For a student whose disability substantially limits their capacity to take a full-time courseload, a Reduced Credit Load accommodation provides the option to take as few as 6 credits per term while still being considered full-time through OSU.
While this accommodation is in place, eligible students are able to access OSU-controlled scholarships and Oregon need-based grants despite full-time credit requirements.
Once eligibility for this accommodation is determined, DAS will send confirmation of approval to both the OSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Offices.
While a Reduced Credit Load will not impact OSU-controlled scholarships, there may be an impact on federal financial aid packages, as federal financial aid credit requirements are not under OSU or DAS control.
- Students accessing this accommodation in conjunction with federal financial aid are responsible for connecting with the Financial Aid Office to determine the specific impact.
- The Financial Aid office is responsible for individual financial needs assessments, including budget allowance, family contribution, and program eligibility.
Scholarship allotments may be distributed proportionally for the duration of a student’s time at OSU, depending on the term that the Reduced Credit Load is implemented.
Students are expected to complete the number of credits they register for prior to implementation and cannot use this accommodation to address previous deficiencies in credit completion rates.
For international students
- International students may not be eligible for this accommodation due to visa requirements. Students should contact DAS directly to discuss specifics.
For graduate students
- Graduate students work directly the DAS Director or a designee to implement this accommodation.
- Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) may have additional steps to complete through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) due to employment requirements.
- Factors considered when implementing this accommodation include:
- GRA funding.
- GTA funding.
- Departmental funding.
- Program/credit requirements.
- Self-funding, as many master's and doctoral programs do not have a minimum credit requirement.
- Self-funding, as many master's and doctoral programs do not have a minimum credit requirement .
Page updated: 2/2026