How Course Credits Can Affect Financial Aid Status

You must enroll in at least 6 credits for  your financial aid to disburse to your student account. Your financial aid may be adjusted if you do not enroll full-time. Enrollment for financial aid purposes is measured after the deadline to add classes each quarter. Students enrolled less than full-time as of the add deadline date will have their aid adjusted as described below. Enrollment changes after the third week will not result in financial aid adjustments unless:

  • financial aid is awarded after the third week;
  • you receive all W grade notations; or
  • you withdraw from the university before the end of the term

Credit values for financial aid eligibility are as follows:

  • Full-time: 12–15 credits (you must obtain the approval of your academic preceptor if you enroll in 14 or fewer credits).
  • Part-time: 6–11 credits (financial aid may be reduced).
  • Less than half-time: 5 credits and fewer—you are generally not eligible for financial aid, although some students may qualify to receive a partial Pell Grant.
You will be required to repay any financial aid you receive for quarters in which your aid is adjusted due to less than full time enrollment. You may also be required to pay financial aid received if you leave or withdraw from all courses during a quarter. Check with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, (831) 459-2963, for more information.

Failure to make adequate progress can also affect your eligibility for financial aid.  For more information, see Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress at the Financial Aid and Scholarships web site.



Revised 08/12/15