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Student Financial Aid

Course Program of Study (CPoS)

United States Department of Education regulations require that students receiving federal student aid (i.e.: Pell Grant, Direct Loans and Work Study) be enrolled in courses that are applicable toward their degree.

Students enrolled in coursework not applicable toward their degree requirements could see their financial aid package prorated or cancelled. To remain eligible and receive the full financial aid package, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours within their degree program each semester.

What is CPoS?

Course Program of Study (CPoS) is the process that identifies courses within a student’s program of study. Courses that do not apply towards a student’s program of study will be ineligible for federal financial aid.

What is the timeline for CPoS?

Each semester, once students are registered for courses, they may review their degree audit in Degree Works (iROAR > Student Self-Service > Degree Works under the Student Records heading) to see if there are courses that do not satisfy degree requirements. 

CPoS Timeline

Date Event
November 6 Early Registration
Registration begins for spring term
Week of Nov. 6 CPoS process begins running for Spring 2024 courses
Beginning with this run, CPoS will run nightly to pick up any changes to students' records
Early December Communications begin to aid applicants with at least one ineligible CPoS course
Early January Financial aid pays to student records
Communications continue to aid recipients with at least one ineligible CPoS course
January 10 Spring 2024 classes begin
Deadline for students to submit course substitutions and change of programs for the current term
January 17 Last day to register or add a class or declare Audit
Deadline for departments and Enrolled Student Services to process change of academic program and course substitutions for the current term
January 24 Last day to drop a class/withdraw from the University without a W grade
Census date for financial aid. Financial aid will be finalized based on the student's enrollment in required classes as of the close of this day.

Why are we implementing CPoS?

The U.S. Department of Education requires that institutions ensure financial aid funds are used to pay for courses that apply to a student’s degree program. 

This change not only pertains to financial aid, but also helps ensure that students are progressing toward timely completion of their degree.