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Course to Program of Study (CPOS)

Course to Program of Study

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) regulations require that a student must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program to receive federal financial aid (Grants, Loans, FSEOG, Work Study). Funds will only be disbursed for the courses needed to fulfill the program of study requirements.

Students enrolling in courses that are not required to complete their degree could see their financial aid prorated and/or canceled as required by the Department of Education.

Check your Degree Check to ensure the courses you are enrolled are part of your program of study.  

Degree Check

Why is Course to Program of Study (CPOS) important?

Course to Program of Study (CPoS) is the process that is run to identify courses within a student’s program of study. This technology will compare the courses a student registers for each term with the degree requirements listed on their DegreeWorks worksheet. Courses that do not apply towards a student’s officially declared program of study will be ineligible for federal financial aid (Grants, Loans, FSEOG, Work Study).

Taking courses that are not required to complete your degree could result in receiving less or no federal aid or owing money back. Taking classes that are not in your Course to Program of Study for your officially declared major or minor (if required for the program) may result in a reduction to your overall financial aid package.
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Make sure your courses count

Before you register for classes, you can meet with your academic advisor to make sure that the courses for which you plan to register will count toward completing your degree and are eligible for federal and state funding.

Certain certificate programs may be ineligible for most Financial Aid, but special grant funding may be available to qualified students in these programs. Please contact your Academic Advisor to make sure you are in the program that best fits your educational goals. 


Students enrolled in courses impacted by CPOS will be notified via their  student email. Students will only be notified if CPOS impacts their federal financial aid eligibility. Please note, some portion of your federal aid may be prorated/reduced based on less than full-time status.


Check your courses via Degree Check

Enrollment Level and CPOS

Financial aid is initially awarded based on the assumption that undergraduate students will enroll full-time fall and spring semesters. Students may only receive federal financial aid for outstanding coursework that counts towards their officially declared program of study. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the agency to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding. Dropping 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 please contact Financial Aid.
Contact Academic Advising
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Frequently Asked Questions

Review your DegreeCheck and look for the "courses do not apply" section.  Courses listed in this section may not be covered with Financial Aid. Only classes needed for graduation in your current major will be covered, this includes prerequisite classes, including Learning Support and ESL courses (if otherwise eligible).

Students enrolled in courses impacted by CPOS will be notified via their student email. Students will only be notified if CPOS impacts their federal financial aid eligibility. Please note, some portion of your federal aid may be prorated/reduced based on less than full-time status.

The Financial Aid Department does not review appeal on individual courses. Please speak with your Academic Advisor and Faculty Advisor about a course modification. 

Electives must satisfy a requirement of your declared major. If you have been notified that an elective course us not counting toward your financial aid eligibility, contact your Academic Advisor.  They can reevaluate your program of study to see if an override is needed. 

Yes, developmental courses are eligible for financial aid funding up to 30 attempted remedial hours, to include ESL courses. 

Additional Support

Course to Program of Study (CPOS) works in conjunction with the student’s Degree Works audit. Therefore, it is important for advisors and students to refer to Degree Works. Requirements are based on the catalog year in effect when the student officially entered their program of study (when the major was officially declared at the time of admission.

If one or more of your courses does not meet a degree requirement, you should make a schedule adjustment.  If you are uncertain about making a schedule adjustment, please contact your Academic Advisor  to discuss your options. 

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