Maximum Time Frame (MTF)

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) is defined as the required length of time it will take a student to complete a degree program based upon the number of credit hours a student must earn to achieve graduation. Federal regulations allow a student to be eligible for financial aid up to 150% of the published time it takes to complete a degree, regardless of enrollment periods in which the student did not receive financial aid. All hours of enrollment (including courses taken with pass/fail option, courses taken through independent and distance learning, and courses from which a student withdrew after the end of the add/drop period) will calculate into a student’s MTF. Periods in which a student does not enroll are not taken into account.

Maximum timeframe requirements are as follows:

Associate Degree        Eligible through 135 hours of enrollment
Bachelor Degree         Eligible through 288 hours of enrollment
Graduate Degree         Eligible through 216 hours of enrollment

All undergraduate hours will be used in calculating the MTF for undergraduate students who have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree and are seeking another undergraduate degree or teacher’s certification. For example, a student who enrolled in 120 hours while seeking an Associate Degree would have 168 hours of enrollment remaining if they chose to pursue a Baccalaureate Degree. All graduate hours will be used in calculating the MTF for graduate students, regardless of whether they are pursuing a first or second degree.

Undergraduate students seeking a second Baccalaureate Degree or a teacher’s certificate may be considered for Federal Direct Loans, provided they have not enrolled in more than 288 undergraduate credit hours. Graduate students who have who have earned a Master’s Degree and are seeking another Master’s Degree are eligible for Federal Direct Loans, provided they have not been enrolled in more than 216 graduate credit hours.

Hours transferred into and accepted by Ohio University will be included in the MTF calculation toward the completion of a degree or certificate. For a course that has been repeated, the hours for the course are counted in the MTF calculation each time a student enrolls in the course.

Proper withdrawal from classes prior to the 14th day of the enrollment will not influence MTF. Please note that hours after the 14th day of enrollment are counted even if the student is approved for a partial or complete withdraw from courses.