Online & Distance Students

Depending on the types of courses you take, financial aid for online or distance courses differs in few ways from financial aid for traditional, on-campus courses.

Semester-Based Online Courses (Eligible for Aid)

Semester-based online courses follow UND's academic calendar, with scheduled start and end dates as well as deadlines to complete assignments and exams. 

Federal and state financial aid may be available if you are:

• Fully admitted in a degree or approved certificate program.
• Enrolled in the minimum number of credits each semester:
  •  Undergraduate students = 6 credits
  • Graduate/law students = 5 credits

Open-Enrollment, Independent Study Courses (Not Eligible)

Open-enrollment, independent courses available online or by mail, such as UND's Self-Paced, Enroll Anytime (SPEA) courses, do not follow UND's academic calendar. Instead of following a set semester schedule, students start and complete their coursework at their own pace within an allowed timeframe. 

• These courses do not qualify for federal and state financial aid, UND scholarships and tuition waivers (except as required by statute).
• You may apply for private education loans. You must be registered for the course before the UND Financial Aid Office will certify a private education loan.

Combination of Semester-Based Courses and Open-Enrollment Online Courses

If you're enrolled in a combination of semester-based courses and open-enrollment courses, only your semester-based courses will be considered for federal or state financial aid programs.

If you withdraw from all semester-based courses and subsequently enroll in open-enrollment courses, your financial aid eligibility may be recalculated.