13-credit FAQ
Why was a 13-credit minimum policy implemented?
Students who graduate in four or five years profit in many ways including a more fundamentally sound education; being more competitive for jobs, professional schools, and graduate schools; and earlier participation in the economic benefits (wages and fringe benefits) associated with a baccalaureate degree. The University benefits when students graduate in a timely manner because it can educate more students with the same resources or use the resources to improve services.
Why is it a 13-credit policy? Why not a 15-credit minimum policy?
For most degrees, a student needs to average 15 credits a term to graduate in four years. Many students may take 16 or 17 credits one term and 14 or 13 credits the next term. The 13-credit policy is meant to encourage students to graduate in four years, but recognizes that not all students who graduate in four years take 15 credits every term.
Should I take more than 13 credits?
Yes. Students need to average 15 to 16 credits a semester to graduate
in four years. If you have significant credits from PSEO, AP, or IB when
you first enroll, you may be able to graduate even sooner.
With this policy, you save money by taking more than 13 credits each
semester. Every semester, every credit over 13 is free. In tuition alone, the cost savings of graduating in four years rather than five is around $8000. In addition to this benefit, students taking 13 or more credits
receive priority in the registration queue for the subsequent semester.
It is difficult for me to take 13 credits. Can I get an exemption from the 13-credit policy?
The University will continue to welcome degree-seeking students whose life situations clearly do not allow them to be full-time students. For example, adult students with full-time employment or child-care responsibilities will often need to be part-time students. These students will be able to petition for reduced credit load and work on their degrees at a pace suited to their life situations. The deadline to file for a reduced credit load is the end of the fourth week of the semester.
Working 15 or 20 hours a week is not by itself sufficient reason to be approved for reduced credit load, but work may be part of a whole picture of students' life circumstances that will be taken into consideration in reviewing requests for reduced credit load.
Graduating seniors may only need to take 10 or 12 credits a term in their senior year to graduate. These students should file a Request for Reduced Credit Load.
Students who have a disability for which Disability Services has determined that a reduced credit load is an appropriate accommodation will be approved for reduced credit load upon completion of necessary documents with Disability Services.
Students with an illness or incapacity of short-term duration (with appropriate medical documentation), or other short-term personal hardship may file a request for temporary reduced credit load through their college.
Students seeking to pursue a unique academic opportunity that precludes full-time status may also seek a temporary reduced credit load through their college.
Click here if you wish to submit a request for a reduced credit load.
What is the deadline to file for a reduced credit load?
The deadline is the end of the fourth week of the semester for which you are applying for the reduced credit load.
How does being approved for a reduced credit load affect my time in the registration queue for next semester?
Only students who have a temporary exemption for a reduced credit load are in the earlier stage of the registration queue for their academic level. Students who have a permanent exemption and any other student taking less than 13 credits will be in the later stage of the registration queue.
How does the 13-credit policy apply to Wisconsin reciprocity students?
I am an undergraduate international student and I want to request a reduced credit load. What do I do?
International students on F-1 and J-1 student visas who are registering for 12 or fewer credits need to complete the Request for Reduced Credit Load. Any international student seeking to register for fewer than 12 credits must also submit an International Student and Scholar Services Reduced Course Load Form to satisfy the 12-credit immigration service credit requirement. This form is available at 190 Humphrey Center or at http://www.isss.umn.edu.
What about financial aid? Do I need to take 13 credits to receive financial aid?
Different types of financial aid have different requirements. Students must take at least 15 credits per semester to be eligible for the maximum state grant. Students receiving merit scholarships from the University are expected to complete 30 credits each year, an average of 15 credits per semester. Students must register for at least 12 credits to be eligible for the maximum federal financial aid.
What if I cannot take 13 credits because I cannot get into a class I need to graduate?
Students who are having problems getting into classes should first contact the department of instruction to see if additional sections may be offered. They should also work with their college advisor. Colleges will do everything possible to identify space or find alternative offerings that enable you to stay on track for graduation. Remember that for some requirements, there are a variety of choices that will meet the requirement. We understand that some classes may be offered at a time and day that you find less convenient, but it will be important for you to consider these options as well.
Can a student who is approved for a reduced credit load take more than 13 credits?
What happens if a student does not register for 13 credits?
Students who do not register for 13 credits and do not have approval to take a reduced credit load will be billed for 13 credits. They may apply to their college for a temporary exemption or for part-time student status. If their application is approved, they will be billed only for the credits they take.
I plan to be an active participant in a major student organization on campus. Can I get an exemption from the 13-credit policy?
No. Your major responsibility as a student is to complete your degree. Participation in student organizations can be a wonderful and valuable experience, but it should not take precedence over your coursework.
It's very important to me to get into medical school, so I want to take fewer credits each semester to keep my grades up. Can I get an exemption from the 13-credit policy?
No. Remember that medical schools and graduate programs look not only at grades but also at the credit load students have been carrying. Because graduate and professional programs are very demanding, many programs look for evidence that a student is able to succeed while carrying a full-time credit load. You will probably not improve your chances of admission by reducing your credit load and taking longer to graduate, even if your grades are slightly higher.
I need to be a "full-time" student to be covered on my parents' insurance. How does the university define "full-time" for this purpose?
For insurance purposes and for most federal financial aid, you will meet the full-time definition if you take 12 credits. But remember that you need to take at least 15 credits a semester to graduate in four years.
I am transferring to the Twin Cities campus from the Duluth campus. Will I still be under the 13-credit policy?
Yes, students transferring from another U of M campus are considered transfer students for this purpose and are under the 13-credit policy.
If I go to summer school, am I required to take 13 credits or petition for a Reduced Credit Load?
No, the policy covers only fall and spring semesters.
Do IDL (Independent and Distance Learning) courses count as part of my required 13 credits?
Yes, but only in the semester in which you registered for the course.
I am a University staff member taking classes part-time toward a degree. Do I have to request a reduced credit load?
No, University staff taking classes with University support are automatically exempt from the 13-credit requirement.
What happens if I initially register for 13 credits and then drop a class?
If you drop below 13 credits during the first four weeks of the semester, you can still file a Request for a Reduced Credit Load. If you do not file, or if your request is not approved, you will be charged for 13 credits of tuition.
If you drop below 13 credits after the deadline for tuition refunds, there is no penalty and no refund (in other words, you have already been billed for 13 credits and you will be responsible for that bill).
E-mail helpingu@umn.edu if you have additional questions.
