In general, students registered in full-time programs are expected to maintain full-time status throughout their programs. Requests for change of status from full-time to part-time must be approved both by the Department/Program and by the School of Graduate Studies; such requests normally will not be approved until after the student has completed the period of BIU eligibility (6 terms for Master's and 13 terms for Doctoral students).
No changes of registration status will be granted after the Ontario government enrolment count date for that term (1 November for the Fall Term, 1 February for the Winter term, 30 June for the Summer term).
Transfers from full-time to part-time status will be considered in the following circumstances:
a. When there has been a change in the student's personal circumstances which prevent her/his studies from being pursued on a full-time basis. This would include increases in family commitments for childcare, care of other dependents or changes in personal health.
b. An opportunity for full-time professional employment arises which would make it impossible for the student to maintain his/hers studies on a full-time basis.
c. If a student registers full-time in another degree program.
In order for the request to be considered, the request form must be accompanied by:
i. a statement by the student of the reasons for requesting the transfer and a plan of study setting out the steps to be taken and a timetable for completion;
ii a statement from the supervisor that the study plan and timetable are realistic.
Additional documentation is required to support a request to change to part time status in some cases. These requirements are stated on the form.
It is expected that the student applying for this transfer for reasons other than those set out in (a) above will have completed all data collection for the research and that the thesis is scheduled to be finished within one year of the time of transfer.
In cases of financial hardship after the period of BIU eligibility has expired, the taking up of full-time employment of a general nature may be considered provided that i) and ii) above are satisfied and completion is expected within one year of the time of transfer.
The registration of a student who has transferred to part-time status will be reviewed after one year; if the student has failed to make substantial progress during the year, he/she may be required to return to full-time status or to withdraw from the program.
NOTES
1 All Master's students registering initially in a full-time program as a full-time student must pay full-time fees at least for the first three terms, whatever their registration status.
2 All doctoral students registering initially in a full-time program as a full-time student must pay full-time fees at least for the first six terms, whatever their registration status.
3 Students who meet the conditions for part-time status will be charged the part-time fee, which is currently one-half of the full-time fee (however, note 1 and 2).
Admission & Registration 
