Full-Time Equivalency

The University defines full-time course work as enrollment in a minimum of 12 units in one semester. Half-time status is defined as enrollment in a minimum of 6 units in one semester.

MCC Graduate students may be certified as having full-time or half-time equivalency for an academic term under several conditions that are explained below under Eligibility for Equivalency.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Equivalency is used to help students retain full time status for loan and/or visa purposes. Full-time equivalency does not make a student eligible for scholarships that require full time enrollment. Thus, students awarded a Steinhardt scholarship, and are required to maintain full time status, should review the “pro-rating” scholarships page of the handbook, for more information.

Students who receive equivalency may still be eligible to receive loans, however please note that loan amounts are based on total units enrolled, not equivalency. Please consult the Office of Financial Aid at 212-998-4444 for more information.

Eligibility for Equivalency

MCC students who would like to receive Full Time Equivalency must

  • Be enrolling in less than 12 credits (international students), or 6 credits (domestic students)

  • Be in their final 1-2 semesters of the program

  • Be enrolled in an approved culminating project

Students may request full-time or half-time equivalency under any of the following circumstances:

  • A student who is working full time on the thesis and is registered for Master's Thesis (Eligibility- Fall and Spring semester)

  • A student registered in Professional Writing or Theoretical Synthesis (Eligibility- Fall semester ONLY. International students who will be enrolled in less than 12 credits for Spring should apply for Part-Time Enrollment through OGS.)

How to Apply for Equivalency

  • Applications are due two weeks before the first day of classes in the semester for which equivalency is requested.

  • Read the Eligibility for Equivalency section above.

  • Discuss your academic plan with your advisor.

  • Register for your classes. Students must be registered before equivalency can be posted on their record.

  • Update your expected graduation date on Albert.

  • Make sure your anticipated credits on Albert reflect the actual amount of credits you plan to take for the semester.

    • Failure to complete this step may cause an over disbursement of your loans. If you are awarded too much loan money the computer will eventually catch the mistake and ask you to pay back the difference immediately.

    • MCC will not be held liable for any loans returned to the lender as a result of late processing of the equivalency application; students are fully responsible for investigating the terms, conditions and deadlines related to their loans.

  • If you need to pro-rate your scholarship, review the relevant information for eligibility criteria and instructions.

  • Complete the online Full-time/Half-time Equivalency form (also linked on the right).

  • Submit your completed Full Time Equivalency form to your advisor once your schedule is finalized before the drop/add deadline.

Full-_Half-Time_Equivalency_2016.pdf

Important Notes

  • Domestic students enrolled in at least 6 credits do not need to complete a Full-Time Equivalency form

  • Domestic students who receive loans, and are enrolled in Professional Writing or Theoretical Synthesis during the fall semester, must save at least 6 credits for the subsequent spring term.

    • Because you do not qualify for Spring FTE, if you enroll in less than 6 Spring credits you will lose your loan eligibility. Please speak to an advisor if you need more clarification around this policy.

  • International students who are taking Professional Writing or Theoretical Synthesis should apply for FTE in the fall semester and then receive OGS approval for part-time enrollment in the spring semester. The online form is available on the OGS website. Information about pre-completion and post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students is available here.

If you have questions about this process, please contact your primary academic advisor.