Course Program of Study Requirement
Map your courses for financial aid eligibility
Stay Focused | Graduate on Time | Lower Your Costs
Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a U.S. Department of Education requirement that only considers courses counting toward a student’s program of study for financial aid eligibility. This federal requirement is not new but is monitored at ECU through a reporting process beginning with Spring 2024 registration.
Federal financial aid is only awarded for courses included in your program of study.
To receive a full financial aid award, your coursework must include a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate hours or nine (9) graduate hours from your program of study each spring and fall semester. If a student’s credit hours do not meet this requirement, financial aid eligibility is reduced. Also note that dropped classes may reduce your financial aid, and the timing of a change of major is crucial.
This new reporting process helps you lower the cost of your education and stay focused with financial aid, course registration and your graduation timeline.
Undergraduate Hours
| Total registered hours | Hours that count | Hours that don’t count | Student aid eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 | 0 | Full-time aid |
| 12 | 6 | 6 | Half-time aid |
| 16 | 12 | 4 | Full-time aid |
Graduate Hours
| Total registered hours | Hours that count | Hours that don’t count | Student aid eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 0 | Full-time aid |
| 9 | 6 | 3 | Half-time aid |
| 12 | 9 | 3 | Full-time aid |
Stay the Course:
- Know your degree requirements. Check the University Catalog.
- Review your Degree Works audit to see which of your courses count toward your program of study.
- Register for a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate hours or nine (9) graduate hours from your program of study each spring and fall semester.
- Meet with your academic advisor if you are considering changing, dropping or withdrawing from a class. Then check with your Financial Aid counselor as this may affect your aid.
- Contact any state and institutional aid programs or the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) to ensure you meet eligibility as many of these programs also follow the CPOS requirements.
Check your Status
Available during Spring 2024 Registration
- How to check Financial Aid Self Service for courses not eligible for federal financial aid
- How to see if a course is not counting for Financial Aid Eligibility in Degree Works
- Visit PiratePort to access Financial Aid Self Service and Degree Works