Registration load & light load

What you need to know

Calculating registration load depends on your student level and the semester. Full-time registration load is 36 units. Units you earn as a listener or for ROTC subjects, transfer credit, advanced standing credit, and advanced placement credit are not included in this calculation.

There are consequences to carrying less than a full-time load (light load), including potential issues with financial aid, loan deferments, compliance with immigration regulations, eligibility for varsity athletics, and external health insurance requirements.

Some key points to remember:

• You are charged full tuition when you register for 32 units or more in a term, including units as a listener and ROTC subjects.
• If you receive financial aid and are registered for fewer than 36 units, contact Student Financial Services about possible adjustments to your aid package, loans, and/or student expense budgets.
• Registration load is not applicable during IAP. If you are registered for a full-time load in the fall term, you are considered full-time through the last day of IAP.
• International students are required to be registered full-time when school is in session in order to maintain legal status in the United States. Contact the International Students Office with questions.
• You must be registered full-time to be eligible for varsity athletics. Only seniors in their final term who have submitted a degree application are allowed to participate in varsity athletics with a light load.

Undergraduates

If you are on approved study abroad, domestic study away, or a co-op, you are considered full-time. If you are on campus, your registration load is based on the following units:

Fall and spring terms

Graduate students

You are considered full-time if you are charged full tuition, except for cases described in Graduate Policies & Procedures. If you are not charged full tuition, or if you are a non-resident or special graduate student, your registration load is based on the following units:

Fall and spring terms

Summer session