The Course Program of Study (CPoS) is a U.S. Department of Education regulation that requires that the student be enrolled in an eligible degree-seeking program to receive state or federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study compensation, etc.).

To qualify for federal and state financial aid, the student must be enrolled in courses that are applicable toward the student’s degree.

If a student is enrolled in courses that are not required to complete his or her eligible degree, the student’s financial aid award could be prorated or canceled as required by the U.S. Department of Education.

What is CPoS?

Course program of study (CPoS) refers to all courses needed to earn your degree: general education requirements, major requirements, and elective courses needed to reach the required credit hours to complete your degree. The credit hours associated with such courses will, in this article, be referred to as CPoS qualifying hours, or simply qualifying hours.

Only courses needed to complete your degree in your program count as qualifying hours towards your enrollment status for federal financial aid (Pell, SEOG, Federal Direct Student and Parent, PLUS Loans, and Federal Work Study) and state aid programs (Tennessee HOPE, Tennessee GAMS, Tennessee Aspire, Ned McWherter, and Tennessee Grant Program).

If you enroll in enough qualifying hours in your program of study to have full-time student status, you will be eligible for your maximum state and federal aid, and you can take additional courses whether or not they're in your program of study.

How Does CPoS Affect My Financial Aid Eligibility?

If you are enrolled in 12 CPoS qualifying hours in a semester, you are eligible for maximum Federal and State awards. You must be enrolled in at least 6 CPoS qualifying hours to qualify for federal loans.

  • If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and are registered for 9 to 11 qualifying hours, the Federal Pell Grant will be reduced to a three-quarter time award. If you are registered for 6 to 8 qualifying hours, the Federal Pell Grant will be reduced to a half-time award. However, in both cases you may be eligible to receive full-time institutional scholarships.
  • If you are eligible for TN state grants or scholarships and are registered for 9 to 11 qualifying hours, the TN grants/scholarships will be reduced to a three-quarter time award. If you are registered for 6 to 8 qualifying hours, the TN grants/scholarships will be reduced to a half-time award. However, in both cases you may be eligible to receive full-time institutional scholarships.
  • Federal Direct Loans for undergraduate students require 6 qualifying CPoS credit hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does CPoS impact me?

CPoS may potentially impact any student who receives state or federal aid including loans.

Does CPoS impact my institutional financial aid?

CPoS does not affect institutional financial aid including EQB awards and the Vice-Chancellor’s, Benedict and Wilkins Scholarships. CPoS only applies to state and federal aid, including Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Federal Direct Student and Parent (PLUS) Loans, HOPE Scholarships, and TSAC Grants/Scholarships.

How do I know if my classes count as CPoS qualifying hours?

Courses necessary to earn your degree count as CPoS qualifying hours. This includes courses necessary to complete your general education requirements, courses necessary to complete your major and any other classes needed to reach the 128 credit hours required for graduation.

What if I want to change my major?

A student’s eligibility under CPoS will be evaluated each semester after the drop period ends–this period ends on the 21st day of classes. The student’s declared major(s) at that time will be used to determine the student’s number of CPoS qualifying credit hours. So it is important that students officially declare through the Registrar’s Office any majors they are pursuing prior to the 15th day of classes in any semester.

Does this mean a student cannot pursue a minor?

Absolutely not. Minors will remain an important component of a Sewanee degree for many students.  However, courses taken only towards the completion of a minor do not count towards qualifying CPoS credit hours. However, in some cases courses used towards minors may qualify as elective hours under CPoS (see below).

Can I take elective classes?

Yes, as a liberal arts college, Sewanee requires students to complete 128 credit hours to be awarded a degree. For students with a single major, this means they will likely have between 36 and 48 credit hours of elective credit. However, once you complete the electives necessary to reach 128 credit hours by graduation, additional electives will not count towards qualifying CPoS credit hours.

What if I have two majors?

All of the courses required for both declared majors will be included in your CPoS qualifying hours as long as both majors are still in progress. However, once you have completed a major, courses required for additional majors do not count towards qualifying CPoS hours. However, these courses may qualify as elective hours if you have not yet completed the 128 credit hours necessary for graduation.

How does CPoS impact Study Abroad?

CPoS applies to study abroad in the same way as your courses at Sewanee. If you are studying abroad, please determine whether the programs you are considering would allow you to take 12 qualifying credit hours. Please note that it may be necessary to translate international credit hours into US equivalents before making this calculation. The staff in the Center for Global Citizenship can assist you with this conversion.

What do I do if I’m enrolled in the wrong courses?

If you believe you might not be enrolled in the right classes for you to receive your full financial aid, you should speak with your academic advisor to determine if it is necessary for you to change your course registration. The last day to register for a new class (with instructor permission) is the 10th day of classes each semester.

Can the Financial Aid Office tell me if I’m in the right courses?

The Financial Aid Office cannot advise you about your course schedule. Speak to your advisor to make sure your current and planned coursework will meet CPoS requirements.

Can I appeal a determination that courses do not apply to my major?

No, you may not. There is no appeal process for courses that do not satisfy a requirement of your program of study. Because of this, it is important to be proactive in turning in appropriate paperwork to the Registrar’s Office. If the department of your major has approved you to take a substitute course for any major requirement, the official Program Modification form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the 8th day of classes for your course to potentially be included in your CPoS qualifying hours.

How will I know if I’m meeting CPoS eligibility requirements?

It is your responsibility as a student to understand and meet these requirements. Advisors can provide assistance and online portals such as SODA provide information.

What if I decide to drop one of my CPoS qualifying classes?

Courses that are dropped in the drop period-this period ends on the 21st day of classes-will not provide CPoS qualifying hours. After the 21st day of classes, if you withdraw from a CPoS qualifying class, the hours will still qualify as CPoS hours for that semester.