Federal Aid That Could Be Affected

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Work-Study
• TEACH Grant
• Federal Direct Loans
  
  

Enrollment Status Guide

Your aid amount depends on how many eligible credit hours you take.

Federal Loans require at least half-time enrollment in eligible courses.

Pell Grants are pro-rated based on the number of eligible credit hours enrolled.

How CPOS Affects Your Federal Aid: Real Examples

Example 1: Pell Grant Reduction

You enroll in 12 credit hours, but only 9 count toward your major.

Result: Your Pell Grant drops from a full-time award to a three-quarter time award because only 9 hours are eligible.

Example 2: Loan Ineligibility

You enroll in 6 credit hours, but only 3 count toward your program.

Result: You do not qualify for federal loans, which require at least 6 eligible hours (half-time enrollment).

Example 3: Graduating Senior

You need only 3 hours to graduate but register for 6 hours to qualify for a loan.

Result: You will not qualify for the loan because the extra 3 hours are not required for your degree.

How to Protect Your Financial Aid

1. Work with Your Academic Advisor
   • Discuss your educational goals.
   • Plan which courses to take each semester.
   • Ensure all classes count toward your degree requirements in the JBU Catalog.
2. Officially Declare Your Major/Minor/Concentration
   • If you need to change your major or declare a minor, complete the necessary forms with the Registrar's Office.
   • Do NOT register for new program classes until the change appears in your student records.
3. Understand What Counts

   Classes that DO count:

   • Required major courses
   • Required minor/concentration courses (if officially declared)
   • Required electives (Core Curriculum)
   • Prerequisites for required courses (up to 30 attempted hours total)
   • Capstone courses, internships, honors courses (if required)
   • Study abroad courses (if they fulfill degree requirements)

   Classes that DON'T count:

   • Electives outside your program (once you have met your elective requirements)
   • Courses for an undeclared minor
   • Extra courses beyond degree requirements
   • Classes for a major you haven't officially declared yet

Special Situations

Changing Your Major

• Meet with your advisor first.
• Complete the Change of Major form before registering for new classes.
• Deadline: Changes must be official by the census date (typically the 11th class day for Fall/Spring).

Dual Majors

• Declare both majors early in your college career.
• Both must be officially recorded before the census date.
• Courses for both majors will count as eligible.

Minors and Concentrations

• Must be officially declared before the census date.
• Only count if required for your degree program.
• Optional minors added at the last minute solely to increase enrollment status won't make courses eligible.

Course Substitutions

• Work with your advisor to submit substitution paperwork to the Registrar.
• Must be approved before the census date.

Contact for help:

• Academic questions: Your Academic Advisor or the Registrar's Office
• Financial aid questions: StudentFinance@JBU.edu or visit the Student Financial Services Office.