Steps for Nondegree Students

Information for nondegree students

If you’re taking courses at IUPUI or IUPUC with the goal of being admitted to a degree program or eligible certificate program, and you’re interested in receiving federal loans, you’ll need to fulfill additional requirements after filing your FAFSA.

Be sure you meet the requirements

  • You must meet satisfactory academic progress
  • You must complete a Prerequisite Form that indicates what courses you will take.
  • You must be taking courses that are prerequisites (required) for admission to an eligible program. An academic advisor in the department or school where the program is located must verify and sign your prerequisite form each semester that you request aid.
  • Once you begin the prerequisite process, you only have 12 consecutive months to finish your prerequisites and received financial aid.
  • Your enrollment during the verified semester must match the coursework listed on your prerequisite form. You must be taking enough prerequisites to be equal to or greater than half time (6 credits for undergraduates and 4 credits for graduate students).
  • Coursework that isn’t listed or verified won’t be included when we determine your enrollment status. If you enroll in additional coursework during the semester, you’ll still be eligible for aid only after the minimum half-time enrollment requirement is met with verified prerequisites. You would need to submit an updated form to our office with an academic advisor signature from the department or school where the program is located.

What to know about federal loans

Keep in mind that your maximum period of eligibility for federal student loans as a nondegree student taking prerequisite courses is 12 consecutive months. And you can’t exceed borrowing limits for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.

Federal PLUS loan eligibility is limited to parents of dependent nondegree students seeking admission to an undergraduate program. If you’re a graduate student, you aren’t eligible for Grad PLUS loans while working on prerequisite courses.

Your next steps

You’ll need to meet with your advisor to discuss your eligibility and fill out the nondegree prerequisite coursework verification form.

After your form is submitted, please allow 10 business days for review. Be sure to submit your form at least 30 days prior to the end of the term for which you’re seeking financial aid.

If your nondegree prerequisite form is approved and your enrollment verified, you’ll receive a Financial Aid Notification (FAN) at your IUPUI or IUPUC email account. Note that if your form is incomplete, you’ll need to fill out a new form.

Learn more about the nondegree prerequisite form

Get started

Fill out your FAFSA