What is CPoS?
CPoS stands for Course Program of Study. 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).
What types of Aid are affected by CPoS?
Disbursement of Federal Aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity 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 your financial aid office to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding.
How are Degree Works audits produced?
HSU implemented Degree Works and CPoS in Fall of 2023. A student’s Degree Works audit is scribed directly from the degree requirements listed in the HSU course catalog corresponding to the student’s entry term.
When registering for classes what should I look for to be proactive and prevent financial aid issues?
After registering for classes for a future term we encourage you to look at your Degree Works Audit. All classes you are enrolled in should be showing as a requirement for your Liberal Arts Core (LAC), major or minor. If you see any classes (“IP”=In progress) showing up in the “Fall Through – credits excluded” block that would be a red flag the course is not counting for your degree and thus likely won’t be covered by financial aid. Appropriate actions outlined in the following questions might need to be taken or you might want to change your schedule to find another course that is applicable for your intended program of study.
What about courses that will be substituted and thus become a part of the student’s program of study?
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. A faculty advisor will email the appropriate program director for approval if a course substitution/waiver/etc. is needed. The program director enters that course petition (substitution, waiver, etc.) into the Degree Works System. The dean then approves or denies. Once approved by all appropriate parties the registrar’s office makes the necessary changes to the student’s Degree Works audit. (This process normally takes up to a week from the time the program director submits the request). **If changes are made after census date please alert the registrar’s staff so a revised audit can be provided to the financial aid office.
How will courses needed for completion of minors or concentration be treated?
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. We encourage students to review their academic record on their MyHenderson account to ensure all information is accurate. If a student needs to update/change/add a major, minor, concentration, etc. they can do so by filling out a form online or in the registrar’s office. Link to online forms can be found here: https://hsu.edu/academics/registrar/forms/ **If changes are made after census date please alert the registrar’s staff so a revised audit can be provided to the financial aid office.
How will courses needed for dual majors be treated?
Dual majors must be officially declared and reflected in the student’s MyHenderson account and on their degree evaluation prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. 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://hsu.edu/academics/registrar/forms/ . Do not recommend you register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner.
How do certificates work in relation to CPoS?
Coursework applicable to optional certificate programs is not eligible for Federal Aid.
What about capstone courses, internships, honors course and prerequisite coursework?
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. 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 financial aid office regarding a required prerequisite.
I’m a student pursuing a Bachelor of Integrated Studies. How does CPoS work for me?
Because the degree plan and requirements for this degree are unique for each student Degree Works and therefore CPoS do not work for students pursuing this degree. The advisor of record will need to submit an updated degree plan to the financial aid office for documentation each semester. Only courses specified on the submitted degree plan will count for financial aid purposes.
What about graduating seniors in their last semester?
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 financial aid office to determine how the funding can be used.
I’m enrolled in 12 undergraduate hours, but 4 of those hours don’t count towards my officially declared program of study. How does that affect my financial aid?
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. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the financial aid office to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding.
For the upcoming semester, I plan to enroll in 17 hours, which includes a 3 hour class that doesn’t apply towards outstanding requirements in my officially declared program of study. Will financial aid pay for the ineligible 3 hour class?
Financial aid will disburse based on full-time enrollment status. 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 Direct Student Loans, if you have accepted them and done the required application items.
***While we are asking advisors to help guide students in taking steps to ensure courses they are taking are counting towards their degree and therefore applicable to financial aid funding it is ultimately the student’s responsibility. The student’s advisor will not be held responsible - the student must ultimately take ownership and accountability for their own schedule. Advisors should make appropriate notes to document how the student was advised to schedule.