Understanding Max Time Frame and Max Credits
Federal financial aid comes with limits on how long you can take to finish your degree, so it’s important to understand your maximum time frame. Whether you’re an undergraduate working within a credit limit or a graduate student completing your program within a set number of years, staying on track helps you protect your aid eligibility. This page explains how max credits and program timelines work, what happens if you reach the limit and the steps you can take to request a review or extension so you can keep moving toward graduation.
Undergraduate Max Time Frame
Undergraduates must complete their degrees within 150 percent of the average length of their program. A student pursuing an associate’s degree that is 60 credits long would need to complete the degree within 90 attempted credits. Similarly, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree requiring completion of 120 credits must meet the degree requirements within 180 attempted credits.
Once an undergraduate reaches a threshold equal to or slightly above the length of their degree program they will receive notice from Student Financial Services that their aid eligibility is on hold until they submit a degree plan as part of a max credit review (Max Credit Review to Extend Federal Financial Aid Eligibility form). The plan will then be reviewed to determine whether the student can complete their degree within the required timeframe.
Undergraduate Max Time Frame Policy Details
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Degree plans included with the max credit review form must detail the minimum coursework required for completion of the degree in the fewest course attempts. Students can only receive aid for courses required for their program, which in most cases would include an "option" but not include a minor.
At the point in time that an undergraduate can no longer complete the degree within the required timeframe they are ineligible for federal aid even if they have not reached the limit.
If a student only has one remaining course that is less than six credits they will not be eligible for student loans for that semester so students should plan accordingly.
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Undergraduates who are enrolled in dual degrees or dual majors must complete the requirements for one of the degrees in the required timeframe. Once the requirements for one bachelor’s degree have been met the student will be treated as a post-baccalaureate student for aid purposes regardless of whether they formally apply for the degree.
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Students who submit a degree plan and have their eligibility reinstated are expected to adhere to the stated program. If the student does not pass all the classes or does not complete within the detailed timeline because they enroll in additional courses not in the plan, they may have to resubmit a revised plan and may not receive approval under the revised plan.
Graduate Max Time Frame
The maximum time frame for graduate students is measured in time rather than attempted credits. Students pursuing a master’s degree must complete their degree within five years. Doctoral students must complete their degrees within seven years.
If a graduate student exceeds the time frame, they must request an extension that needs to be approved by their advisor and the Graduate Office. The student's eligibility will then be extended through the timeframe approved by the Graduate Office. Until that happens, no federal aid will be disbursed.