Course Program of Study (CPOS)

• What is Course Program of Study?

  What is Course Program of Study?

  Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a federal rule that requires schools to only pay for classes that count toward your specific degree or certificate program. It is to make sure federal money (like Pell Grants and student loans) is used only for the classes you actually need to graduate. 

  The Processs: the counseling office reviews the classes you enroll in to verify that they count toward your declared major, degree, or certificate program. Your class schedule is compared to your Education Plan (EdPlan) or Degree Audit. If a class is not on that list, it will not be counted toward your federal aid eligibility.

  Proactive Tip: To avoid aid reductions, always check MyCoast to see if a class is not counting for federal aid. 

   

• What is An Educational Plan?

  What is An Educational Plan?

  An Educational Plan, also referred to as an EdPlan, is a roadmap you and your counselor create to list every class you neeed to reach your goal. It helps you track the classes you need to take from your first semester until you graduate.

• Are All Classes Eligible for Financial Aid?

  Are All Classes Eligible for Financial Aid?

  No, only classes that count toward your officially declared degree or certificate program (program of study) qualify for financial aid. If you take a "fun" elective or an extra class that is not part of your EdPlan, federal financial aid will not cover the cost of that specific course.  

  Check Degree Works: to see if a class is not covered by Federal Financial Aid.

  Exceptions: For 2025-2026 academic year, CPOS only affects Federal Aid (Pell, Federal Supplemental Grant, Work Study, and Loans). It doest not affect state or school aid like Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant, or the CCPG program. Starting with 2026-2027 CPOS will apply to both federal and state aid. 

• Check To Make Sure All Your Classes Qualify

  Check To Make Sure All Your Classes Qualify

  Check Your Classes:

  • Log into MyCoast
  • Review the list of the classes you are enrolled in that are eligible/not eligible for federal aid
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic counselor to switch to a class that is eligible for federal aid. 
• Next Steps: If You Have a CPOS alert

  Next Steps: If You Have a CPOS Alert

  Meet with an academic counselor at your home college to discuss your options. The home college is the school where you are pursuing your degree or certificate. They can help you:

  • Switch to a class that is covered by federal financial aid.
  • Drop the class that is not covered before the census/add-drop deadline.
  • Stay in the class, knowing that it will not count toward your enrollment status for federal aid.

  Schedule an appointment

• One Declared Program of Study

  One Declared Program of Study Across All Colleges

  A declared program of study is the official academic goal - such as a specific Associate degree, vocational certificate, or transfer pathway - that you have formally selected as your primary objective.

  Starting Fall 2025, Coastline, Golden West, and Orange Coast College are making things easier by using one official program of study for all three schools. This prevents confusion and speeds up your financial aid and counseling. 

  One District, One Program of Study: You will have just one official program of study across the entire Coast District. 

  Take Classes Anywhere: You can still take classes at any of the three colleges. If Coastline is your home college (the college where you are pursuing your degree or certificate, or transfer), you must enroll in at least one required class at their home college for fall and spring in order to receive financial aid. Financial aid will be paid by the home college.

  Changing Your Program of Study: To change your program of study, you must meet with a counselor at the college where you plan to graduate. Changes must be made at the beginning of the term and they will go into effect during the next term. For example: if you switch your program of study during the fall term, your new program will take effect at the beginning of the spring term.

  Note: You will only be allowed to make one change of program of study per academic year after your financial aid has been paid out.

  If You Receive Financial Aid: Your program of study must be declared at your home college (the college where you are pursuing your degree or certificate, and you must enroll in at least 3 units for the fall and spring. You will receive financial aid from your home college. (This rule does not apply to the CCPG waiver. Students can receive a CCPG waiver at all three colleges at the same time). Click here for more details

  If You Do Not Receive Federal Financial Aid: You will still need to declare only one program of study. However, you can take any classes you choose because you are not restricted by federal financial aid rules.