2.05 - Student Classification

Policy Number - 2.05

Approved: 12/15/2020 | Updated: 10/27/2026

Purpose

To define student classification and credit hour enrollment definitions and limits.

Policy Statement

Students enrolled at the College are classified as freshmen, sophomores, or special students.

• Freshmen - enrolled in or have earned from 0-29 semester hours of college credit from a recognized institutional accreditor of higher learning
• Sophomores - enrolled in or have earned 30 to 59 semester hours from a recognized institutional accreditor of higher learning
• Special students - earned 60 semester hours or more of college credit from a recognized institutional accreditor of higher learning

 

The following designations will apply for students enrolled in full semester courses:

• Overload* – Students enrolled in more than 18 semester credit hours
• Full-time – Students enrolled in 12-18 semester credit hours
• Three-quarter – Students enrolled in 9-11 semester credit hours
• Half-time – Students enrolled in 6-8 semester credit hours
• Less than half-time – Students enrolled in fewer than 6 semester credit hours

Note: For enrollment verification purposes, students enrolled in Health Professions programs may be considered full-time even if not currently enrolled in 12 college credit hours. This does not impact federal financial aid regulations.

 

8-week terms and Summer Session:

• Overload* – Students enrolled in more than 9 semester credit hours
• Full-time – Students enrolled in 6-9 semester credit hours
• Half-time – Students enrolled in 3-5 semester credit hours
• Less than half-time – Students enrolled in fewer than 3 semester credit hours 

 

*Students are not permitted to enroll in more than 18 credit hours during a regular semester, nor in more than 9 hours in the summer or eight-week term, without permission from the appropriate academic dean.