Under some situations, students may need to be enrolled as a full-time student. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln defines "full-time" as being enrolled in at least 9 credit hours during an academic semester or at least 6 credit hours during summer sessions. Full-time status is required for students with fellowships and certain student loans. Fulltime status is not required for students with assistantships, although enrollment in at least 1 credit hour is required. With approval of the Dean of Graduate Students, students in the final semester of a masters degree program, or candidates for doctoral degrees registered for fewer than the minimum hours required for a full program, may be granted full-time status provided they are not employed more than 20 hours per week.