Census Date
The census date typically marks the end of the Add/Drop Period for the semester. At 11:59:59pm on the last day of the Add/Drop Period each semester, the Financial Aid Office takes a "snapshot" of all students' enrollment to lock in their official enrollment for financial aid eligibility and reporting.
The number of credits a student is registered for as of the census date determines the amount of financial aid they will receive.
The Financial Aid Office will compare the number of credits enrolled as of the census date against the number of credits for which a student was awarded financial aid to determine whether they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for each listed aid program. Adjustments to aid will be made accordingly. Aid may increase, decrease, or be canceled.
Students who increase or reduce their credit load before the census date may have their financial aid adjusted, as appropriate, based on their enrollment level.
If a balance is created due to a reduction in aid, the student is responsible for payment.
Aid will not be increased if credits are added after the census date.
Roster Verification
Professors submit a class roster for verification at the end of the Add/Drop period. The roster indicates who is attending the class, who has stopped attending, and who has never attended. If a professor reports that a student never attended or stopped attending before the end of the Add/Drop Period, the aid will be adjusted.
Students must check their schedule before the Add/Drop Period ends to ensure they are officially enrolled in the courses they are attending. Students must attend all classes in which they are enrolled, or their financial aid will be adjusted accordingly.
Enrollment status or enrolled credit hours
- Full Time: 12 or more credits
- Three-Quarter Time: 9 to 11.5 credits
- Half-Time: 6 to 8.5 credits
- Less Than Half-Time: 1 to 5.5 credits
For more information, please review the Attendance and Walk-Away Policy.