Tag: full-time status

Do I have to register for the co-op class or can I just skip it?

It depends.  Enrolling in the co-op class allows you to retain your student status while you are gone.  This can help you keep your financial aid, scholarships, and health insurance.  You can also use the credits towards your degree requirements as technical electives or free electives.  

Your next step is to check with Financial Aid to see how the co-op will impact your situation. They can help you determine if you should be taking the co-op class and if you should take it for one or two credits for financial aid purposes.  In most situations one credit will give you part time status and two credits will give you full time status.

If you are here on an F-1 visa then Career Services recommends you register for co-op credits during the summer as well.  By registering as a co-op student you are considered a full-time student and will not be utilizing your practical training time.

How many credits do I get for co-op? Do I get a grade for this class?

For each semester of co-op you can sign up for 1 or 2 credits of co-op class .  If you need to be a full-time student during your co-op then you need to be signed up for 2 credits.

Yes, your co-op class is graded.  It is a course that you will complete on Canvas while on co-op. Your employer will do a midterm and final evaluation on your work, and this evaluation will be submitted to Michigan Tech.  You will be asked to do a midterm and a final evaluation of your employer as well.  Lastly, to complete your co-op you must write a final report.  All of this is used to determine your grade for the class.

See also : Do I have to take the co-op class or can I just skip it?

Can I have less than 12 credits in my last semester?

That depends.  As an undergraduate student you must have at least 12 credit to be considered full-time.  Does your health insurance require you to be a full-time student?  Are you paying for school using scholarships or loans that require you to be a full-time student?  Are you an international student that needs to be a full-time student for your visa?

It used to be common for health insurance rules to require you to be a full-time student, however that is not always the case anymore.  You will need to check with your health care provider to see what are your current requirements.

Just about everyone’s financial aid (this includes both scholarships and loans) is different.  Some student have told me that their financial aid was able to be prorated, but that will depend on which scholarships and loans you have.  Some students who are paying with loans and already have a job offered lined up have chosen to use their 6-month grace period during their last semester. It is important to set up an appointment with the Financial Aid Office to figure out what is best for you.

If you are an international student there is a form that you can fill out that allows you to have less than 12 credits in your final semester and still meet your visa requirements.  For more information contact the International Programs and Services Office.