VA Educational Benefits Definition of Full-Time Status

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses the following guidelines to determine full-time student status for students who use VA benefits to pay for school. The VA determines student status on a monthly basis.

Please note: This chart does not apply to Federal Student Aid (FSA). If you are applying for FSA, there is a different enrollment status standard for determining aid eligibility. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Session of Courses	Monthly Course Load	Student Status	Rate of Pursuit^1,2
Course Load and Student Status for VA Benefits
Graduate: 8-week courses	4 + Credit hours	Ful- time	1.00
	3 Credit Hours	Three-quarter time	.75

Graduate: 16-week courses	9 + Credit hours	Full-time	1.00
	6 Credit hours	Three-quarter time	.75
	3 Credit hours	Half-time	.38

Undergraduate: 8-week courses	6 + Credit hours	Full-time	1.00
	5 Credit hours	Three-Quarter time	.83
	4 Credit hours	Three-Quarter time	.67
	3 Credit hours	Half-time	.56
	2 Credit hours	Less than Half-time	.38

Undergraduate: 16-week courses	12 + Credit hours	Full-time	1.00
	9 Credit hours	Three-Quarter time	.75
	6 Credit hours	Half-time	.50
	4 Credit hours	Less than Half-time	.33
	3 Credit hours	Less than Half-time	.25
1. BAH is only payable for a rate of pursuit greater than .50. 2. The Rate of Pursuit is calculated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This calculation is determined by training level, credits taken in a term, and length of the term. APUS does not calculate the Rate of Pursuit.

Please contact your admissions coach during our regular business hours if you have additional questions about your student status.