Course Load & Credits for Graduation
- How many credits are needed for graduation?
128 credits
- What′s a typical load for a first-year student?
16 – 19 credits. First-year students may take up to four 4-credit courses and up to three additional credits (e.g., applied music instruction) each semester of the first year. In determining the number of credits to take, students should also consider the number of hours they′ll be employed (if any) during a semester.
- What′s the minimum load to be considered full-time?
To be considered a full-time student and to be eligible to live in the residence halls, a student must be enrolled in 12 credits. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however; check with the Registrar if there is a question.
- In what other instances does it matter if a student is considered full-time?
In some cases, full-time status is necessary for a student to remain on a parent′s health or auto insurance. Full-time status also affects a student′s ability to receive financial aid, to play varsity sports, and to pledge a fraternity or a sorority.
- How is financial aid affected?
In order to receive Rhodes funded scholarships or grants, the student must be enrolled for 12 credits or more THROUGH THE DROP/ADD PERIOD each semester. After the drop/add period has ended, if a student withdraws from a course, the aid for that semester is not affected. However, the student receiving financial aid should be making normal academic progress; i.e., a first-year student must earn at least 28 credits in order to receive aid as a second-year student; AP credit does NOT factor into earned credit. (See the Financial Aid section of the Catalogue for more information.)
* Students who have TELS awards may find their scholarship affected by withdrawal from class. See next question for more information.
- How is a full-time student′s status affected if the student withdraws from a class or classes during the semester?
As long as the student WAS ENROLLED in at least 12 credits at the beginning of the 4th week of the semester, the College considers that student to be full-time regardless of whether the student′s course load falls below 12 credits because of withdrawals. TWO IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS EXIST: Students participating in varsity athletics must be enrolled in at least 12 credits for the duration of the semester. Additionally, students who receive the Hope scholarships must remain enrolled in at least 12 credits for the duration of the semester or risk loss of the scholarship. An appeals process is available, and students with a TELS award should consult with the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
- What constitutes an overload and an underload?
An overload is 20 or more credits. An underload is less than 12 credits and is considered part-time. Both an underload and an overload require the student to file a petition with the Registrar BEFORE the student goes through enrollment clearance. First-year students are not permitted to take an overload during their first year of attendance. Additionally, it is not advisable for a first-year student to request an underload. (Students will be charged an additional fee for every credit over 19 for which they are enrolled.)
