Best Part-Time Student Loans: Guide to Financing When You’re Enrolled Less Than Full Time

Part-time college enrollment offers a flexible path to a degree for people who work full-time, take care of family, or need a lighter course load for other reasons. If you need help paying for school, part time student loans can help you cover tuition, fees, books, and other education expenses.

Below, we break down the best student loans for part-time students, including each lender’s enrollment requirements, so you can find the right fit for your situation.

Table of Contents

1. What is considered a part-time student?
   1. What is half-time enrollment in college?
2. Does FAFSA cover part time students?
   1. Federal financial aid options
   2. How much does FAFSA give for part time students?
3. The best part-time private student loans
   1. College Ave
   2. Sallie Mae
   3. Earnest
   4. SoFi
   5. ELFI
4. Are there student loans for less than half time enrollment?
5. How to apply for part-time student loans
6. What other funding options do part-time students have?

What is considered a part-time student?

Full-time enrollment is typically considered to be 12 credit hours per semester for undergrads, which is the equivalent of three to four classes. You’re generally considered a part-time student if you take fewer than 12 credits per semester.

Grad students and online students might have different criteria for part-time status. For example, you may be considered part-time if you take fewer than nine credit hours per semester in a graduate program.

Check with your school to see what qualifies as part-time based on the type of degree program you’re enrolled in. In addition to part-time student loans, you may still be eligible for government grants, even when taking as few as three credit hours.

What is half-time enrollment in college?

Half-time enrollment means you’re enrolled in half of the expected full-time course load, according to the Department of Education. So, if your school requires 12 credit hours to be considered full-time status and you’re only enrolled in six credit hours, you’d be classified as a half-time student.

What is the difference between half-time and full-time enrollment?

• Part-time students attend less than full-time but they may be enrolled more than half-time.
• Half-time students take exactly half the credit hours required for full-time students.

Can you get student loans if you’re only attending school half-time?

• Both half-time and part-time students can qualify for student loans and other financial aid, but less than half-time students may have fewer loan options.

Again, you can check with your school’s advisor to clarify whether you’re a part-time or half-time student, based on the number of credits you’re taking.

Does FAFSA cover part time students?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the document students must complete to establish eligibility for federal aid, including:

• Federal student loans
• Grants
• Work-study funding

Can you get financial aid from the government for part-time enrollment? Yes. To do so, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA and submit it via StudentAid.gov.

Even if you don’t plan to apply for federal student loans, your school may require the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for scholarships and other school-specific types of aid. State-sponsored scholarships and grants may also require the FAFSA for consideration.

As a rule, all college students should complete the FAFSA when deciding how you will finance your college education.

Federal financial aid options for part-time students

Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates, income-driven repayment options, and an opportunity for eligible borrowers to seek loan forgiveness. You’ll need to be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school to qualify for a part-time student loan from the federal government.

The Department of Education offers several aid options for part-time and half-time students, as shown below:

Aid	Who qualifies?	Max. annual funds
Direct Subsidized Loans	Undergrad with financial need	$5,500 – $12,500*
Direct Unsubsidized Loans	Undergrad, grad, prof.; no financial need required	$5,500 – $12,500 undergrad* $20,500 grad and prof. students
Direct PLUS Loans	Grad, prof., or parents; no financial need required	Cost of attendance minus other financial aid
Pell Grants	Undergrad with financial need	$6,895
TEACH Grants	Undergrad, post-bacc, and grad	$4,000
Federal Supp. Educational Opportunity (ESOG) Grants	Undergrad with financial need enrolled in eligible schools	$4,000
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants	Eligible students who don’t qualify for Pell Grants	$7,395
Federal work-study	Undergrad, grad with financial need	Varies

Here’s how they compare.

• Federal student loans must be repaid, with interest. Repayment terms range from 10 to 25 years, if you qualify for income-driven repayment.
• Pell Grants and other federal grants don’t require repayment, though some may have a work commitment. TEACH Grant recipients, for example, must agree to work full-time for four years in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students and teach in a high-need field. 
• Work-study programs allow you to take on-campus jobs to help pay for your education. Jobs are part-time and work-study aid is typically first-come, first-served.

How much does FAFSA give for part time students?

Federal student aid is calculated based on your cost of attendance (COA). If you’re attending at least half-time, your COA includes:

• Tuition and fees
• Food, housing, and transportation
• Books and supplies
• Disability-related costs, if applicable
• Child care-related costs, if applicable
• Study-abroad costs, if applicable

Based on information you include in the FAFSA, your school determines your Student Aid Index (SAI). This number represents how much aid you would receive if you attended the school. The difference between your COA and SAI is your financial need.

Here’s an example of how much financial aid you could get if enrolled at least half time. We’ll assume there are four people in your household, with a combined income of $75,000 and $70,000 in savings.

Using the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool, you would be eligible for $11,066 in aid, including:

• $2,585 in Pell Grant funding
• $6,500 in Direct Student Loans
• $1,981 in work-study funds

Of course, this is just an example, and you would need to complete the FAFSA to find out just how much aid you can get as a part-time or half-time student.

Overall, federal funding is based on your enrollment status, so if you’re attending half-time or part-time, you may end up with a smaller aid package. Private student loans, however, could help make up the difference.

The best part-time private student loans

If you don’t qualify for enough federal financial aid to pay for your part-time schooling, private student loans can fill the gap. Private loans may allow you to borrow more, but they lack federal loan protections.

Some private lenders have minimum enrollment requirements, which may exclude some part-time or half-time students from qualifying for funding.

We’ve researched the best lenders that accept students who are enrolled less than full time. Here are our picks for the best part-time student loan options.

College Ave

Best Overall

5.0 _/5

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Enrollment requirement: None

College Ave is one of the few lenders that offers student loans to part-time students, even if you’re enrolled less than half-time. Whether you’re taking just a few courses or working toward a degree at your own pace, College Ave provides flexible repayment terms and allows you to borrow up to 100% of your school-certified costs.

With no prepayment penalties and a quick three-minute application process, College Ave makes it easy for part-time students to secure funding without the usual enrollment restrictions.

💡 Why part-time students like it:

• No minimum enrollment required
• Flexible repayment options
• Fast application process

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.22% – 17.99%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 8, 10, or 15 years

Sallie Mae

Best for Cosigners

4.8 _/5

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Enrollment requirement: Half time

Sallie Mae is one of the most part-time-friendly lenders, offering loans to students attending school less than half-time, including those taking just one or two classes per semester. This makes it a solid choice for students balancing school with work or personal commitments.

A major benefit is cosigner release after just 12 months of on-time payments, one of the shortest timelines available. Sallie Mae also covers study abroad, online courses, and summer classes, making it a versatile choice for part-time students.

💡 Why part-time students like it:

• No half-time enrollment requirement
• Flexible loan amounts
• Cosigner release in just one year

Loan terms

Rates (APR)	4.15% – 15.70%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years

Earnest

Best for Large Loans

4.7 _/5

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Enrollment requirement: Half time

If you’re enrolled at least half-time and need a larger loan amount, Earnest is a strong option. You can borrow up to your full cost of attendance, and the lender offers no fees, no late payment penalties, and the ability to skip one payment per year if needed.

Earnest’s loans are well-suited for graduate or professional students attending part-time, especially those in programs with higher tuition costs. However, you (or your cosigner) will need strong credit and income to qualify.

💡 Why part-time students like it:

• High borrowing limits,
• flexible repayment
• No hidden fees

Loan details

Rates (APR)	4.17% – 16.85%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	10 – 15 years

SoFi

Best for Member Benefits

4.7 _/5

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Enrollment requirement: half time

SoFi^® offers more than just student loans—it provides networking events and financial planning tools that can be especially useful for part-time students juggling work and school.

SoFi loans come with no fees, and borrowers can defer payments while in school. If you’re attending at least half-time and want additional financial perks beyond your loan, SoFi could be an excellent fit.

💡 Why part-time students like it:

• Access to networking and financial planning tools
• Competitive rates

Loan details

Fixed Rates (APR)	4.19% – 14.83% w/ autopay
Variable Rates (APR)	5.74% – 15.86% w/ autopay
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5, 7, 10, or 15 years

ELFI

Best Student Loan Advisors

4.5 _/5

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Enrollment requirement: Half time

ELFI stands out for its personalized customer service, assigning each borrower a dedicated loan advisor to guide them through the application and repayment process.

If you’re a part-time student looking for one-on-one support while securing funding, ELFI’s hands-on approach can help. It also offers flexible repayment terms up to 15 years and no origination or prepayment fees.

💡 Why part-time students like it:

• Personalized loan support
• Flexible repayment terms
• No fees

Loan details

Rates (APR)	3.98% – 14.22%
Loan amounts	$1,000 – 100% of certified costs
Repayment terms	5 – 15 years

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My recommendation for part-time students can depend on why you’re a part-time student.

• Is it due to caring for your children during the hours you aren’t in school? If so, making payments on your loan while going to school may not be an option yet.
• If you’re working part-time, consider building a line item into your budget to make payments while attending school.

Of course, many options and scenarios exist in between the two examples above, so it truly depends on the individual’s circumstances. I also don’t recommend borrowing more than you need, which can lead to unnecessary overspending and, of course, more debt.

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Are there student loans for less than half time enrollment?

Half-time enrollment is required for federal student loans, but private loans could still help you pay for school. Some, though not all, private lenders offer loans to students who only take a few credit hours per semester. Eligibility may be based on your:

• Hours of enrollment
• Degree program
• Credit scores
• Income
• Career plans

A cosigner could make it easier to get private student loans as a part-time or half-time student. If they have good or excellent credit, that can strengthen your application and potentially help you lock in a lower rate.

How to apply for part-time student loans

Applying for student loans as a part-time student isn’t any different from applying as a full-time student. You’ll need to complete the FAFSA for federal aid; private lenders have their own loan applications.

Here are some general guidelines for applying for part-time student loans.

• Determine your status. If you’re unsure whether you’re half-time or part-time, ask your school. They should be able to tell you your status if you’ve already enrolled in classes, or know how many credits you plan to take.
• Obtain your school code. The FAFSA requires a school code, which is a number that identifies the school(s) you plan to apply to. Private lenders may also require this information.
• Sign up for a FAFSA ID. You’ll need this to complete the student section of the FAFSA. You can get your ID through StudentAid.gov.
• Estimate your need. Before applying for federal or private loans for part-time students, add up what you’ll need to pay for school. This step can help prevent you from taking on more loans than you need.

You may also want to check your credit if you plan to apply for private student loans for part-time enrollment. That can give you an idea of whether it would make sense to have a co-signer apply with you.

What other funding options do part-time students have?

Federal and private student loans are not the only way to pay for a part-time degree. Here are some other possibilities you might consider to help you reach your education goals.

• Scholarships. Scholarships can provide you with money to pay for school, based on need or merit. Read our ultimate guide to college scholarships.
• Assistantships and internships. Assistantships and internships combine work experience with funding for school. This type of aid may be available if you’re pursuing a Ph.D or another type of graduate degree.
• Grants. Grants can pay for school, with no repayment required. Learn more about grants for college and how to find them.
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement. If you’re already working, your employer may offer tuition assistance or loan reimbursement as an employee benefit. Talk to your benefits coordinator about what may be available.

You could also use personal loans or even a credit card to cover college costs. However, consider the interest rate you’ll pay and the monthly repayment terms to decide if it’s worth it.

Part-time student loans let you set the pace for earning a degree

Part-time student loans can help you advance your goals. Whether you opt for federal loans, private loans, or other types of aid, cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to obtaining a degree. Find out more about financial aid eligibility and who qualifies.

How we rated the best part-time student loans

LendEDU evaluates student loan lenders to help readers find the best student loans. Our latest analysis reviewed 725 data points from 25 lenders and financial institutions, with 29 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.

These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.