Adding Classes

How is financial aid enrollment status calculated?

Financial Aid determines the amount of the Pell Grant based on a student’s Enrollment Status, which is measured by the number of eligible units (credit hours) the student is enrolled in each semester.

Credit Hours Enrollment Intensity (Semester)
12 (or more) 100%
11.5 96%
11 92%
10.5 88%
10 83%
9.5 79%
9 75%
8.5 71%
8 67%
7.5 63%
7 58%
6.5 54%
6 50%
5.5 46%
5 42%
4.5 38%
4 33%
3.5 29%
3 25%
2.5 21%
2 17%
1.5 13%
1 8%
0.5 4%

Financial Aid determines the amount of the Cal Grant based on a student’s Enrollment Status, which is measured by the number of eligible units (credit hours) the student is enrolled in each semester.

Units Enrolled Enrollment Status for Financial Aid
0.5 - 5.5 Not Eligible 
6 - 8.5 Half-time
9 - 11.5 Three-quarter time
12 or more Full-time

Financial Aid determines the amount of the Student Success Completion Grant based on a student’s Enrollment Status, which is measured by the number of eligible units (credit hours) the student is enrolled in each semester.

Units Enrolled Enrollment Status for Financial Aid
0.5 - 11.5 Not Eligible 
12 - 14.5 Minimum Amount 
15 or more Maximum Amount

For detailed information on your awards and disbursements, visit MyCerritos. Find out how to check for your disbursement.  For tentative dates for future disbursements, visit Disbursement Schedule.

How often does financial aid enrollment status get determined?

The Financial Aid Office identifies courses added every 1-2 weeks up until Census

The Financial Aid Office uses a census date each semester to determine the amount of Pell Grant and Cal Grant a student will receive for the semester. All enrollment will be locked on the financial aid census date at 11:59pm. Any enrollment adjustments (adds/drops) made after the financial aid census date will not be considered. Students may owe if they drop before census date and a charge will be posted on their student account.  Appeals may be accepted for late adds if there was an extenuating circumstance for adding late. You MUST submit your appeal by the last day of the semester to be considered.

Financial Aid Census Date Appeal

Submit Financial Aid Census Date appeal to  

Census Dates for 2026-2027
Fall 2026 Monday, September 14, 2026
Spring 2027 Monday, February 8, 2027
Summer 2027 Monday, June 7, 2027
Census Dates for 2025-2026
Fall 2025 Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Spring 2026 Monday, February 9, 2026
Summer 2026 Monday, June 8, 2026
Census Dates for 2024-2025
Fall 2024 Monday, September 16, 2024
Spring 2025 Monday, February 10, 2025
Summer 2025 Monday, June 9, 2025