace period on any student loan (Federal Perkins loan, CIT loan, Institute loan and Federal Stafford loan) will begin. In addition, a student/family is no longer eligible for Federal PLUS or Stafford loans during periods of less than ½ time enrollment.
Effect on Outside Scholarships
In all of the above categories, the Financial Aid Office also checks to see if a student has an outside scholarship that requires continuous full-time enrollment. If a scholarship donor requires full time enrollment, the Financial Aid Office is required to return the scholarship money for that term to the donor. If this occurs, the student is encouraged to contact the donor directly to review and, possibly, appeal the agency’s policy.
Special Note to Seniors
Often, Caltech Seniors only need to complete a few units in order to fulfill graduation requirements, and, as a result, underload in their final term. Seniors should be aware that their cost of attendance and aid during terms when they underload will be adjusted based on their less than full-time enrollment status. For more details on the impact of underloading, seniors are encouraged to check with the Financial Aid Office.
Questions
Students with questions regarding underloads should discuss their individual circumstances with a Financial Aid Counselor. Contact our office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Center for Student Affairs, First Floor, Room 110, extension 6280, with any questions you have.