As a full-time student, it’s important to know how your status is affected during periods of nonattendance.
Eligibility for certain benefits, financial aid, and other resources often depend on maintaining full-time student status. In this blog post, we’ll break down the criteria under Section 404.368 that determine whether you are still considered a full-time student during a period of nonattendance.
To maintain your full-time student status during a period of nonattendance (including part-time attendance), you must meet the following three conditions:
- Duration of Nonattendance (§ 404.368 (a)): The period of nonattendance should not exceed four consecutive months. This means you can take a temporary break from your studies without affecting your full-time student status, as long as you plan to return within four months.
- Intent to Resume Studies (§ 404.368 (b)): You must provide evidence that you plan to resume your studies as a full-time student at the end of the nonattendance period. Alternatively, you should be a full-time student by the end of the nonattendance period. Demonstrating your intention to return to your studies is crucial for maintaining your status.
- Nonattendance Due to Expulsion or Suspension (§ 404.368 (c)): Your nonattendance period should not be a result of expulsion or suspension from the school. If your break from school is due to disciplinary actions such as these, you will not be considered a full-time student during the period of nonattendance.
Example: Jane’s Journey Through a Period of Nonattendance
Jane is a full-time college student pursuing a degree in biology. Due to a family emergency, she needs to take a temporary break from her studies. Jane’s nonattendance period is planned to last for three months, which is within the four consecutive months limit stated in § 404.368 (a).
Before starting her break, Jane visits her academic advisor to discuss her plans. She informs her advisor that she intends to resume her studies as a full-time student at the end of the three-month period. Jane provides a written statement detailing her intentions, which satisfies the condition in § 404.368 (b).
It’s important to note that Jane’s nonattendance is due to a family emergency and not a result of expulsion or suspension from her college. Therefore, she meets the third condition outlined in § 404.368 (c).
By meeting all three conditions, Jane maintains her full-time student status during her period of nonattendance. As a result, she remains eligible for financial aid and other benefits when she returns to her studies after the three-month break.
Conclusion: Maintaining your full-time student status during periods of nonattendance is essential for preserving your eligibility for various benefits and resources. Be sure to keep these conditions in mind when planning a temporary break from your studies, and always communicate your intentions with your educational institution. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth transition back to full-time studies when you’re ready to return.
https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0368.htm
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