Request a Credit Overload

Credit overload is a request form process that allows students to take more credits than the standard maximum for a given term.

The Summer 2025 Credit Overload Request Form is currently open

The form will close on the following dates:
Session 1 will close on May 27, 2025
Session 2 will close on July 1, 2025
Session 3 will close on July 10, 2025

The Fall 2025 Request Form will open on May 12, 2025

What is Credit Overload?

Credit overload is a request form process that allows students to take more credits than the standard maximum for a given term. All credit overload requests are reviewed, and decisions are made by the Credit Overload Committee. This option is available to students who meet specific academic criteria, including maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and successfully completing a designated number of credits in recent semesters.

The maximum number of credits allowed for each term varies, with specific limits set for winter, spring, summer, and fall sessions. The credit overload ceiling for the fall and spring semesters is 21 credits. A credit overload request must be approved for students to exceed the preset credit limits that Hunter College allocates for each term. If you want to know how many credits you can overload for a specific term, please view the Credit Overload Request Chart below.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a credit overload, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher at Hunter College.
  • Have demonstrated the ability to complete 15 credits or more successfully in prior semesters at Hunter College, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher and without receiving grades of F, W, WU, CR or NC.
  • Have no pending grades of Incomplete (INC) or Z.

Note: The two most recent semesters will be reviewed and be a determining factor in the final decision.

General Disclaimer: The Credit Overload Committee at Hunter College rarely approves credit overload requests exceeding 21 credits. We recommend 21 credits as the maximum credit load per semester for your academic progress and success. The committee infrequently reviews requests above this limit, and they will only be approved under extraordinary circumstances.

Credit Overload Request Chart

Term Max Credits (without overload) Max Credits (with overload)
Fall 17.5 credits 21.5 credits
Winter 4 credits 7.5 credits
Spring 17.5 credits 21.5 credits
Summer 7.5 credits per session* 9.5 credits per session *

 

*Summer sessions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis due to the concurrent sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Request a Credit Overload

To request a credit overload for the upcoming semester, you must complete and submit a Credit Overload Request Form by 11:59 pm on the designated deadline above. Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying, as requests will only be approved if the criteria are met. Requests submitted after the deadline will not be considered, and appeals are rarely accepted.

Upon submission of your Credit Overload request, please note the following:
  • The desire to graduate earlier is not a substitute for meeting the eligibility criteria for credit overload.
  • The two most recent semesters will be reviewed and will be a determining factor in the final decision.
  • All credit overload requests are subject to approval by the Credit Overload Committee, and not all requests may be granted.

For any questions or concerns regarding credit overload requests, please email us at creditov@hunter.cuny.edu.

Go to Credit Overload Request Form