Required Courses for Federal Financial Aid Policy
(This policy does not apply to award programs funded by Â鶹Porn or the State of Maryland)
Federal regulations require that students receiving federal Title IV financial aid must be enrolled in courses that apply to their degree program. Students enrolled in coursework not applicable toward their degree requirements could see a revision in their financial aid package. To remain eligible and receive the full financial aid package, students should enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours (full-time) within their degree program each semester.
These regulations apply to the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, parent PLUS, grad PLUS), and the Federal TEACH Grant. They do not affect award programs funded by Loyola, e.g., Loyola merit awards, Loyola non-need-based awards, Loyola need-based grants, Loyola athletic awards, and State of Maryland financial aid programs.
The Office of Financial Aid monitors course enrollment throughout the registration period through drop/add. While it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are taking classes required for their degree program, we will notify you about two weeks before the start of the semester if your enrollment could affect your financial aid package. Final course enrollment is monitored after drop/add and if aid adjustments are required, students are notified at their Loyola email address.
In general, students must be enrolled at least half-time to be considered for federal aid, however Loyola requires full-time enrollment for Federal Work-Study and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). If a student enrolls in courses not applicable to their program of study, it may result in receiving less or no federal financial aid. Enrollment status for federal aid is defined as follows: full-time (12+ credits); three-quarter-time (9 to 11 credits); half-time (6 to 8 credits); less-than-half-time (less than 6 credits).
Students are advised to use Financial Aid Self-Service to view enrolled credits and how they impact financial aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter what courses I take to receive federal financial aid?
Federal regulations stipulate that students must be enrolled in an eligible program and taking degree-applicable courses to receive federal Title IV financial aid. Therefore, federal aid can only be used for classes required for your degree program.
Which financial aid programs does this affect?
All federal Title IV financial aid programs are affected. This includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, parent PLUS, grad PLUS), and Federal TEACH Grant. It does not apply to Loyola funds, i.e., Loyola merit awards, Loyola need- and non-need-based grants and it does not affect Maryland State funds.
Will I be notified if I register for courses that affect my enrollment for financial aid?
Yes, while it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are taking classes required for their degree program, the Office of Financial Aid will notify you via your Loyola email account if your federal aid eligibility is affected. Notifications will be sent about two weeks before the semester starts.
Can I use Financial Aid Self-Service to see if my courses are eligible for federal financial aid?
Yes, log in to the Self-Service Portal and select the Financial Aid link from the main menu. On the Financial Aid homepage, click on “View your Financial Aid Credits” under the “Financial Aid Enrolled Credits” heading. Your current program will display, and you will be able to see your ENROLLED CREDITS, your TITLE IV CREDITS, and CREDITS IN TITLE IV PROGRAM.
- ENROLLED CREDITS = the number of credits for which you are registered
- TITLE IV CREDITS = the number of enrollment credits considered for financial aid
- CREDITS IN TITLE IV PROGRAM = indicates if the course is required for our academic program
Self-Service Portal Steps (Screenshots)
I am registered for 12 credits and 3 credits are not required for my degree, will my financial aid change?
Your federal financial aid eligibility will be recalculated based on 9 credits (the degree-applicable credits). If your federal aid changes, you will be notified by email at your Loyola email account. You can also view your aid revision through Financial Aid Self-Service. Your Loyola-funded aid will not change because you are registered for 12 credits (full-time).
I am enrolled in 15 credits and 3 credits are not required for my degree, will my financial aid change?
No, in this case your federal financial aid will not change because your enrollment status remains full-time based on 12 degree-applicable credits. And your Loyola-funded aid will not change because you are full-time.
Are my elective courses eligible for federal financial aid?
Elective courses are eligible up to the number of elective credits required by your degree program.
What if I take electives that are not required for my degree; will they be eligible for federal financial aid?
No, these electives will not be counted as part of your enrollment to determine your federal aid eligibility.
If I retake a class, will it affect my financial aid?
- Students receiving federal aid may repeat a course one time after receiving a passing grade. If you decide to repeat a required course with a passing grade for a second time, federal financial aid cannot be used for this course. Please remember that repeating classes may affect your satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
- You also need to request permission to repeat a course through the Academic Advising and Support Center (AASC).
I plan to study abroad, does this affect me?
Yes, the classes you take abroad must also be required by your degree program to be eligible for federal aid.
I have a Loyola scholarship and my parents have a PLUS loan, does this affect me?
Yes, a federal direct parent PLUS loan is federal aid, so this does affect you.
I only have a Loyola scholarship, does this affect me?
No, this federal requirement only applies to federal financial aid and not to awards funded by Loyola.
I am an international student, does this affect me?
No, international students are not eligible for federal aid.
I am a student athlete, does this affect me?
Only if you are receiving federal aid.
I had to revise my schedule; how can I tell if my new classes will be eligible for federal aid?
Log in to the Self-Service Portal and select the Financial Aid link from the main menu. On the Financial Aid homepage, click on “View your Financial Aid Credits” under the “Financial Aid Enrolled Credits” heading. Your current program will display, and you will be able to see your ENROLLED CREDITS, your TITLE IV CREDITS, and CREDITS IN TITLE IV PROGRAM.
- ENROLLED CREDITS = the number of credits for which you are registered
- TITLE IV CREDITS = the number of enrollment credits considered for financial aid
- CREDITS IN TITLE IV PROGRAM = indicates if the course is required for our academic program
Self-Service Portal Steps (Screenshots)
How do courses that do not apply to my degree affect my cost of attendance?
At Loyola, a student’s cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it will cost to attend full-time (12+ credits per semester, fall and spring); and is used to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. However, the federal government prohibits us from including courses not applicable to a student’s degree in COA. For example, if you register for 12 credits, but only 9 credits apply to your degree, we must adjust your COA accordingly to determine federal eligibility. COA changes may result in receiving reduced or even no federal financial aid.
What if I drop a class once the semester starts; will my aid be affected?
It depends on whether we are past the drop/add period of the semester. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions about dropping or withdrawing from a class.
What if I take a leave of absence or withdraw from all my classes after the semester starts; will my aid be affected?
It depends on at what point during the semester you stop attending all your classes. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions about dropping or withdrawing from all your classes.
Why is my Pell Grant showing as “Currently Ineligible” on my bill in Student Finance Self-Service?
It might be because you do not have enough TITLE IV CREDITS to receive the Pell Grant but more than likely it is because you have not selected an intended major. To declare an intended major, log into Self-Service and click on “Undergraduate Demographics.” Complete the Undergraduate Demographic Entry screen as necessary, including “Select a Major.” If you are undecided about your major, select “Undeclared.”
Who should I contact if I have questions about financial aid for my courses?
Please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Who should I contact if I have questions about courses required for my degree?
Please contact your academic advisor or the Academic Advising and Support Center (AASC).
I have officially declared a double major. Which program will be used to verify my required courses?
The program that is listed in Self-Service is used to verify required courses. Both majors will be used to verify your enrollment in required courses. Program information and degree requirements are available in Self-Service.
I am interested in a combined bachelor/master program; which courses will be used to determine my enrollment for federal financial aid?
As an undergraduate student the courses required for your bachelor's degree will be considered for federal aid. Graduate level courses may be included if required by your undergraduate program.
Can I get federal aid for my minor?
Only courses required for your current major and your degree program are eligible. Courses required for a minor may be eligible for financial aid if they also fulfill core, major, or elective requirements for your degree. Financial aid issues arise when minors are added or attempted to be completed after students have completed all major and core requirements and have earned the minimum number of earned credits to graduate. If you are going to declare a minor, do it early in your academic career.
Can I get federal aid if my major is Undeclared?
Yes, you are eligible if you are taking courses that fulfill your degree requirements. Make sure you log into Self-Service and click on “Undergraduate Demographic Entry.” Complete the Undergraduate Demographic Entry screen as necessary, including “Select a Major.” Make sure you select “Undeclared.”
How can I tell if my classes are required for my academic program?
Log in to the Self-Service Portal and select the Student Planning link from the main menu. From there, click on “Go to My Progress” under the “View Your Progress/Degree Audit” heading. Additional information is also available from the Undergraduate Student Planning User Guide and Undergraduate Student Planning Videos.
If I want to change my schedule, how do I know if the new classes apply to my academic program?
Log in to the Self-Service Portal and select the Student Planning link from the main menu. From there, click on “Go to My Progress” under the “View Your Progress/Degree Audit” heading. Additional information is also available from the Undergraduate Student Planning User Guide and Undergraduate Student Planning Videos.