Full-Time vs Part-Time College Students: What’s the Difference?

There are lots of advantages to being a full-time college student. Similarly, there are lots of advantages to being a part-time college student. It all depends on your individual needs and goals. For instance, part-time enrollment is often a great opportunity for working parents or for students with other obligations. Part-time students enjoy more flexible schedules and pay less per year than full-time college students. Full-time college students, however, qualify for more financial aid and are eligible for more scholarships. 

While full-time vs part-time college enrollment may seem straightforward, there is actually a fair amount of nuance involved. So if you have questions like, What does being a part-time student mean? How many classes is a full-time student? Or how many credits is part-time for financial aid?, don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place.

Let’s start with the cost of tuition. Part-time students pay tuition based on how many credits they are enrolled in. This means that, depending on how many classes you decide to enroll in, your tuition could be pretty affordable. Let’s take a look at the actual costs.

According to the Education Data Initiative: 

• The average public, 4-year college charges in-state residents $390 per credit.
• The average public, 4-year college charges out-of-state students $1,126 per credit.
• The average private 4-year college charges $1,365 per credit.
• The average community college charges $141 per credit. 

This means that for part-time students, the cost of taking one 3-credit college class ranges from $423-$4,095. 

Full-time college students, however, pay a fixed semester-based tuition rate. This rate is often based on the cost of 12 credits. That said, full-time college students are often eligible to take up to 18 credits per semester. That means that if you take 13+ credits per semester, you’ll save money in the long run. 

So, in conclusion, paying full-time tuition costs a lot more upfront, but has the potential to save you money in the long term. 

Now what about financial aid? 

While part-time students are certainly eligible for financial aid, they won’t receive as much assistance as full-time students. For example, if a student was offered a $6,000 Pell Grant, but decided to enroll part-time, their award would be reduced. 

It’s also worth noting that part-time students are only eligible for federal financial aid if they are enrolled in at least 6 college credits. Furthermore, if a student drops below 6 credits, even if it’s only for a semester, student loans will immediately go into repayment. Additionally, full-time students may qualify their families for tax breaks. 

There are lots of benefits to being a full-time college student. As you reflect on your own educational goals, consider some of the following benefits listed below.

Full-time college students:

• Complete their degrees faster.
• Have a higher probability of graduating. 
• Are eligible for more scholarships.
• Receive more financial aid.
• May earn their families a tax break.
• Pay less money in the long run.
• Are able to live on campus.
• Enjoy more social and networking opportunities.

Full-time students are often more involved in their schools. They have a greater likelihood of living on campus and enjoy more social opportunities. Students passionate about extracurricular activities, such as sports or music, may even choose to attend colleges where there are ample opportunities for them to commit to these interests. Other students may want to fully immerse themselves in a Liberal Arts Education. For guidance on how to choose your dream college, click here.

Now, maybe being a full-time college student isn’t the right choice for you, regardless of its advantages. So, let’s take a look at the benefits of being a part-time college student. 

Part-time college students:

• Have greater scheduling flexibility.
• Are able to work, either part-time or full-time, and earn money.
• May have employers with tuition reimbursement plans.
• Have the option to pursue internship opportunities.
• Are able to fulfill other obligations, such as childcare.
• Can pay their tuition more easily as they go and avoid taking out loans.
• Are able to work towards establishing in-state residency for public school tuition.

As you can see, there are lots of benefits to enrolling part-time. While students will not earn their degrees as quickly, their flexible schedules allow them to balance other priorities, such as internships, employment opportunities, and family obligations. Part-time students are also able to work towards establishing in-state residency — something they cannot do if they are enrolled full-time. Additionally, many part-time students are even able to avoid taking out student loans, due to the more manageable upfront expenses. 

Overall, due to their flexible schedules, part-time students need to have excellent time management skills. If you struggle with organization and time management, check out our article, Tips on Staying Organized in School.