First thing…find out what happens if he goes to less than full time. Things like a Pell Grant, and Direct Loan (which are often part of need based aid packages) are prorated based on full time vs part time status. You need to find out what he will LOSE aid wise if he goes to part time status. It could be 1/2 of his aid for the term.
Find out.
Our kids got merit awards…,we made it VERY clear that if they lost these awards, they would not be able to return to their expensive colleges.
Does your son realize what he needs to do to keep his need based aid at full? Find that out…and make sure HE knows. Find that out today.