Federal Financial Aid Credit Census Policy

Policy Statement

The Financial Aid Office is required by the U.S. Department of Education to verify student enrollment at a specific date established by the University. Student enrollment status on this date becomes the official enrollment status for federal financial aid purposes.

Purpose/Scope

Federal regulations state that an institution of higher education must verify that a student is enrolled and has attended courses in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. The Financial Aid Census Date occurs immediately following the drop period for the fall and spring semesters and on July 15 during the summer semester.

Applicability

This policy applies to all enrolled students.

Definitions

Federal Financial Aid Credit Census — The Federal Financial Aid Credit Census is the established date the University takes a ‘snapshot’ of all student enrollment which becomes the ‘official enrollment’ used for federal financial aid eligibility. Full-time student enrollment for federal financial aid purposes is 12 credits, regardless of your level of study. 

Policy Procedures

The Financial Aid Office will verify enrollment status for federal financial aid eligibility immediately following the end of the drop period. Summer census will occur at the end of the day on July 15. Student federal financial aid will be adjusted as of the census date. No adjustments will be made to federal financial aid because of enrollment changes after the credit census date, unless a student withdraws from all courses or if loans have not yet been disbursed and the student dropped below six credit hours.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Federal Financial Aid Credit Census

Contact Information

Financial Aid Office email or (585) 395-2501

History (in descending order)

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2025-03-06