Students whose disability substantially limits their ability to complete a full-time load may be eligible for a reduced credit load of either 6-8 credits (½ time) or 9-11 credits (¾ time). If approved for this accommodation, a student would be considered a full-time student to remain eligible for the continuation of their OSU scholarship(s) and Oregon need based grants. Recommendation for this accommodation is coordinated by the Director of DAS or their designee.
DAS approval of a reduced credit load for OSU based scholarships and Oregon need based grants may impact a student’s Federal Financial Aid package. Students who are approved for a reduced credit load as an accommodation are responsible for meeting with the OSU Financial Aid office to discuss the impact of a reduced credit load (based on their ½ time or ¾ time status) on their financial aid package (Pell grant, Federal Financial Aid, etc.). The Financial Aid office is responsible for individual financial need assessment including budget allowance, family contribution, and program eligibility. Federal financial aid credit requirement guidelines are not under OSU’s control.
Once DAS determines the level of reduced credit load, in consultation with the student based on disability related need, DAS will send an email to the Financial Aid and Scholarship offices indicating the student’s approval of this accommodation and the level of reduced credit load (½ or ¾ time) for the current academic year. Students who are approved for a reduced credit load as an accommodation are responsible for meeting with either/both the OSU Scholarship office and/or the Financial Aid Office.
DAS will automatically send an email to the student, OSU Financial Aid and Scholarship offices regarding approval for the reduced credit load accommodation if the student has utilized reduced credit accommodation over the past academic year.
If the student has not used the reduced credit accommodation previously but would now like to use it, the student needs to email their DAS Adviser indicating they would like to use their reduced credit load accommodation for that year. DAS will then notify the Financial and Scholarship offices for the academic year of the approved accommodation.
The scholarship “dollars” may be “pro-rated” depending on the term the student is approved for the reduced credit accommodation. Students are expected to complete the number of credits they signed up to take prior to receiving this accommodation and cannot use the reduced credit accommodations to address deficiencies in credit completion rate.
Student eligibility for a reduced credit load (6-8 or 9-11 credits) is reviewed on a yearly basis. Determination of the accommodation is based in part on the impact of the student’s disability and their prior (appropriate) usage of the reduced course load accommodation. DAS sends an updated email to the Financial Aid and Scholarship offices for each academic year.
Graduate students who have a GRA or GTA position may have additional steps through Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) due to employment requirements.
Updated: 08/2022