Full-time equivalent for aid

At the start of the payment period the aid office determines the number of credits (or equivalencies) in which the student is enrolled. The corresponding intensity category is assigned and Pell or other aid is prorated accordingly. If the student later adds or drops courses, intensity and aid amounts may be adjusted. For non-term programs, intensity is often measured by the credits successfully completed in the payment period.

Example: a student in a standard term enrolls in 9 credits and is classified three-quarter-time. The scheduled Pell award for the term is reduced to 75 percent. A student in a direct-assessment program who completes equivalencies equal to 12 credits in the payment period is treated as full-time for that period’s disbursement.

IPEDS FTE converts headcounts for reporting and comparison and does not determine individual aid amounts. Academic full-time status for dean’s list or visa purposes may use the same credit threshold but serves a different function. Enrollment intensity is the broader term that includes the full set of categories.

Using IPEDS FTE methodology to award individual student aid. Failing to adjust aid when a student drops below a threshold after disbursement. Applying undergraduate credit thresholds to graduate students without checking institutional policy.