HomeMaximum Units and Semesters
You may continue to receive financial aid until you reach the maximum units or full-time equivalent semesters (FTES) established for your degree, your credential, or certificate. (See how FTES are calculated).
All units you complete at SDSU and or transfer to SDSU are counted.
At the end of the spring semester of the academic year in which you reach either maximum units or maximum FTES, you will not be eligible for further aid for that degree or objective.
We will notify you with a message by e-mail and in your AidLink account.
Units Counted Towards the Maximum
- Units are counted even if you did not receive aid for those units at the time you were enrolled.
- Semesters of enrollment are counted whether or not you earned course credit.
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- The first undergraduate degree has been earned
- 150 units are completed
- 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Classified graduate / credential students
Classified graduate or credential students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree or credential has been earned
- 50 units are completed
- 6 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
- 2 semesters of comprehensive examination 799C have been completed
- 4 semesters, in any combination, of thesis coursework 799A and 799B have been completed
- Enrollment in Thesis 799A/B does not count toward the maximum number of units and FTES. However, once enrolled in thesis coursework, your eligibility for aid is limited to four semesters, in any combination, of 799A and 799B.
Note: Maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly for graduate degrees requiring more than 50 units.
Limited Eligibility for a Second Master's Degree
If you are pursing a second master's degree, you may be eligible for State University Grant and/or the Direct Loan Program.
- Eligibility is limited to 2 years (4 full-time equivalent semesters or 38 units).
- To be considered for aid in subsequent semesters, you must provide a copy of your Official Program of Study for the degree.
Joint Doctoral Students
Joint doctoral students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree has been earned
- 100 units are completed
- 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Note: Maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly for doctoral degrees requiring more than 100 units.
Education Doctoral Students
Education doctoral students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree has been earned
- 60 units are completed
- 7 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Certificate Students
SDSU offers a number of nondegree programs leading to certificates. Students who enroll in courses leading to a certificate may be eligible for aid depending on the number of units and length of the course.
To qualify, you must be admitted to SDSU through the main campus, you must enroll at least half time, and the length of the certificate term must be at least 15 weeks. To see if your certificate is eligible, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Eligible students enrolled in eligible certificates may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A certificate has been earned
- The total number of units attempted for the certificate exceeds 150% of the units needed to complete the certificate.
For example: a student enrolled in an eligible certificate course requiring 18 units may be eligible to receive financial aid until he or she completes the certificate or attempts 27 units, whichever occurs first.
Extend Financial Aid or Reestablish Eligibility
You may request an extension or reestablish your eligibility for one or more semesters by submitting a Maximum Units/Semesters Appeal form. (Refer to How to Reestablish Eligibility.)
If your appeal is approved, you will receive aid only for courses required to complete your degree or credential.
Understanding Full-time Equivalent Semesters - FTES
When you enroll at SDSU a full-time equivalent semester (FTES) figure is assigned, whether you enter as a freshman, graduate, or transfer from another college.
If you have transfer units, your initial FTES are determined by dividing your total transfer units by 12 (9 for graduate units) and rounding down to the nearest .25%.
After we establish your initial FTES, the FTES assessed for any subsequent semester may be 1.00, .75, .50, or .25, depending on your enrollment status each semester at census (after add/drop).
Enrollment Status |
Undergraduate and Credential Students | Masters and Doctoral Students | Full-time Equivalent Semesters (FTES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 12 units or more | 9 units or more | 1.00 semester |
| 3/4 time | 9 to 11 units | 7 or 8 units | 0.75 semester |
| 1/2 time | 6 to 8 units | 5 or 6 units | 0.50 semester |
| Less than 1/2 time | 3 to 5 units AT SDSU | 3 or 4 units AT SDSU | 0.25 semester |
