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Education and Training

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

Use training time (TT) to calculate full time equivalency (FTE) for 85/15 rule purposes.

FTE Calculation for Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) Programs

In standard quarter or semester, VA measures training as follows:

  • 12 credits or more are full-time
  • 9-11 credits are ¾ time
  • 6-8 credits are ½ time
  • 1-5 credits are ¼ time

Full-time for graduate training programs is determined by the educational institution. If the school has questions regarding how to determine training time for undergraduate programs that are 13 or 14 semester or quarter hours in length, or for non-standard length terms, they should contact the Education Liaison Representative (ELR) of jurisdiction for more information.

Full-time measurement for the programs in the example below is 12 semester hours.

Example

An International University is a term-based institution. This school allows new students to enroll twice a year (Fall and Spring) in standard length terms and offers programs in semester hours.

A total of four (04) supported students enrolled in a program at An International University.

Student Semester Hours Enrolled Training Time Conversion
1 3 1/4 time 0.25
2 6 1/2 time 0.50
3 9 3/4 time 0.75
4 12 full-time 1.00

To calculate the number of students enrolled at a FTE, add the total number of students by their enrollment percentile (converted to decimal).

Student Training Time
1 0.25
2 0.50
3 0.75
4 1.00
Total 2.50

There are 2.50 FTE supported students pursuing this program at the beginning of this enrollment period.

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) Calculation for Non-College Degree (NCD) Programs

For clock hour programs, full-time measurement is 18 clock hours if classroom instruction predominates and 22 clock hours if shop practice predominates. The clock hour measurement for all approved programs measured and paid by clock hours is listed on the Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) Report.

Clock hour training time is measured as follows:

18 Hours: Theory Predominates

  • 18 hours or more are full-time
  • 13-17 hours are ¾ time
  • 9-12 hours are ½ time
  • 1-8 hours are ¼ time

22 Hours: Shop/Practice Predominates

  • 22 hours or more are full-time
  • 16-21 hours are ¾ time
  • 11-15 hours are ½ time
  • 1-10 hours are ¼ time

Example

Accredited Training Academy is a term-based institution. This school allows new students to enroll in a program on a rolling basis in program length enrollment period. Accredited Training Academy offers non-college programs in clock hours where shop theory predominates, so full-time is equal to or greater than 22 clock hours per week.

A total of four (04) supported students enrolled in a program at Accredited Training Academy.

Student Clock Hours Enrolled Training Time Conversion
1 8 1/4 time 0.25
2 12 1/2 time 0.50
3 17 3/4 time 0.75
4 22 full-time 1.00

To calculate the number of students enrolled at a full-time equivalency, add the total number of students by their enrollment percentile (converted to decimal).

Student Training Time
1 0.25
2 0.50
3 0.75
4 1.00
Total 2.50

There are 2.50 FTE supported students pursuing this program at the beginning of the enrollment period.



Additional 85/15 Webpages
85/15 FAQS The 85/15 Rule Suspension and Review
Restricted Aid Supported and Non-Supported Students Reporting Requirements
35 Percent Exemption DoD Exemption Education Service Waiver