CPOS Frequently Asked Questions

A program of study consists of courses required to complete a specific degree, inclusive of required coursework within the major, concentration, minor and catalog. The specific courses for a student are identified through a degree evaluation tool (DegreeWorks).

Disbursement of Federal Aid (i.e., Pell Grant, SEOG, Teach Grant, Work-Study, and Direct Loans) is based on coursework that counts toward the 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

Students must work closely with the academic advisor to understand the requirements of their declared major/minor and ensure the classes they register for meet these requirements. Students identified as enrolled in courses impacted by CPOS will be notified via their Albany State University email. Note that students will only be notified if CPOS impacts their Federal Financial Aid eligibility.

The appropriate course substitution paperwork must be completed and approved by all necessary parties prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. The census date is typically the following week after attendance verification and reinstatement period each term, but can vary. If you qualify for a substitution and believe you may be impacted by this deadline, please visit Ram Central, 1st level of the C building on the West Campus, to get more specific information.
Minors or concentrations must be officially declared and reflected in the degree evaluation prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. . The census date is typically the following week after attendance verification and reinstatement period each term, but can vary. If you qualify for a substitution and believe you may be impacted by this deadline, please visit Ram Central, 1st level of the C building on the West Campus, to get more specific information.
Dual majors should be declared early in your educational pathway at ASU and must be officially declared and reflected in the degree evaluation prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. The census date is typically the following week after attendance verification and reinstatement period each term, but can vary. If your degree program is not listed correctly in Banner, work with your advisor to make them aware of your request and ensure you complete the Request for Change your Major/Minor/Concentration. This form can be found online at: https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/50638853725968. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner.
These courses count for federal financial aid only if they are required in the student’s program of study. However, if a student is enrolled as a regular student, in an eligible program of study, and is required to take a prerequisite course prior to enrolling in a required course for the program, the prerequisite may be included in the federal aid determination. For example, and English learning support class may be required before a student can register in ENGL 1101. No more than a maximum of 30 attempted hours inclusive of remedial / learning support and prerequisite coursework combined can count for federal financial aid purposes. You or academic advisor should notify the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) regarding a required prerequisite. The OFA will determine whether the prerequisite course counts as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes.

It is essential that your major, minor, or any concentration are officially declared and noted in your student record. If you have been planning to declare or change a major, minor, or concentration, but have not yet done so, you should consult your academic advisor immediately and complete the Change of Major form located online at: https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/50638853725968. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner.

  • Courses can only be determined to be eligible based on the officially declared major, minor, or concentration as noted in 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.

There are certain time periods when a student can change their program/major, typically at the end of one term and before the beginning of the next term. If you do not put in a request in accordance with these deadlines, your change to program of study/major request may not be processed until the following term. A student can contact the Registrar Office to check on the status of a change of program of study/major. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner.

Payment for coursework will be disbursed as described below:

  • If a Federal Pell Grant or Federal SEOG is disbursed on or before the census date of the term, only eligible coursework toward the official program of study on record can be considered to determine the enrollment period. The census date is typically the following week after attendance verification and reinstatement period each term, but can vary.
  • If a Federal Pell Grant or Federal SEOG is disbursed after the census date of the term, only eligible coursework toward the official program of study on record can be considered to determine the enrollment period. The census date is typically the following week after attendance verification and reinstatement period each term, but can vary.
  • For Federal Direct Loan purposes, your eligibility is based on your official program of study on record as of the date of disbursement.

Please note: If you change your program of study after the census date, and the current semester coursework no longer applies toward your new program of study, your previously disbursed federal aid may be adjusted/reduced. If you decide to make application for a Federal Direct Loan after the census date and you are not enrolled at least half-time in eligible coursework that applies toward your new program of study, you will not be eligible for the Federal Direct Loan.

If you need to take courses that are not in your program of study/major, you may not be in the program that best fits your educational goal. Please meet with an Academic Advisor to ensure you are in the correct program of study. Changing your program of study/major should only be done after a discussion with your advisor and should be done with great caution because it may impact your eligibility for future semesters. Prior to submitting your Request to Change your Major/Minor/Concentration, be sure to consult with the RAM Central Staff to check the impact of your decision on your financial aid, as changing from one program to another as it can cause you to lose financial aid eligibility by reaching the maximum time-frame for completion of degree (150% rule). All major changes should be done in advance, and typically between terms for a future term. If a major change is requested after determination that a course is not eligible for financial aid, the change of major will likely not be considered.
Only courses that are part of the program of study, as documented in the degree evaluation tool (DegreeWorks), are eligible for federal aid. For example, if you only need 3 hours to graduate but you choose to register for 6 hours to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan, you will not be eligible for the Direct Loan. Though your federal aid does not include ineligible coursework, you may still qualify for state and institutional aid based on your total enrollment. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the agency to determine how the funding can be used.
Study abroad courses may count for federal financial aid if they apply towards outstanding coursework in your 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.
Federal Financial aid will be disbursed based on the 8 credit hours that apply towards your officially declared program of study. The Federal Pell Grant award will be reduced from a full-time enrollment award to a half-time enrollment award. You may be eligible to receive Federal Loans because you are enrolled at least half-time status in eligible coursework (see Enrollment Status Chart above). 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
No. To receive a federal student loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time (see Enrollment Status Types chart above) in credit hours that apply toward your official program of study. Because only 4 credits apply to your program of study, you are not enrolled at least half-time to be eligible.
Financial aid will disburse based on full-time enrollment status (see Enrollment Status Types chart). If at least 12 of your credits apply towards outstanding requirements in your officially declared program of study, then you are still considered a full-time student for federal financial aid purposes. If eligible, you may receive a full-time Federal Pell Grant and Federal Student Loans, if you have accepted them and done the required application items. Financial aid will pay for any academic related charges, including the charge for the additional class. However, if the financial aid you receive is not enough to cover all tuition costs, you are responsible for paying the remaining balance.

Your federal aid is based on coursework that applies toward outstanding requirements in your program of study. Therefore, your federal aid may be reduced. You have two options:

  1. Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your academic options. If the semester has not started, it may be in your best interest to drop the ineligible course(s) and enroll only in courses in your officially declared program that will be eligible for federal financial aid
  2. If the semester has already begun and your financial aid does not cover all of your tuition costs, you will be responsible for the outstanding balance owed. In some instances, your financial aid, although it has been reduced, is still enough to pay for your course(s) that are not in your program. If not, the ineligible coursework can be paid for out of pocket or you can set up a payment plan in accordance with the Nelnet payment plan terms, conditions, and deadlines
You are not eligible for federal financial aid. If eligible, you may utilize any scholarships toward your balance owed. 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. ASU also offers a payment plan option for students to help ease the burden of paying for college, in accordance with the Nelnet payment plan terms, conditions, and deadlines. However, if you plan on receiving financial aid in the future, then it is imperative that you maintain a good GPA and Pace of Progression. A failure to do so, even in terms where financial aid is not used to pay for coursework, could result in financial aid suspension.