Here are some basic rules about enrollment as it relates to financial aid.
Do I need to take 12 units?
Nope! You don't need to be enrolled full-time. However, if you take less than 12 units, your aid may be reduced or even canceled based on grant rules. For example:
- Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Grant are the only aid you can receive if you're enrolled in fewer than 6 units (half-time).
- The following types of financial aid do required that you are enrolled in 12 units:
- MiraCosta Promise
- Student Success Completion Grant
- What happens if I make changes to my schedule?
Adding or dropping courses may impact your aid. If you find it necessary to drop some of your classes, you may be required to return all or a portion of the financial aid you've received. If your financial aid has not been disbursed and you add or drop a class, your financial aid will be adjusted. If your financial aid has been disbursed and you add or drop a class before the add/drop deadline, your financial aid will be adjusted. If your financial aid has been disbursed and you add or drop a class after the add/drop deadline, there will be no change to your financial aid. - Are all of my courses eligible for financial aid?
No! All the classes you take must be included on your educational plan or be required for your major to keep your aid. Contact an Academic Counselor to update your educational plan if needed. Learn more about our Academic Counseling services. Learn more about maximizing your financial aid. - Enrollment Deadline: Students must be enrolled by the financial aid enrollment deadline to receive their grants. Learn more about maximizing your financial aid.
How your Enrollment Impacts your Pell Grant
Your Pell grant eligibility is based on the number of units you are registered in. Your eligibility will be based on something called enrollment intensity.
What is Enrollment Intensity
Enrollment intensity is a percentage that shows how many units you are taking compared to a full-time course load. This percentage will determine how much Pell Grant money you can get. Your award will be based on the number of units you're taking.
The chart below applies only to the Federal Pell Grant. Other financial aid, like the Cal Grant, will use enrollment categories like full-time, 3/4 time, and 1/2 time. See the chart for details.
| Units | Enrollment Category | Enrollment Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 12 (or more) | Full-Time | 100% |
| 11 | Three-Quarter Time | 92% |
| 10 | 83% | |
| 9 | 75% | |
| 8 | Half-Time | 67% |
| 7 | 58% | |
| 6 | 50% | |
| 5 | Less-than-Half-Time | 42% |
| 4 | 33% | |
| 3 | 25% | |
| 2 | 17% | |
| 1 | 8% |
Pell Enrollment Intensity Chart explained
- Full-Time (12 or more units)
- You get 100% of your Pell Grant.
- This means you get the full amount of money you're eligible for.
- Three-Quarter Time (9–11 units)
- You get 75% to 92% of your Pell Grant.
- This is a little less than the full amount, but still a good chunk!
- Half-Time (6–8 units)
- You get 50% to 67% of your Pell Grant.
- This is about half of the full amount.
- Less Than Half-Time (1–5 units)
- You get 8% to 42% of your Pell Grant.
- This is only a small portion of the full amount.
Remember: The fewer classes (or units) you take, the less money you're eligible for from the Pell Grant.
If you're not sure how this affects you, ask the Financial Aid Office for help! Visit the Maximize Your Aid page to learn how to get the most out of your financial aid.
