Course Program of Study (CPOS)

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Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a federal regulation that requires your federal financial aid to only pay for courses that apply toward your officially declared degree, certificate or transfer program. Beginning in Fall 2026, the Financial Aid Office will review all courses you are enrolled in each term to determine if they align with your declared program of study and adjust your financial aid eligible course load and financial aid award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Course Program of Study (CPOS)

Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a federal financial aid regulation that mandates that, to be eligible for federal financial aid, the classes you register for must apply toward completing your declared LBCC degree, certificate, or transfer program (AA, AS, AA-T, AS-T, or eligible certificate).

Federal financial aid can only pay for courses that are required for your program according to the LBCC catalog and your Student Educational Plan (SEP).

Why is LBCC required to follow CPOS rules?

The U.S. Department of Education requires all colleges receiving federal financial aid to only fund courses that help students complete their program.

LBCC must review your schedule every term before financial aid is finalized.

What financial aid programs are affected?

CPOS only applies to the following Federal Aid Programs:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
  • Federal Work-Study

It does NOT impact your eligibility for state or institutional financial aid such as Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG), California College Promise Grant (CCPG), or LBCC Scholarships.

How does CPOS affect my financial aid amount?

Your financial aid is based on the enrollment intensity of eligible units, not the total units you enrolled in. Enrollment intensity is defined as the percentage of full-time enrollment a student is taking of financial aid eligible units. Enrollment intensity is calculated by dividing the number of eligible units a student is taking by the full-time enrollment credit hours (12 hours at LBCC) and multiplying by 100%.

For example, a student enrolled in 12 units of which only 9 are deemed eligible for financial aid, will have an enrollment intensity of 75% (9 eligible units/12 units for full time status).

If classes do not apply to your major, they will not be counted toward financial aid.

What happens if I take a class that is not part of my major?

You can still take the class, but:

  • It will not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, but will remain eligible to be covered by the CCPG, if eligible
  • Your Federal Financial Ad may be reduced.

Do electives count?

Yes — but only if they are listed as allowable electives in your program requirements in the LBCC catalog or your Student Educational Plan.

For example, if your degree requires a “Humanities Elective,” Art History might count. A random course outside the elective category will not.

What is a Student Educational Plan (SEP) and why is it important?

Your SEP is your official roadmap to graduation created with an LBCC counselor.
Financial Aid uses your SEP and declared major to determine which courses are eligible.

Students without an SEP are at higher risk of registering for ineligible courses.

I’m undecided. Can I still receive financial aid?

To receive most federal and state aid at LBCC, you must declare an eligible major or certificate program.

Undeclared, non-degree, or “personal interest” enrollment is not eligible for federal financial aid.

I changed my major. What happens now?

After you change your major with Admissions and Records, only courses required for your new major will be deemed financial aid eligible. Some of your currently enrolled courses may no longer be eligible and will result in your financial aid being recalculated.

You should always meet with a counselor before changing your major.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

SAP is a federally mandated financial aid requirement that requires all financial aid recipients meet the following minimum progress standards:

  • Minimum GPA (2.0)
  • Successful Completion rate (67% of attempted units)
  • Maximum timeframe (150% of your program units)

Taking classes not required for your program can hurt your completion rate and Maximum timeframe, and can lead to financial aid disqualification.

Will repeated classes count?

In certain cases, financial aid can pay for repeating a failed course (if eligible for repeat)

Financial aid cannot pay for repeating a course you already passed more than once.

Do waitlisted, audit, or noncredit classes count?

No. These are not financial aid eligible:

  • Audit classes
  • Noncredit courses
  • Waitlisted courses (until officially enrolled)
  • Courses outside your major

What about prerequisite classes?

Prerequisite courses may count only if they are required for entry into a required course within your LBCC program.

Some cases may require counselor verification. Please speak with your counselor and financial aid if you have questions.

What if I drop a class?

Dropping a financial aid eligible course during the semester can result in a recalculation of your financial aid award to determine if you still qualify for federal grants and loans.

Always contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping a class.