Other Types of Enrollment


In special enrollment options, the financial aid process will take longer than usual due to the special nature of the program. Please allow extra time for processing and receiving any funds for which you might be eligible.

  1. Correspondence Study

    Correspondence courses are those courses in which the primary delivery format is print-based; some correspondence courses include a videotape and/or audio supplement. Students in correspondence courses work independently. Regulations for correspondence courses are different for federal and state financial aid.


    1. Semester-Based Correspondence Study have starting and ending dates that are identical to the regular fall, spring, and summer semesters/sessions. Semester-Based Correspondence courses are identified by section number 300. All coursework must be completed within the term. Semester-Based Correspondence Study are considered for federal financial aid, but special rules apply.


    2. Semester-Based Correspondence Study with Regular Coursework: Students enrolled in a combination of semester-based correspondence and regular coursework may be eligible for federal financial aid; however, special rules are used to determine the student's cost of attendance and financial aid eligibility.


    3. Note: A student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours of regular coursework in addition to correspondence courses to be classified higher than half time. Regular coursework includes on-campus and distance education courses (excluding correspondence study and year-based courses). See Enrollment Status Chart below.


    4. Enrollment Status: The following charts are guides for determining enrollment status for Federal Aid (Chart 1) and State Aid (Chart 2). This information pertains to semester-based ISU courses. In some cases, you also may be eligible to receive financial aid for year-based study. Special stipulations apply. For more information, contact your ISU financial aid counselor.
      5. Chart 1: Enrollment Status for Federal Financial Aid
      Regular Courses (On - campus and/or Distance) Correspondence Courses Total Course Load Enrollment Status
      0 6 or more 6 Not eligible until 50% of all course work is done, then Half time status may be granted.
      2 6 6 Half-time
      3 3 6 Half-time
      3 6 6 Half-time
      3 9 6 Half-time
      6 3 9 ¾ - time
      6 6 12 Full-time
      Note: To be classified as higher than half-time, students MUST be enrolled in at least six (6) hours of regular courses in addition to correspondence coursework. You must be enrolled as of the seventh (7th) day per term to receive a Pell Grant.



      Chart 2: Enrollment Status for State (Indiana) Financial Aid
      Regular Courses (On- campus and/or Distance Correspondence Courses Total Course Load Enrollment Status
      12 0 12 Full-time
      Note: To be eligible, You MUST be enrolled in at least 12 hours of Regular courses as of the 28th day per term.

    5. Students enrolled solely in semester-based correspondence courses are:


      • Never considered to be more than half-time students - even if their total hours are enough to normally be considered full-time. (See chart above).


      • Not eligible to be considered for Federal financial assistance until at least 50% of all the coursework is completed.


      • Limited in what expenses can be considered in determining the cost of attendance. Only tuition and fee, books and supplies costs are counted in the determination of aid eligibility.


      • Paying their tuition and fees in full.


      • Contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid, after completing the required percentage of coursework.

    6. Students must enroll and complete the semester-based correspondence course(s) within the same semester. Failure to satisfactorily complete the course by the end of the term may result in failing your Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.


    7. Students desiring financial aid for correspondence study courses should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for information.

  2. Distance Education


    3. Distance education courses are those courses in which the primary delivery modality is the Internet, videotapes, or television. Regulations for federal and state financial aid are different for distance education

    1. Semester-Based Distance Courses (web, DVD, televised)
      have starting and ending dates that are identical to the regular fall, spring, and summer semesters/sessions. All coursework must be completed within the term and are considered for federal financial aid, but special rules apply.


    2. Year-Based Courses (print-based or web-based)
      have an open start date with up to 12 months from the enrollment date for students to complete the coursework. Year-Based Courses are identified by section number 620. These courses may count towards hours of registration for aid purposes if they are part of your degree pursuit. You should contact your financial aid counselor before registering for these courses.


    3. Year-Based courses are not eligible for State aid.


    4. Special stipulations apply for Federal financial aid. Initial disbursement of aid for these hours is possible only after 25% of the required coursework is completed.


    5. Second disbursements may only be made after confirming that 75% of the required coursework has been finished.


    6. You should also contact your financial aid counselor after completing your coursework.

  3. Internship, Research Courses, and Co-op Work Assignments

    Students enrolling in these classes may have aid eligibility calculated on their actual official recognized registration hours. They are not eligible for federal financial aid, including Stafford or Parent Loans, based on the "full-time equivalent" status assigned by the academic department. Cost of Attendance (COA) figures are based on the actual fees assessed for the classes and the number of credits in which the student is enrolled. Other COA elements are assigned according to the category in which a student belongs (in-state or non-resident, housing arrangements, etc.). Half-time enrollment is required for loan programs. Pell grant awards may be available for less than half time enrollment, if otherwise eligible. Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time in graduate courses in order to have aid eligibility determined at the graduate level. All students must be accepted into a degree-seeking program.


  4. Extension Courses

    An ISU student participating in extension courses (through the Credit Outreach program) may be eligible for assistance if enrolled half-time and admitted to a degree program. Usually enrollment can be confirmed by the computer system. Half-time enrollment is required for all aid. Pell Grant awards may be available for less-than-half-time enrollment if otherwise eligible. If the course does not appear on the computer system, the student will be asked to provide documentation of enrollment. The statement must include the semester of enrollment, the number of credit hours, and in which program the student is participating. Students must be accepted into a degree-seeking program.


  5. Study Abroad Program

    Applying for financial aid to help defray the cost of a Study Abroad Program begins at the
    Study Abroad Office. Students should contact the Coordinator for Study Abroad Programs in Stalker Hall 215, College of Arts and Sciences or call the office at 1-812-237-3427. A Study Abroad Worksheet is completed and forwarded to the Office of Student Financial Aid. We will review the form and make any necessary adjustment to the student's Cost of Attendance and financial aid awards. A new Financial Aid Notification is sent to the student if awards are changed.

    Information necessary to determine your eligibility for financial aid consists of:


    1. Course numbers and course title for all courses


    2. Number of credit hours for each course


    3. Beginning and ending dates for all the study abroad courses


    4. Expenses associated with tuition, fees, travel, books, and/or supplies

  6. Incarcerated Students

    Students incarcerated in federal or state prisons are not eligible for any Title IV assistance. However, they may be eligible for the Higher Education Award portion of the Frank O'Bannon Grant Program. Timely completion and submission of a FAFSA to the federal government is required of the student.


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