Central Michigan University students may not receive federal financial aid for classes that do not count toward their degree program, a policy administrators discussed during the Academic Senate meeting Oct. 20.
The rules mean students taking classes outside their programs of study could have to pay for those credits another way.
However, students may still qualify for some state aid and university scholarships for those courses.
Sarah Kasabian Larson, Director of Scholarshipsand Financial Aid, and Evan Montague, executive director of Academic Advising & Student Success, said that the university is working to ensure students’ aid follows those requirements.
“This federal regulation essentially states that the federal student aid that a student receives needs to be used for courses that count towards their program of study,”Larson said
Senator Alejandra Rengifo asked how the rules affect students taking exploratory classes or pursuing minors outside their majors.
Montague said that students can still explore different courses before deciding on a major.
“A student has up to 56 credit hours to explore, to find their connection, to find their place,”Montague said.
Students can also change majors, but courses that do not count toward their program requirements may not qualify forfederal financial aid. Some state aid programs, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and university scholarships may still cover those courses.
Larsonsaid academic advisors will review students remaining degree requirements and document which courses count toward their programs, especially for students nearing graduation or changing majors.
For the 2026-27 academic year, Larson identifed four students taking courses thatdid not count toward their programs of study.
She said that the Office of Scholarships and Financial aid regularly update their system to ensure those courses aren’t counted within federal aid.
Faculty raised concerns about delays in reimbursements for study abroad programs and student conference travel. Senator Kristina Rouech said she had waited nearly five months for reimbursement after leading a program in May.
Administratorssaid they were working to improve the process and had posted a study abroad coordinator position in early October. The Senate voted to invite Study Abroad Director John McGee to a future meeting to discuss the office’s strategic plan.
General Education Committee changes: The Senate approved changesto the General Education Committee’s membership to better represent the different areas covered by Central Education courses. A separate transition plan addresses staggered terms and term limits for committee members.
CMU President Neil Mackinnon will be hosting a State of the University address at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the Plachta Auditorium.
