financial aid for almost full time?

Ulysses Failey: Congrats on going back to school! You can receive financial aid for going to school 3/4 time (9-11 credit hours). When you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid - www.fafsa.ed.gov), and EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will be generated. Schools use the EFC in conjunction with the COA (Cost of Attendance) to determine your financial aid package.While financial aid is usually awarded assuming a student is going full time, some of the aid can be used going less than full time. Depending on your EFC and if you are awarded a Pell Grant, that is one such award where it doesn't matter if you are going full time or not (except for the following: EFC's of 3300 to 3900 you cannot get Pell for less than half time; 3901 - 4000 you cannot get it for less than 3/4 time; and EFC's of 4001 to 4110 you cannot get it for going less than full time).If you are awarded any institutional scholarships, most will require you to be attending 3/4 to fu! ll time. You would have to check with your financial aid officer for information regarding those.Stafford loans you have to be going at least 1/2 time to get your loan. And that could be used toward your tuition as well as your living costs.Outside scholarships you would just have to check the information of the scholarship itself to see.You should talk to a financial aid officer at your school for more information/guidance for your situation. Good luck!...Show more

Hilma Pestano: All aid is based on the cost of the school and the hours you are enrolled. I *think* that living expenses are only considered for a full-time student.You should talk with financial aid at the school and get the complete scoop before trying to make any decisions.

Abraham Ladick: 4 classes is what you need to be a full time student. You can still be a mom and go to school full time. You can split up the classes and have two everyday or whatever. Not bad. Taking a full load, 12hrs. wi! ll allow you to be eligible for Pell and other grants, get som! e information from financial about scholarships and loans. Loans are going to be very helpful in taking care of your other expenses.