Definition of Full-Time Status for Undergraduate Students

Purpose and Goals

This policy is designed to provide a definition of “full-time” status for undergraduate students in terms of academic workload, ensuring its use is uniform, consistent, and appropriate for all applicable purposes, and that it is equitable, to the greatest possible extent, for all students. 

Applicability

This policy is applicable to students registered in undergraduate degree programs offered by the University.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to:

1. Government student loans programs,
2. University-based financial need programs,
3. Student awards, and
4. Students registered in graduate degree programs. 

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy and in all other policies in which they are not otherwise defined:

• Program of study shall mean an undergraduate degree program, including its declared specializations (e.g., honours, major, and minor programs, or any combinations thereof).
• Winter Session shall mean the period of study that begins in September and ends in April.

Policy

1. A standard program of study is defined as 30 credits in a Winter Session.
2. For all calculations of undergraduate full-time equivalent enrolment, 30 credits should be used.
3. Unless otherwise defined, any student who is taking at least 9 credits in a Winter Session term shall be considered as a full-time student in that term.

A link to Senate Policy J-137 can be found here.