Regular student is a person who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institution for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential.
How it works
The admissions office admits the student into a degree or certificate program. The registrar codes the student as degree-seeking (regular). The aid office confirms the code before packaging. If a student later switches to non-degree status, aid eligibility ends. Conversely, a non-degree student who is later admitted to a program becomes a regular student and may then receive aid.
Example: a student admitted to an online associate-degree program is a regular student and receives a Pell Grant. A second person taking two courses for personal enrichment is coded non-degree, is not a regular student, and cannot receive Title IV aid for those courses.
How it differs
Non-degree-seeking student is the contrasting status. Matriculation is the process that typically creates regular-student status. First-time student is a subset of regular students. Ability-to-benefit students become regular students once they meet the alternative criteria and are admitted to a program.
Common errors
Awarding aid to non-degree or audit students. Assuming every person registered for credit is a regular student. Changing a student to non-degree status without stopping aid.
References
- 1. 34 CFR 600.2 regular studentDefinition
- 2. Federal Student Aid regular-student requirementAid eligibility implication
Regular student is a person who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institution for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential.