Determine your class standing & status

Where do you stand?

Generally, the number of IU course hours you’ve completed with a passing grade and any transfer hours you may have earned outside of the IU system are added together to determine your class standing. In some cases, your standing may be determined by where you are in your program instead. This is particularly true if you’ve changed majors and a significant number of your hours won’t apply to your new major.

Class standings

  • Freshman: 0–29 hours
  • Sophomore: 30–59 hours
  • Junior: 60–89 hours
  • Senior: 90+ hours
  • Master graduate/masters

Mind your full-time / part-time status

Your financial aid, the amount of time it takes you to finish your degree, whether or not you’re eligible for certain services—all these and more depend on your student status.

Enrollment requirements

Check the enrollment requirements table for information about the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Full- and half-time requirements
CareerHalf-timeFull-time
Undergraduate6 hours12 hours
Graduate4 hours8 hours

Enrollment requirements for international students

Summer enrollment requirements apply to international students who have not been enrolled at IU the previous five months. If you’re beginning your IU education during the summer term, you won’t be able to start until the second eight weeks.

Requirements for international students
CareerFall & SpringSummer
International undergraduate12 hours6 hours
International graduate student8 hours4 hours

Keep your financial aid

Much financial aid, especially federal loans, requires you to be enrolled in a minimum number of credit hours. Check the requirements for the type of aid you’re applying for to make sure you’re taking enough credit hours to get and keep it.

Finish your degree on time

If your degree requires 120 to 128 credit hours, you should expect to take no fewer than 15 or 16 hours per semester to complete your degree requirements in 8 semesters. Talk to your advisor for more specific credit hour recommendations for your program.

Stay eligible

If a certain enrollment status (e.g., full- or part-time) is required for reasons such as visa status or to receive VA benefits, make sure you know how a drop might affect your eligibility.