CSU, Chico | Financial Aid and Scholarship Office | Eligibility and Enrollment | Postbaccalaureate Enrollment Requirements

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Postbaccalaureate Enrollment Requirements

Guidelines for Postbaccalaureate Students

Your basic eligibility for federal and state financial aid is determined by the FAFSA. Estimated financial aid awards are based on your eligibility and need, and are offered based on full-time status. The number of units in which you are actually enrolled decides the specific amount of financial aid you receive.

At University Census, financial aid awards are revised to match eligibility based on the actual number of units in which students are officially enrolled. Awards may be reduced for students enrolled in fewer than full-time units.

If you have a bachelor's degree you are considered a postbaccalaureate student for enrollment purposes, but you may be considered an undergraduate for financial aid depending on your program.

  • See Types of Aid for details of all types of available aid at CSU, Chico.
  • See Student Financial Services for how enrollment affects fees. Fee charges are based on a different breakdown of units.
  • See the chart below to determine your financial aid eligibility based on your classification with the Graduate School.
If your program of study is: Master's Program
And your classification is:
  • Conditionally Classified
  • Classified
  • Advanced to Candidacy
You may be eligible for:
  • State University Grant (SUG)
  • TEACH Grant (for some master's programs)
  • Graduate Business Grant (MBA Fees Grant)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Work–Study

Enrollment Requirements at University Census
  • Full-time = minimum of 8 semester units
  • Must be enrolled in at least 4 semester units
If your program of study is: Credential
And your classification is:
  • Multiple Subjects
  • Single Subject
  • FLEX Program (if regularly matriculated)
  • Specialist/Services
You may be eligible for:
  • Federal Pell Grant (for students working toward first credential)
  • State University Grant (SUG)
  • Cal Grant (for some credential programs)
  • TEACH Grant (for some credential programs)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (if a dependent student)
  • Federal Work–Study

Enrollment Requirements at University Census
  • Full-time = minimum of 12 semester units
  • Half-time = 6 semester units
If your program of study is: Qualifying Credential
Qualifying Graduate
And your classification is:
  • Qualifying for Master's (eligible for aid for only one consecutive 12–month period)
  • Qualifying for Credential (eligible for aid for only one consecutive 12–month period)
You may be eligible for:
  • State University Grant (SUG)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Enrollment Requirements at University Census
  • Full-time = minimum of 12 semester units
  • Half-time = 6 semester units
If your program of study is: Second Bachelor's
You may be eligible for:
  • State University Grant (SUG)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Work–Study
  • Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (if a dependent student)

Enrollment Requirements at University Census
  • Full-time = minimum of 12 semester units
  • Half-time = 6 semester units
If your program of study is: Other program
And your classification is:
  • Adjunct enrollment through Continuing Education
  • Certificate Programs
  • CPA (qualifying for exam)
  • Minors
  • Pre–professional Programs
  • Second Undergraduate Major
  • Teachers Seeking Advancement
No Eligibility Students in these programs are NOT ELIGIBLE for financial aid funding.

Undergraduates are generally expected to enroll in and pass at least 12 units each semester. Graduate students enrolled in a master's degree program are expected to enroll in and pass at least eight units each semester.

If you enroll only part time, your aid will be automatically adjusted based on your number of enrolled units.

Students officially accepted into the credential program must be enrolled in a minimum of six units of required credential courses to receive a Federal Pell Grant. The Federal Pell Grant is not available for prerequisite courses, courses that are suggested as beneficial, or elective courses. View the list of Pell-Fundable Credential Coursework (PDF) to confirm your eligibility.

See Rights & Responsibilities for more information about enrollment and withdrawal requirements.

Open University units and all classes taken for audit do NOT qualify for financial aid.