Studying part-time

If you’re studying part-time, we may still be able to help.

We use a measurement called EFTS (Equivalent Full-time Student) to work out if you're studying part-time or full-time.

What are EFTS?

What you can get

If you’re studying part-time, you may only be able to get a Student Loan for compulsory course fees unless you can be classed as a full-time student.

What you need to do

Apply online for a Student Loan for fees (if you haven't already).

You may also be able to get:

Classed as a full-time student

  • Reasons you can be classed as a full-time student

    You might be considered a full-time student, even if you're studying part-time, if you're either:

    • studying part-time, with the support of your education provider, for one of these reasons:
      • you have a medical condition
      • for a reason you can’t control (eg, disability)
      • it's in your academic best interests. This means if you studied full-time, you would probably fail because of academic reasons relating to your cognitive ability. But if you studied part-time, you would most likely pass more than half of the course, or
    • finishing an approved course that you’ve already started and doing enough papers so that you’re studying over half of a full-time course.

    Studying over half of a full-time course

    To work out if you’re studying over half of a full-time course, we look at:

    • the number of weeks you’re studying
    • how many EFTS your course needs to be considered full-time and
    • how many EFTS you’re studying.

    Examples

    If you’re studying for 30 weeks, your course needs 0.75 EFTS to be full-time. You need to be studying more than half of this. This means you need to be studying more than 0.375 EFTS.

    If you’re studying for 20 weeks, your course needs 0.5 EFTS to be full-time. You need to be studying more than half of this. This means you need to be studying more than 0.25 EFTS.

  • What you can get if you're full-time

    If you're classed as a full-time student, you may be able to get a:

    • Student Loan for:
      • compulsory course fees
      • course-related costs
      • living costs.
    • Student Allowance.

  • Apply to be classed as a full-time student

    Step 1 - Apply for a loan or allowance

    Apply online for a Student Loan or Student Allowance (if you haven't already).

    Step 2 - Fill out a Limited full-time application form

    You and an authorised staff member at your education provider need to fill out a Limited full-time application form.

    You will be provided with a Limited full-time application form to download at the end of Apply Online.

    Or, you can download the form here.

    linksLimited full-time status application form (PDF 730.15KB)

    Step 3 - Gather evidence

    You may need to provide evidence of your situation - the Limited Full-time application form will tell you what to provide

    Step 4 - Upload to Connect

    Log in to Connect and upload your form and documents.

linksRelated links

Student Loan
Student Allowance