Definition of Full Time Status for VA Benefits

APUS offers courses in an 8 week and 16 week format. Courses start each month at APUS. All VA enrollments are based on a student’s monthly enrollment status. Overlapping course starts may result in differing enrollment statuses than those below.

Course Load and Student Status for VA Benefits

Student status for VA Benefits is based on monthly course load. The chart below applies to VA Benefit requirements for full, three quarter, or half-time benefit levels.

Session of Courses	Monthly Course Load	Student Status	Rate of Pursuit^1,2
Master's Level: 8-Week Courses	4+ Credit hours	Full-time	1.00
Master's Level: 8-Week Courses	3 Credit hours	Three-quarter time	.75

Master's Level: 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

BAH is only payable for a rate of pursuit greater than .50.
Rate of Pursuit is calculated by Department of Veterans Affairs. This calculation is determined by training level, credits taken in a term, and length of term. APUS does not calculate the Rate of Pursuit.

Please note: The above chart does not apply to Federal Student Aid (FSA). If you are applying for Federal Student Aid, there are different standards by which enrollment is measured. Please refer to the Enrollment Status & Enrollment Intensity Definitions for FSA for definitions and standards for FSA measurements.