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. Your full-time status is determined by your total time commitment, which consists of any research or teaching appointment as well as the academic subject units you are registered for. 

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