Course Program of Study

CPoS impacts Undergraduate and Graduate students who receive state and federal aid.

CPoS takes effect Fall 2021. This means it impacts schedules and financial aid for the upcoming Fall semester.

CPoS might seem new to you, but it’s not. As technology advances in the world, the systems we use as an institution improve as well. Tennessee State University now has software that monitors CPoS compliance.

All state and federal aid including Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and HOPE Scholarships.

The federally required rule only allows courses that are in your program to be covered by financial aid. It will help you pass your classes, stay on course for your selected degree and graduate in a timely fashion with less stress. By taking courses in your degree, you increase your opportunity to understand and pass the required coursework.

It might impact your electives if you are enrolled in a course that does not fulfill your degree requirements. All degrees have different elective options and requirements.Please contact your advisor and look at Degree Works.

First, take a look at degree works. Next, review the courses for your declared major and compare them to what you have selected. Then add the courses that are in your major or minor and remove the wrong course. Also, make an appointment you’re your advisor.

If the course in question is not listed as a required course or an elective, the course will not be in compliance with CPoS. If you feel the course is required, contact your advisor or academic department.

The Financial Aid Office cannot advise you about your course schedule. Speak to your advisor to make sure you are in agreement with the CPoS rules.

No, you may not. There is no appeal process for courses that do not satisfy a requirement of your program of study. However, suppose a course has been approved as a substitution. In that case, your advisor needs to update Degree Works to reflect this officially. This will allow the course to count toward your federal/state financial aid eligibility. Please allow time for the updates approved by all necessary parties to reflect in the system. Additionally, certain courses/scenarios may not be accurately assessed by the system. It's important to meet with your advisor about your schedule.

Although the CPoS automated review process happens nightly, it can only review updates reflected on your account. Suppose the updates have been fully processed and your course is determined to be eligible. In that case, the CPOS alert/flag will be cleared within two full business days of the overnight CPOS process. Your financial aid will automatically update to reflect your new eligibility within two full business days of the overnight CPOS process. NOTE: Requests for major/minor changes are not immediate and require manual updates in the system. Please allow at least 5 days for major/minor changes.

The CPoS automated review happens every night. However, it will only reflect what is in the system.

Double majors must be officially declared and reflected in Degree Works by the census date (14th calendar day of a full term for fall or spring semester) to be included as eligible coursework for federal/state financial aid.

Minors must be required for the degree, or fulfill an elective. Minors must be officially declared and reflected in Degree Works by the census date (14th calendar day of a full term for fall or spring semester) to be included as eligible coursework for federal/state financial aid.

It's important to remember that financial aid will not cover the courses because you are not following CPoS rules. However, we offer payment plans for students during the fall and spring semesters to help lighten the load of funding your education. Suppose you plan on receiving financial aid in the future. In that case, you need to maintain financial aid satisfactory academic progress to avoid suspension of financial assistance.

Suppose the study abroad course applies towards your declared major/minor requirements. In that case, federal and state financial aid may cover the course.