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Course Program of Study

Starting with fall 2025 registration, a new Course Program of Study (CPOS) process will be in effect.

To keep your financial aid and stay on track to graduate, all courses you enroll in should count toward your officially declared major.

What You Need to Do:

  • Review your program requirements before registering. 
  • Meet with a counselor if you need help choosing courses. 
  • Check your major and submit any changes ASAP. 
  • Avoid taking courses that don't apply to your program because they may not qualify for financial aid and could delay your graduation. 

Need Help? 

Act early to avoid problems later.

What is Course Program of Study (CPOS)?

CPOS impacts federal financial aid not the California College Promise Grant (BOG waiver). CPOS is a federal requirement that ensures students receive federal financial aid only for courses that apply to their officially declared program of study (such as a major, certificate, or degree). This helps students stay on track for graduation and ensures colleges comply with federal aid regulations.

Courses that do not apply to a student’s program—like unrelated electives, courses for a second major or minor, or general interest courses—may not be eligible for federal financial aid.

For more information regarding California College Promise Grant (BOG waiver) see below.

Is CPOS New?

Course Program of Study (CPOS) has actually been a requirement by the Federal Government for a number of years. Nationally, institutions are all moving toward this, in an effort to keep their federal funding for financial aid. Due to advancements in technology, we now have the tools necessary to be able to help students move toward program completion.

How does CPOS affect financial aid?

Under CPOS, federal financial aid (including Pell Grants and federal student loans) can only be applied to:

  • Courses that are required for your declared major, certificate, or degree program.
  • Remedial coursework, up to 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours), if it prepares you for college-level work and is delivered by AVC as part of your program.
  • ESL courses, which are exempt from the remedial coursework limit and can be funded even if not at the high school level.
  • Transfer courses, if they apply directly to your current program as listed in the AVC catalog.

Courses outside of a student’s declared program—such as unrelated electives or courses for a second major or minor—may not be aid-eligible.

Does CPOS affect my California College Promise Grant (BOG waiver), Promise Program, or other state aid? Will my classes still be paid for?

CPOS only directly affects federal financial aid such as Pell Grant, student loans and state programs that follow the federal rules such as Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant. However:

The California College Promise Grant (formerly BOG waiver) is not impacted by CPOS. If you qualify, it will continue to waive your enrollment fees, even if some of your classes don’t count toward your program of study.

If you're unsure how your specific aid is affected, we strongly recommend speaking with the Financial Aid Office. They can review your situation and help make sure your classes are covered.

What is considered remedial or preparatory coursework?

Remedial coursework includes classes that help prepare a student for college-level work but do not count toward degree or certificate requirements. This includes:

  • Basic skills or developmental courses
  • Certain prerequisites not directly required in a student’s current program

Students may only receive federal aid for up to 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of remedial coursework.

Will students be able to additionally “count” courses for double majors or minors?

It depends. In addition to CPOS rules, students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress, as defined by the Federal Financial Aid regulations that cover: Qualitative (GPA), Quantitative (Pace), and Maximum Timeframe (time to degree) standards. As a result, students may be able to fit in courses for double majors and minors, based on careful planning. Courses for minors can only count if the student’s GPS Pathway shows remaining elective courses.

Will students be able to additionally “count” courses that may not be needed for their General Education or primary major requirements, but are required as prerequisites for medical school, health professions, etc.?

The federal rules on prerequisite, preparatory and remedial and repeat coursework are complex. Please send students with such inquiries to the financial aid office to talk with their technician.

How will this impact students who change majors?

Students who change majors will be allowed to count courses that apply to their new major and General Education requirements. They should make their decisions wisely, however, because they will be subject to Federal Financial Aid guidelines regarding time to degree and maximum timeframe allowed. Financial aid eligibility is limited and has lifetime aggregate maximums. We want to see students complete their programs with remaining eligibility for future educational plans.

How does this impact transfer students who may have taken community college courses that do not transfer, but still lack courses for their major?

Financial Aid understands that courses taken at previous institutions may have been previously required at that previous institution. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to work closely with advisors and Financial Aid technicians to use their remaining Financial Aid most efficiently.

In cases when courses are only offered in certain terms (i.e., Spring only) and students are required to take less than full-time coursework as a result, what are their options?

In these types of cases, Financial Aid will be adjusted strictly according to the courses needed to complete the degree.

I am a faculty advisor. How does this impact my work with students?

Please note that CPOS only impacts financial aid eligibility, based on applicability of courses, so if you do not usually fill out Financial Aid applications, you will not be financially impacted by CPOS. However, as a faculty advisor, your recommendations in terms of major, minors, requirements, electives taken, timeline to graduation, etc., will be valued by students, and could impact the decisions they make. These decisions could impact their Financial Aid package. As a result, you can best assist students by being aware of the CPOS guidelines so that your students are not adversely impacted in terms of their ability to receive Financial Aid. On the Financial Aid Pell Recalculation Date each term, Financial Aid will calculate the student’s Financial Aid, based on what the student is registered for at that time. Ideally, advisors who have to review CPOS compliance will be asked to assist students prior to the start of the term. This is a shared responsibility, so please do your part.

How do I change my Major?

Go to Admissions and Records

Under the "Admissions Forms" section, click the link for "Information Change Form."

*Only fill out your name, 900# and new major information

Google sign the form or print the form, sign and date it, take a picture of the completed form and email the photo to registration@avc.edu.