Should I Attend College Full-Time

Answer 1

Many undergraduate students choose to attend college on a full-time basis. Although it can be a challenge, many college students find it very beneficial to go to school full-time. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of being a full-time undergraduate college student.

What are the benefits of attending school full-time?

If you attend school full-time (instead of part-time) you can graduate from college sooner and begin a new career. In addition, it can be wise to attend college full-time as an undergraduate student, especially if you have plans to attend graduate school, law school, or medical school in the future. Lastly, most full-time undergraduate students spend more time on their college campus than part-time students do, which allows them to fully enjoy the social benefits of college life, and network with others.

What are the disadvantages of attending school full-time?

If you attend college full-time, it will definitely cost you more money. You will pay nearly twice the amount for tuition and other college related expenses if you are a full-time student. That is why some students only attend college on a part-time basis because it is cheaper. Also, it can be a challenge being a full-time student and juggling other responsibilities, such as work and family obligations. If you have a very busy schedule, with important commitments, then it might not be in your best interest to attend college full-time. In addition, if you are a full-time student, keep in mind that you will need to spend more time studying for your classes because you will have more exams, projects, and other class assignments to complete for your classes.

How many classes are required for full-time status?

Generally speaking, you must enroll in at least twelve credit hours (3 to 4 classes) each semester, in order to be considered a full-time undergraduate student. However, you should confirm this information with your school because some colleges operate on a different system. For instance, some colleges operate on a term/quarter system instead of a semester system, so the academic requirements might slightly vary. Nevertheless, most public and accredited colleges in the U.S. utilize a semester system, which states that anything below twelve credit hours a semester is part-time.

Does going to school full-time affect my financial aid status?

Yes, if you attend college as a full-time student, you should qualify for more federal financial aid simply because your cost of attendance is higher as a college student. However, you must meet other requirements in order to qualify for financial aid, such as income guidelines, and academic requirements while you are enrolled in college. For instance you must maintain a certain grade point average and successfully complete a certain amount of hours each academic year, in order to continue to receive financial aid.

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of attending college full-time. If you have the time and money and you can handle the coursework, then by all means you should consider becoming a full-time college student. It may very well be worth your time and effort.