Who is considered a regular student for Title IV eligibility?

To determine Title IV eligibility, a regular student is defined as someone who is enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an eligible institution. This means they are pursuing a recognized course of study that meets federal guidelines and standards for financial aid. The focus on a degree or certificate program ensures that students are engaged in a structured academic framework aimed at attaining a specific educational goal.

Being enrolled in any course or taking only online classes does not inherently qualify a student as a regular student for Title IV purposes, especially if those courses do not lead to a degree or certificate. Furthermore, part-time status does not disqualify a student from receiving financial aid as long as they are enrolled in an eligible program; however, merely being part-time does not define regular student status. The key aspect of being considered a regular student lies in the pursuit of a degree or certificate from an eligible institution, which aligns with the intent of Title IV programs to support educational advancement.