Financial Aid Enrollment (Census Date) Policy

Federal regulations and University of Idaho policy require that financial aid (including scholarships) be adjusted to reflect a student’s actual enrollment on the 10th day of classes (called census date). For Fall 2009 the census date is Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm. Your eligibility for the financial aid you have been awarded and disbursed will be reviewed based on your enrollment at that time. If you are not enrolled in the number of credits needed to receive your financial aid and scholarships at that time your financial aid awards may be adjusted.

Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 credits per semester for undergraduates, 9 credits for graduate students, 10 credits for law students. Half-time is 6 credits undergraduate, 5 credits graduate and law.  Note: Wait-listed courses do not count toward the credit minimums where financial aid disbursements are concerned.  We strongly suggest that you have an alternative registration plan to ensure that you are enrolled full-time on or before the census date of each term. 

If you are not enrolled in the correct number of credits on Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm you may lose financial aid. If your financial aid based on full-time enrollment has been disbursed to you and you are no longer enrolled full-time, you will be required to repay some of your financial aid. If your financial aid based on half-time enrollment has been disbursed to you and you are no longer enrolled half-time, you will be required to repay some of your financial aid.

If you intend to increase the number of credits you are enrolled in for the term, be sure to add the credits by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm to assure you receive your maximum financial aid. Credits added after that time will not be counted for financial aid.

Enrollment Requirements to Receive Financial Aid Awards:

• Scholarships and Tuition Waivers (including WUE):
  • Full-time by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm
• Grants:
  • SEOG, LEAP, ACG, & Smart Grants: Full-time by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm 
  • Pell Grant: Full-time (if less than full-time, the amount will be prorated) by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm
• Loans:
  • Perkins, Vandal, Staufenbeil, and Ben O. Braham Loans: Full-time by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm
  • Stafford Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS, Graduate PLUS, Private/Alternative Loans, and most Alaska Loans: Half-time by Friday, September 4th at 5:00 pm
  • Work-Study: You must be full-time to participate in work-study

For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid Services: