The U.S. Department of Education requires that colleges ensure federal financial aid (Pell Grant, SEOG, Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan) is only used for classes that count toward a student’s degree. To do this, SSU runs a Course Program of Study (CPoS) process to identify courses required and not required for your degree.
This means that only courses required for your program of study or major will be eligible for federal financial aid.
Courses not required for your program of study or major may reduce the amount of available aid, requiring you to pay for ineligible classes out of pocket or with non-federal financial aid.
The Impact on Your Financial Aid
Federal Financial Aid
You can only receive federal financial aid for courses that count toward your declared program of study. If your federal financial aid is reduced because you are enrolled in courses that do not count toward your program, you should review your Degree Works audit and adjust your schedule as needed. You may also contact your academic advisor to discuss your options.
Examples:
- If you are eligible for a Pell Grant and enroll in 12 credit hours, but only 9 hours apply to your program, your Pell Grant will be reduced to a three-quarter-time award based on the 9 eligible hours. You may still qualify for full-time state or institutional aid.
- Federal student loans require a minimum of 6 eligible credit hours. If you enroll in 6 hours but only 3 count toward your program, you will not be eligible for a federal student loan.
State and Institutional Financial Aid
State and institutional financial aid is not currently subject to the same regulatory restrictions; however, the cost of attendance for students will be reduced for courses that do not count towards the program of study. This may result in a lower amount of state and institutional aid a student may receive.
| Aid Type | Examples | Impacted by CPoS? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Aid | Pell Grant, SEOG, TEACH Grant, Work-Study, Direct Loans | Yes | Only courses that count toward your program of study are eligible for federal aid. |
| State & Institutional Aid | HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, Institutional Scholarships | Indirectly | Not directly restricted by CPoS, but your cost of attendance may be reduced if courses do not apply to your program, which can lower your total aid. |
| VA Benefits | GI Bill® and other VA education benefits | No | VA benefits have their own similar federal guidelines. Please see our VA Education Benefits page. |
Course Eligibility
Course eligibility for federal financial aid is based on your declared major listed in Degree Works. If you register for a class and it does not fulfill degree requirements for your program of study, it is not eligible for federal financial aid.
| Eligible Courses | Ineligible Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Scenarios
Scenario 1
Terry the Tiger is a sophomore seeking a BS in Biology. Terry is awarded Pell Grant, loans, HOPE, and outside scholarships. Terry enrolls in 15 credit hours. All courses are part of the Biology program of study and are eligible for financial aid.
Result: Terry confirms his classes and receives a refund.
Scenario 2
Terry the Tiger is a Management major. Two of Terry’s registered courses are not part of the Management program of study and are ineligible for financial aid. Terry is registered for a total of 15 credit hours, but can only receive aid for 9 credit hours (three quarter time status).
Result: Terry receives aid for 9 credit hours, but still owes the university a balance for the remaining 6 credit hours. He must pay the balance to confirm his classes.
Scenario 3
Terry the Tiger is a Sociology major. One of Terry’s elective courses is not required for the Sociology program. Terry is registered for 15 credit hours, but can only receive aid for 12 credit hours (full time status).
Result: Terry must pay the remaining balance OR must authorize excess aid (Title IV)
Although one course is not required, Terry is eligible for aid at a full-time rate and has sufficient aid to cover all of his charges. However, student authorization is required to use excess aid toward ineligible courses and confirm registration. Terry must be sure to complete a Title IV Authorization to confirm his registration using excess aid or pay out-of-pocket.
Scenario 4
Terry the Tiger is a senior seeking a BS in Computer Science Technology. Terry is graduating next term and only needs to take one more class to fulfill his Computer Science Technology program requirements. Terry is registered for 15 credit hours, but can only receive aid for 3 credit hours.
Result: Terry must pay the full balance of his tuition and fees. He would not be eligible for Federal loans because he is only enrolled in 3 hours that count towards his program of study. He could choose to use the payment plan offered through the Bursar’s office or take out a private loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a program of study?
A program of study consists of courses required to complete a degree, including prerequisite or learning support courses. The specific courses are based on a student’s chosen major and are identified through Degree Works.
- Example 1: BS in Criminal Justice = Program of Study
- Example 2: BA in Mass Communications with an embedded Social Media Certificate = Program of Study
- Example 3: BFA in Visual & Performing Arts with a Performing Arts Concentration = Program of Study
- Example 4: A minor in Sociology = NOT a Program of Study
- Example 5: A Certificate in Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership = *NOT a Program of Study
*Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification is an exception to this rule.
How do I know which classes are eligible?
You can check Degree Works in your PAWS account. Ineligible courses will be listed in the top section of your Degree Works audit as well as the Fall Through section.
All eligible courses will fall into a listed requirement in your Degree Works audit; if one of your registered courses is listed in the Fall Through section, it is not an eligible course.
Advisors will also email students prior to the start of term with notification of their ineligible courses.
How will courses required for a minor be treated?
Minors will only be eligible if they are required for the completion of your major. Stand-alone minors are not eligible under CPoS.
How will courses for double majors be treated?
Double majors are not covered by CPoS. Only courses required for your first program of study will be eligible for federal financial aid.
What if I need to take a Learning Support or Prerequisite courses for my major?
Prerequisite courses and support courses (classes below the 1000 level) are eligible for federal financial aid.
How will CPoS impact Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is based on total hours taken and not federal aid-eligible hours taken.
All hours will continue to count towards Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid recipients.
How will this affect study abroad courses?
Study abroad courses may be eligible if they apply towards outstanding coursework in your declared program of study, or if they are taken with at least 12 hours of other qualifying coursework.
I'm in ROTC. How will this impact me?
ROTC courses must fall within the allowable electives for your degree program or be taken with at least 12 hours of other qualifying coursework.
What if a course doesn’t count under CPoS but I think it should?
You should email or make an appointment with your advisor
to determine:
- If a course substitution form needs to be submitted;
- If you need to update your program of study/major; or
- If you need to drop the course and review alternatives.
I want to change my major. When should I do that?
All major changes will need to be made prior to the start of term for CPoS consideration. You have until the start of the part of term that you are enrolled in to complete a Change of Major form.
For example, if a student is enrolled in a 16-week full semester course and an 8-week 2nd mini-mester course, the last date that the student can submit a Change of Major form would be the before the start of the 16-week course.
*While you can technically submit a Change of Major form any time after the start of a term, the change will not officially apply until the following semester.
When is the last day I can update my schedule?
The last date to make adjustments to your schedule will be the last day of the Add/Drop Period for the part of term the class begins. Please see our Academic Calendars for more information.
For Example:
- Summer 2026 Full Session & 1st Mini-Mester: May 19th
- Summer 2026 2nd Mini-Mester: June 23rd
How will courses used to earn a Post Baccalaureate Teaching Licensure be treated under CPoS?
Coursework taken to complete the state requirements for Teacher Licensure count as eligible coursework under CPoS.
I need to repeat a failed class. Can I do that under CPoS?
Students may receive federal financial aid for a repeated course no more than two times. If you have a repeat a course for a third time or more, it will not be eligible under CPoS.
