Pell Grant and schedule changes

The census date for the 2026 winter semester is Friday, January 30, 2026.

The census date is the day the SC4 Financial Aid Office confirms how many credit hours you are officially enrolled in. Your Federal Pell Grant amount for Winter 2026 will be based on the number of credits you are enrolled in on January 30.

What this means for you:

What happens if you add classes AFTER January 30?

If you add a class after the census date:

· Your Pell Grant will not increase to cover that class.

· You will be responsible for paying for any additional charges not covered by the aid you had on January 30.

Your Pell Grant may change if you add, drop or withdraw from classes on or before January 30.

Your Pell Grant is based on the number of credits you are enrolled in on January 30.

For example:

· If your financial aid was awarded based on full-time enrollment (12+ credits)

· But you are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits on January 30 → Your Pell Grant will be reduced, and your total financial aid package may also decrease to match your actual enrollment.

This could result in you owing a balance to the College, so it’s important to check with the Office of Financial Aid before making schedule changes.

If you are not enrolled in any classes by January 30 you will have a personal census date.

· Your personal census date is the first day you register for classes for the semester.

· To receive the maximum aid you are eligible for, you should:

o Enroll in all classes you plan to take on that first registration day

· Classes added after your personal census date will not increase your Pell Grant or other aid.

You must attend your classes to receive aid

Federal regulations require that students attend each course to be eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV funds).

· If you do not attend a class, the financial aid for that class must be removed.

Thinking about withdrawing from a class?

If you need to withdraw from a course, please speak with the office of Financial Aid first. Withdrawing may reduce your financial aid and could create a balance owed. Students who withdraw from ALL classes may have to return some or all of the financial aid received. The Financial Aid Office determines this through a process called Return to Title IV Funds. Click here for more information on Return to Title IV funds.

Click here for more information on Return to Title IV funds.