Semester is an academic term that typically lasts 15 to 16 weeks and is one of two main terms in a traditional academic year.
How it works
The institution publishes start and end dates for each semester. Students register for a set number of credits. Aid is disbursed at or near the beginning of the semester for students who meet enrollment and eligibility requirements. Credit hours earned are recorded at the end of the term. A student who completes 15 credits in fall and 15 in spring accumulates 30 semester credits for the academic year.
Example: an online bachelor’s program runs on a semester calendar. Fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December. A student enrolls in four 3-credit courses (12 credits) and is full-time. The second half of the annual Pell Grant and Direct Loan is disbursed at the start of the spring semester.
How it differs
A quarter is shorter (typically 10–12 weeks) and an academic year contains three quarters plus an optional summer. A trimester system divides the year into three roughly equal terms. Nonstandard terms or modules inside a semester do not change the underlying semester calendar for most aid calculations if the program is otherwise standard-term.
Common errors
Assuming every online program uses semesters. Treating a pair of 8-week modules as two separate payment periods when the institution has defined the semester as the payment period. Confusing semester credits with quarter credits when evaluating transfer credit.
References
- 1. IPEDS calendar system definitionsSemester as standard term
- 2. Federal Student Aid academic year and payment periodsSemester as payment period
Semester is an academic term that typically lasts 15 to 16 weeks and is one of two main terms in a traditional academic year.