Fixed Enrollment Date

Initial financial aid offers are estimated based on anticipated enrollment (assumed to be full-time for all students). Final amounts will be determined based on a student’s enrollment status as of the fixed enrollment date (the tenth day of classes) each semester.

Disbursement of Funds

A student’s financial aid will not disburse until their actual enrollment is the same as the enrollment on which their financial aid is based.  Financial aid funds are directly applied to tuition, fees, and residence hall charges appearing on a student’s account.

Enrollment Status

Enrollment status is based on the following credit requirements:

Status Undergraduate Students Graduate Students
Full-Time 12 or more Credits • 9 or more credits
• 6 or more credits and Graduate Assistantship
• 3 credit Course 5960, 6960, 5930, or 6930
3/4 Time 9-11 credits 6.75-8.75 credits
Half-Time 6-8 credits 4.5-6.5 credits
Less Than Half-Time Fewer than 6 credits Fewer than 4.5 credits

Reminder: To be considered for most forms of aid, students must be enrolled full-time.

Enrollment Status and Aid Impact

University policy requires that financial aid and scholarships are based on a fixed enrollment date (the tenth day of classes) each semester. The tenth day of classes is the last day on which a student is able to add/drop via the Student Administration System. The amount of a student’s financial aid awards and/or University scholarship for the semester will be based on the number of credits they are enrolled in on that date.

Enrollment Pell Grants All Other Grants Federal Direct Loans Work-Study University Merit Scholarships University Departmental Scholarships
Full-Time Enrollment Full Value Full Value Full Value Full Value Full Value Full Value
3/4 Time Enrollment Prorated Ineligible Up to full value depending on budget Ineligible Ineligible Varies based on scholarship criteria
Half-Time Enrollment Prorated Ineligible Up to full value depending on budget Ineligible Ineligible Varies based on scholarship criteria
Less Than Half-time Enrollment Prorated Ineligible Ineligible Ineligible Ineligible Varies based on scholarship criteria

Requesting Review of Eligibility

If your semester registration was finalized AFTER the tenth day of classes, and you wish to request a review of your file, please navigate to the Form Portal and complete the Financial Aid Fixed Enrollment (Day 10) Appeal Form prior to the deadline (two weeks after the close of the add/drop period). The appeal form will only be available on our website during these two weeks. Please note, appeals received after the published deadline will not be considered.

Students with Disabilities

Students who have had their less than full time enrollment certified by the Center for Students with Disabilities will be offered eligible aid based on federal regulations. Students should be aware of the following regulations:

  • Federal Pell Grant funds will be prorated based on the number of credits taken
  • Financial aid cost of attendance budget must be adjusted based on actual enrollment
  • Students must be enrolled at least half-time to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan Program
  • University policy stipulates that students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid (federal and institutional) with the exception of the Federal Pell Grant by the required deadline

Pop-Up Courses

Starting with the Fall 2023 semester pop-up courses (UNIV 3088) will not count towards Financial Aid Enrollment levels for graduate students.