You may continue to receive financial aid until you reach the maximum units or full-time equivalent semesters (FTES) allowed, whichever occurs first (See how FTES are calculated). All units you have completed at SDSU and at other institutions (which are transferable to SDSU), are counted. Your eligibility to continue receiving aid is determined at the end of the spring semester each academic year.

• Units are counted whether or not you received aid during the period in which those units were earned.
• Semesters of enrollment are counted as FTES whether or not you earned course credit.
• Maximum units and FTES are determined at the end of each semester.
• We will notify you when you have reached maximum units and/or FTES.

NOTE: You may request an appeal for an extension of eligibility for one or more semesters by submitting a Maximum Units/Semesters Appeal form, available in PDF format.  If your appeal is approved, you will receive aid only for courses required to complete your degree.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—

• The first undergraduate degree has been earned
• 150 units are completed
• 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed

Classified Graduate Students

Classified graduate or credential students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—

• A degree or credential has been earned
• 50 units are completed
• 6 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
• 4 semesters of thesis coursework have been completed

NOTE: Some graduate degrees require more than 50 units for completion, in which case the maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly. If you are a graduate student enrolled in a degree program requiring more than 50 units, or you need additional semesters of thesis coursework, consult with a financial aid counselor.

Doctoral Students

Doctoral students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—

• A degree has been earned,
• 100 units are completed,
• 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed.

NOTE:  Some doctoral degrees require more than 100 units for completion, in which case the maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly.  If you are a doctoral student enrolled in a degree program requiring more than 100 units, consult with a financial aid counselor.

Certificate Students

SDSU offers a number of nondegree programs leading to certificates. Students who enroll in courses leading to a certificate may be eligible for aid depending on the number of units and length of the course. To qualify, you must enroll at least half-time, and the length of the certificate term must be at least 15 weeks.  To see if your certificate is eligible, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Eligible students enrolled in eligible certificates may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—

• The certificate has been earned
• The total number of units attempted for the certificate exceeds 150% of the units needed to complete the certificate.

For example, a student enrolled in an eligible certificate course requiring 18 units may be eligible to receive financial aid until he or she completes the certificate or attempts 27 units, whichever occurs first.