A student who exceeds the maximum number of hours allowed for program completion is determined to be ineligible for future financial aid consideration. Students must complete their program at CU within a total number of attempted credit hours that does not exceed 150% of the total hours required for program completion. This total includes all attempted coursework at CU and all transfer work from other schools including military credits, regardless of any change in program. All attempted credit hours are considered in the calculation even if the student did not receive federal aid for the coursework.

Undergraduate students enrolled in a 124 credit hour degree program are eligible for 186 credit hours of attempted study.

Undergraduate students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are eligible for 231 total credit hours of attempted study and must submit a copy of their Degree Works audit or a statement from an advisor indicating the number of hours left to complete this degree for the second program to Office of Financial Assistance Services for approval.

Graduate students enrolled in a 33 credit hour degree program are eligible for 50 credit hours of attempted study. MSBS tracks requiring 48 credit hours are eligible for 72 credit hours of attempted study. MSBS tracks requiring 60 credit hours are eligible for 90 hours of attempted study.

Graduate students pursuing a second master’s degree are eligible for 100 total credit hours of attempted study; 48 credit hour tracks are eligible for 122 credit hours of attempted study. All graduate student’s pursuing a 2nd master’s degree must submit a copy of their Degree Works audit or a statement from an advisor indicating the number of hours left to complete this degree for the second program to Office of Financial Assistance Services for approval.

Transfer students are initially considered to be eligible for financial assistance. They are evaluated at the end of each term.

Returning students who were not meeting SAP standards when they left must submit an appeal. Those who have had a previous appeal approved are held to the terms of that appeal when they return. A review of the student’s probation conditions, academic plan (if applicable), and degree plan will be completed prior to awarding aid.

Students who reach these maximums without completing the degree program will have an excessive hours status and will be denied further financial aid consideration, until the degree requirements have been satisfied. Students denied federal aid due to excessive hours may submit a Financial Assistance Appeal Form with the required documentation explaining the circumstances for the excessive hours.