Course Program of Study (CPOS)

US Department of Education (ED) regulations require that a student be enrolled in a degree-seeking program to receive federal financial aid. Funds will only be disbursed for the courses needed to fulfill the program of study requirements. Federal financial aid (Pell grants, FSEOG grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Awards,  Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans will be adjusted if a student is not registered in enough credits(s) that apply to their officially declared program of study. Students should plan carefully and ensure that their registration aligns with their degree program requirements.

Effective Fall 2024, students enrolling in courses that are not required to complete their officially declared degree could see their financial aid reduced and/or cancelled as required by the US Department of Education.

For federal aid to pay for a course in your major, it must be part of your Course Program of Study (CPOS) or be necessary to help you earn the total hours required to complete your degree. For those depending upon federal aid to attend UNC, not paying attention to this rule could affect your full-time enrollment status and ultimately your financial aid awards. 

Why Is This Important?

Taking classes that are not in your Course Program of Study for your officially declared major may result in a reduction to your overall financial aid award.  Making sure the courses you are taking are required for your program of study will ensure that you graduate as soon as possible with limited borrowing. 

Make it Count! – Utilize your Academic Advisor 

As a student, academic advisors are available to you to assist with discussing your short-term and long-term educational goals, the best degree fit for you at UNC, and planning your courses each term to help you complete your declared degree as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

Officially Declare Your Major 

It is essential that your major is officially declared and noted in your student record. If you have been planning to declare or change your major, but have not yet done so, you should consult your academic advisor immediately. 

Courses can only be determined to be eligible based on the officially declared major as noted on your student record. Changes cannot be made retroactively, and most changes will not be approved once a determination is made that a course is not financial aid eligible. 

Assumptions About Financial Aid Awards 

Financial aid awards are based on the assumption that undergraduate students will enroll full-time and graduate students will enroll half-time in eligible coursework during Fall and Spring terms. Any enrollment level different than those assumed above can create a recalculation of financial aid award. However, in many cases, a student can enroll in less than the assumed hours listed above and still receive financial aid.

Keep Your Eligibility 

Remember that repeating the same course multiple times, dropping or not attending your courses can negatively impact your eligibility for current and/or future aid. It is important that you discuss your Course Program of Study with your advisor when you enroll each semester. If your degree program is not listed correctly in UNC system (Banner), work with your advisor to make them aware of your request.   

Contact your academic advisor to discuss options if your federal financial aid has been reduced due to enrollment in courses that do not apply towards outstanding requirements in your Course Program of Study. 

Importance of Timely Submission of Course Adjustments

Courses can only be determined to be eligible based on the officially declared program of study as noted on the student record. It is essential for students choosing to use other courses in lieu of the prescribed curriculum outlined in UNC's UG and/or GR catalogs to have their advisor(s) submit course adjustments (substitutions, force complete/waivers, etc) to their respective advisee(s) program of study (major/minor/certificate/licensure) requirements. 

Enrollment Level and CPOS 

Financial aid is initially awarded based on the assumption that undergraduate students will enroll full-time and graduate students will enroll half-time in eligible coursework during fall and spring semesters. Students may only receive federal aid for outstanding coursework that counts towards their officially declared program of study. Institutional, state and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding. Dropping, multiple repeating of the same course or not attending your courses can negatively impact your eligibility for current and/or future aid. 

If your federal financial aid has been reduced due to enrollment in coursework that does not apply towards outstanding requirements in your program of study, you should contact your academic advisor to discuss your academic options. Otherwise, if you have questions regarding financial aid, contact financial aid at ofa@smcun.com.

Examples 

• If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and enroll in 12 hours and only 9 of the 12 hours are required towards your officially declared program of study, the Federal Pell Grant will be reduced to an award based on the 9 hours. 
• Federal Direct Loans require 6 hours of enrollment for all undergraduate students and 5 hours of enrollment for graduate students. If you are enrolled in 6 hours and only 3 of the 6 hours are required for your program of study, you are not eligible to receive a Federal Direct Loan. 

Frequently Asked Questions

•  Is the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend impacted?

  No.

• What if I want to take a course that is not required for my degree? 

  You may still do so. You have the opportunity to maintain your full financial aid by enrolling in at least 12 required credits as an undergraduate or five required credits as a graduate. By meeting the required credits, you can confidently pursue your academic goals and interests without impacting your aid.  Exploring courses outside of your program requirements may reduce your financial aid support if your required courses are below 12 credits for the term undergraduate or five credits at the graduate level. 

•  As an undergraduate student, what if a take an extra course(s) outside of my degree program to be at least full-time for aid purposes?

  Taking extra courses outside your degree program to maintain full-time status for aid purposes is an option. However, remember that Federal Financial aid including Pell, FSEOG, Iraq/Afghanistan Awards and Federal Direct Loans for undergraduate students will only recognize the courses required for your degree program. For all other aid programs, it's essential to meet program enrollment criteria. If you're unsure about these requirements, please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid. Also please remember there is a maximum number of credits/time frame for which a student can receive most financial aid.  Taking non-required coursework can potentially impact your ability to complete your degree with financial aid.  

•  As a graduate student, what if a take an extra course(s) outside of my degree program to be at least half-time for aid purposes? 

  Taking extra courses outside your degree program to maintain half-time status for certain aid purposes is an option. However, remember that Federal Financial Aid Direct Loans for graduate students will only recognize the courses required for your degree program. For all other aid programs, it's essential to meet program enrollment criteria. If you're unsure about these requirements, please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid. Also please remember there is a maximum number of credits/time frame for which a student can receive most financial aid.  Taking non-required coursework can potentially impact your ability to complete your degree with financial aid.  

• What if I make a mistake and register for a course that does not meet requirements?

  After registration, the Financial Aid Office will begin reviewing enrollment and will let you know if a course for which you registered cannot be used to determine your aid eligibility. You will have time to drop that course before the term begins and add another in its place. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure you are enrolled in courses that are required for your degree and the number of credit hours for federal aid program funds you are receiving.

  Students can also look in DegreeCheck under the “Not Counted” heading to find out if a particular course(s) will not be financial aid eligible.

• What happens if I change my program for a future term?

  Financial aid is not retroactively adjusted for prior terms. Students may change degree programs as needed for future terms. The CPOS process only looks at the program declared for each term.

• How do Certificates work with CPOS?

  Stand alone certificate programs are not currently eligible for aid. If the course(s) taken are also required for a declared degree, those required course may count for aid under the student's degree program.  Also, if these courses can count as a needed  and required electives, they can also count for aid purposes. Additionally, if these courses are taken on top 12 required credits, they would not impede the student receiving full aid.

• How will post-bacs be affected?

  A degree-seeking post-bac will not be affected so long as courses taken are within their declared program of study.

   

• Can a student still double major?

  Yes, but both majors must be declared and all courses taken must go towards their degree completion.

• Can I retake a class under CPOS?

  If the course remains required for your program, it can be allowable. Please note, the U.S. Department of Education mandates a class being repeated may be included when determining the student’s enrollment status for financial aid, if it is not the result of 1) more than one repetition of a previously passed course, or 2) any repetition of a previously failed course if subsequently .

• What about minors?

  Coursework for minors that are specifically requied for the degree program count as eligible coursework for CPOS.  Coursework for minors not specifically required would not count for CpoS unless these courses can count as a needed and required elective. Additionally, if these courses are taken on top 12 required credits, they would not impede the student receiving full aid.