11 Student Loans for Part-Time Learners

Federal student loans, and many private student loans, require at least half-time enrollment for you to be eligible. This generally means you must take at least six credits each semester. However, even if you're only taking one or two classes, you have options for student loan funding.

Sallie Mae, College Ave, and Abe all stand out for offering loans to students who are enrolled less than half-time. However, you'll still need to meet other eligibility requirements to qualify.

Here's what you need to know about loans for part-time learners, including how to apply and the pros and cons.

11 part-time student loans to consider

The following lenders offer student loans for part-time students:

Why you can trust our Credible experts

The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased. Partners do not influence our editorial content. To help you find the best student loan for your situation, we conduct thorough research and analyze thousands of lender data points. Using data-driven methodologies, we score criteria that are important to you. This allows us to objectively rank student loan lenders and products. To learn more, read our methodology below.

Methodology

To determine the best part-time student loan lenders, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. Based on our findings, we assigned a score out of five stars to each lender. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan companies - which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.

• Repayment options: 30%
• Eligibility: 25%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Customer support: 10%

While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.

Learn more about our methodology.

What's the difference between a part-time and full-time student?

Your enrollment status is determined by the amount of credits you're taking. A part-time student is generally one who's taking fewer classes than their school's definition of full-time enrollment. The Department of Education classifies standard enrollment this way:

• Full-time enrollment: At least 12 credit hours per term
• Half-time enrollment: At least 6 credit hours per term

If your school uses "clock hour" programs or another nonstandard system for enrollment, you can contact the school to find out what it considers full-time or half-time. Some schools consider 24 clock hours per week to be full-time enrollment, while schools with a quarter system may consider 36 quarter hours per academic year to be full-time.

If you're at half-time enrollment or above, you can qualify for federal or private student loans. If you're below half-time enrollment, you may still be eligible for a loan from a private lender like Sallie Mae.

Keep in mind that many lenders prefer to issue larger loans over smaller ones, which may make it more difficult to qualify for a part-time student loan. According to data compiled by Credible, the rejection rate for applications for private student loans of less than $2,000 is around 40%, compared with 13% for loan amounts of $15,000 or more.

Can I get federal student loans as a part-time student?

To qualify for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans, you must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school and program. If you plan to enroll in fewer classes than this, you unfortunately won't be able to take out a federal student loan.

However, applying for as many scholarships and grants as possible may help you cover the cost of your part-time education. It's still important to submit the FAFSA to find out what other aid you may qualify for.

How to take out student loans as a part-time student

If you decide to take out student loans as a part-time student, follow these four steps:

1. Fill out the FAFSA: To apply for federal student loans and other federal aid, you'll need to complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). How much you qualify for in federal student loans will depend on your financial information, enrollment status, dependency status, and what year you are in school.
2. Take any scholarships or grants first: You might qualify for school-specific college scholarships or grants through the FAFSA. Unlike student loans, you won't have to worry about repaying these types of financial aid. You can also find scholarships and grants elsewhere — such as through local or national businesses or nonprofit organizations.
3. Opt for federal loans next: If you still need to borrow money to cover your school expenses, federal student loans are usually a good place to start. This is because federal student loans come with federal benefits and protections, including access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs. Your school will let you know what federal student loans you're eligible for after you submit the FAFSA.
4. Use private loans to fill the gaps: If you've exhausted your scholarship, grant, and federal student loan options, private student loans could help fill any financial gaps. A private student loan is also likely your only student loan option if you're enrolled less than half-time.

You'll generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for a private student loan. Some lenders offer private student loans for bad credit, but these loans generally come with higher interest rates compared to the rates offered to borrowers with good credit.

What happens to your student loans if you drop below half-time?

For most federal and private student loans, dropping below half-time status generally means you'll have to begin repaying your loans.

Before you drop any classes, make sure to double-check how it'll affect your enrollment status and whether you'll need to start making student loan payments.

If your student loans have a grace period (typically six months), you'll have that much time before you must start making payments if you drop below half-time.

If you decide to take out private student loans to pay for school as a part-time student, be sure to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you.

No matter if you take out federal or private student loans, be sure to consider how much the loans will cost you over time. This way, you can plan for any added expenses.

Benefits and drawbacks of being a part-time student

While most people think of higher education in terms of being a full-time student, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to be a part-time learner instead. Of course, there are also disadvantages to being enrolled part-time.

Pros

• More flexibility: Part-time enrollment can be a great option for parents or students who want to work while they attend school, as it allows you to have more freedom in your schedule.
• Costs less: Taking fewer courses will cost you less money, which can make attending college more manageable if money is tight.
• Can help you change careers: If you're working full-time but are interested in changing careers, taking a few college classes can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to switch to a different career path.

Cons

• May not qualify for federal aid: If you're enrolled less than half-time, you won't be able to qualify for federal student loans.
• Takes longer to graduate: Being a part-time student rather than a full-time student means it'll take you longer to complete your courses and graduate. It could take you multiple years longer to get your degree.
• May have fewer choices for schools and programs: You may have a harder time finding a school that offers a part-time program in what you want to study, as some schools only offer full-time programs.