Nontraditional Students

Students formally designated as nontraditional by SAS are exempted from the requirement of full time enrollment that applies to all other SAS undergraduates. Nontraditional students may register for fewer than 12 credits in any semester, or reduce their enrollment below 12 credits during any semester, subject to University deadlines, without additional permission from SAS.

Note: Students registered for fewer than 12 credits are considered part-time under University regulations and federal law. Part-time enrollment can affect visa status and eligibility for financial aid, military benefits, health insurance, campus housing, scholarships, etc. Please see the specific warnings under Cautions for Nontraditional Students.

• Nontraditional students are subject to all University deadlines for adding, dropping and withdrawing from classes or withdrawing from the entire semester.  Consult the Academic Calendar for deadlines at http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/undergrad/calendar.htm  
• After the Last Day to Drop without a W, it is no longer possible to drop below 12 credits or to make any additional credit reductions that result in a reduction of tuition. 
• All students must submit a completed Student Withdrawal form if dropping one or more courses amounts to complete withdrawal from the semester.  
• Failure to attend class is not equivalent to an official withdrawal; students who do not submit a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form will receive earned semester grades. Financial aid recipients who walk away from their semester without filing a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form may be required to repay all aid monies received for the abandoned semester.

• Students registered for fewer than 12 credits are considered part-time under University regulations and federal law. Hence, the decision to register for fewer than 12 credits can affect visa status and eligibility for important University services such as financial aid, military benefits, health insurance, campus housing, scholarships, etc.  Students are urged to consult the appropriate University offices for information in advance of any part-time enrollment.  Please see the specific cautions below:

• Students registered below 12 credits pay tuition per credit, plus fees.  http://www.studentabc.rutgers.edu/tuition-and-fees     
• To be eligible for applicable tuition refunds, students must meet University deadlines for dropping individual courses or for withdrawing from the entire semester.  The deadline to Drop a class without a “W” Grade is posted online at http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/undergrad/calendar.htm   Deadlines for partial refunds after Complete Withdrawal from the University Semester are posted by Student Accounting at https://finance.rutgers.edu/student-abc/refunds/withdrawals-school
• There is no tuition refund for classes dropped with grades of “W” if students remain enrolled in one or more classes that semester.  

• Students must be registered for at least six credits to remain eligible for aid.  Funding may be pro-rated based on the number of credits enrolled.  Contact the Office of Financial Aid directly for specific information. https://financialaid.rutgers.edu/eligibility/enrollment-requirements/

• Contact an advisor in the relevant office to ask how part-time enrollment may affect eligibility.

• Contact an advisor in the relevant office to ask how part-time enrollment may affect eligibility.

• International undergraduate students are required to maintain full-time enrollment of at least 12 credits, except potentially in their final semester before graduation.  Additional information can be found on the Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services website.

• Students currently following an Academic Plan for Financial Aid should consult with the SAS Advising Dean who helped them prepare and submit it, to see whether registering for fewer than 12 credits will violate their plan and render them ineligible to receive aid in future semesters.

• All SAS students are blocked from registering past their declared graduation date, so update your graduation date regularly, online at MyGradDate

• Students enrolled below 12 credits are eligible to use Rutgers Health Services (except students enrolled in Rutgers distance learning, online only or continuing education programs).  However, coverage and payment will vary based upon insurance. Students enrolled below 12 credits do not pay the health fee. http://health.rutgers.edu/insurance-costs/

• Students who wish to live on campus must be full-time matriculating students (enrolled in at least 12 credits) at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

• Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation should meet with an SAS Advising Dean to discuss whether enrolling in fewer than 12 credits will jeopardize their ability to meet academic standards, even if they qualify for reduced enrollment.

To ask whether you already have formal non traditional status within SAS, email your name and RUID number with your inquiry to nontraditional@sas.rutgers.edu

Students without non-traditional status may apply by emailing their name, RUID number and the required documentation below to nontraditional@sas.rutgers.edu.  

1. a copy of your most recent 1040 tax return indicating that you claim yourself; and
2. a signed, dated copy of your current lease showing your name, your landlord’s name and your monthly rental fee.

Both documents above must be included.  

Applicants will receive a response via email.  Students approved for nontraditional status may register for fewer than 12 credits in any future semester, or reduce their enrollment below 12 credits, subject to University deadlines, without additional permission from SAS.

Download our  Resources for Nontraditional Students Guide

Look inside our Handbook for Nontraditional Students to find information about:

• Academic advising geared to the needs and interests of adult learners, students with children, and veterans or military-affiliated students seeking to complete a degree or acquire additional skills or qualifications.
• Access to the full range of SAS Majors and Minors, some of which can be completed partly or completely online.
• Access to Courses offered meeting early morning through late evening, with some weekend classes.
• Options for completing courses required for admission to graduate or professional school, a second major, or even a second undergraduate degree.
• Specialized services for student veterans, military service members and their families through Veteran’s House which offers a supportive environment, expert advising about education benefits, what to do if you are activated, opportunities for intellectual and cultural involvement, fellowship, and programs that promote academic success.
• Resources for students with children, and a listing of child-friendly campus spaces, programs, and University/local daycare providers.
• Programs for women, including the Mary I. Bunting Program (for women out of high school 5+ years) and Douglass Residential College, both of which offer mentoring, a supportive community, competitive scholarships, on-campus housing and other services.
• Optional affiliation with the University College Community, a program that seeks to foster a sense of community among nontraditional students enrolled in any of the schools at Rutgers-New Brunswick.
• Support for undocumented students in SAS, including academic information from the Nontraditional Students and Special Populations advisors, and counseling services, legal advice, immigration information, medical services, and other forms of assistance and community through the Office the Dean of Students - Student Support.
• Career and internship-related advising, resources, and programs from the Office of Career Explorations and Success.