Services

Enrollment Status and Proof of Enrollment

USF defines full‑time, three-quarter time, half‑time, and less than half-time enrollment strictly by credit hours. Review the information below to understand enrollment status descriptions and request proof of enrollment.

Enrollment Status Definitions
Obtain Your Proof of Enrollment
Common Enrollment Questions
Enrollment Impacts on Financial Aid

Enrollment Status Descriptions

Undergraduate Graduate Graduate (BISK Program)

Full-Time: 12 or more credit hours

Full-Time: 9 or more (fall and spring); 6 or more (summer) credit hours

Dissertation Only: 2 or more credit hours

 Full-Time: 6 or more credit hours
Three Quarter Time: 9-11 credit hours Three Quarter Time: 7-8 (fall and spring); 4-5 (summer) credit hours Three Quarter Time: N/A
Half-Time: 6-8 credit hours Half-time: 5-6 (fall and spring); 3 (summer) credit hours Half-Time: 3-5 credit hours
Less Than Half-Time: 1-5 credit hours* Less Than Half-Time: 1-4 (fall and spring); 1-2 (summer)* Less Than Half-Time: 1-2 credit hours*

*0 credit courses also considered Less Than Half Time

Proof of Enrollment

Proof of enrollment may be necessary for financial aid, internships/jobs, insurance, etc. for currently enrolled students at USF.

Who Should Use Proof of Enrollment?

Timeline:

  • Before Fourth Week of Classes: If you need proof of enrollment during this time, you may request a USF Transcript to show in-progress coursework including future term registration as your proof of enrollment.
  • After Fourth Week of Classes: You will be able to obtain your enrollment certificate by following the instructions outlined below.

How to Obtain Proof of Enrollment - Current Students Only:

  1. Log in to your myUSF account. Under the My Resources section, select Student Self-Service.
  2. Under the Student Record section, select Request Proof of Enrollment.
  3. Select Obtain an Enrollment Certificate to download your proof of enrollment.
  4. You will be taken to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), USF's authorized agent for providing proof of enrollment. The NSC is the only way USF provides basic proof of enrollment.

If you were directed to complete specific verification forms based on your enrollment, please submit them to enrollmentcerts@usf.edu. Based on the type of verification you need, we will provide you with an expected processing time via email.

Loan Deferment Requests

Please note: Deferment requests are available for the current term starting the second week of classes. Please refer to the Important Dates and Deadlines for the applicable dates.

USF utilizes an electronic loan deferment process. The NSC collects enrollment data from USF and disperses it to lending agencies to allow students to defer loans.

If your lender needs a deferment form processed, please email your completed and signed form to enrollmentcerts@usf.edu.

All loan deferment request forms are sent to the NSC for processing. Once the NSC receives the request, lenders are notified of enrollment and the deferment is put into effect as of the start of the semester. If you have any questions about the deferment process, please contact your lender. 

The NSC asks that if a student receives a collection letter from a servicer, the student does the following:

  1. Call the lending agency to see if a deferment form was received between the time the NSC supplied the information and the lending agency sent the collection letter.
  2. If, after calling the servicer, it still appears that the deferment has not been processed, the student may call the NSC at (703) 742-7791 and ask to speak to a Student Service Representative. The representative will verify the date on which the deferment form was received by the NSC, the date the deferment was certified and mailed, the enrollment status that was certified, and where the forms were sent.
  3. If an emergency exists - for example, you are 150 days delinquent and being threatened with default - the NSC will intervene on your behalf by sending another enrollment certification to the servicer. Further, the NSC will work with the servicer to ensure that the form is processed on a high-priority basis.

Common Enrollment Questions 

I was told I am academically full-time. Why does my enrollment status look different?

The most likely reason is timing. The National Student Clearinghouse allows enrollment updates a few times each academic term, with enrollment status measured and reported at key points throughout. Students who add, drop, withdraw, or otherwise change enrollment after a report is submitted will not have the change reflected until 10 business days after the next scheduled reporting date. The Office of the Registrar can help you determine the window when you can expect to see an update, which is then picked up by the National Student Loan Data System for deferment of student loans.

What happens if I drop below full-time?

Dropping below full-time status may affect your financial aid eligibility, student loan deferment status, scholarship eligibility, military-related educational benefits, and eligibility for insurance discounts and coverage. Students considering schedule changes should consult the appropriate USF office before dropping courses.

If I am an international student on an F-1 visa, do these definitions apply to me?

Yes. Students on F-1 visas follow USF's enrollment definitions. Students should also consult with USF World before making enrollment changes.

Do veterans and military-affiliated students follow these same rules?

Students using VA Educational Benefits follow credit thresholds established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There are no exceptions to those thresholds for VA benefits purposes. Students using Military Tuition Assistance (TA) follow USF enrollment definitions.

How are student athletes affected?

Student athletes may qualify for a less-than-full-time exception during their final term when determining eligibility to compete. Students should work directly with Athletics for guidance.

Are there exceptions for graduate programs?

Certain graduate programs have approved structural exceptions and are reported as full-time when enrolled in designated clinical, practicum, internship, field experience, dissertation, or program-specific coursework. These include:

  • Athletic Training, M.S. Four-hour Clinical Experience
  • Audiology, Au.D. Practical Experience
  • Nursing, D.N.P.
  • Psychology, M.A. Pre-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Internship
  • School Psychology, M.A. Practicum
  • Social Work, M.S.W. Field Experience
  • Dissertation-only students enrolled in 2 or more dissertation credit hours

If a student believes they fall into one of these categories, refer them to their academic program for confirmation.

Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for quick answers and helpful information.