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Enrollment Census at SDSU
One week after the semester's add/drop date, the Office of the Registrar officially verifies SDSU student enrollment and the number of units in which each student is enrolled. It is referred to as census.
The census date for your enrollment period is available from the Academic Calendar in the Class Schedule.
Initial Financial Aid Awards
If your initial award is made—
- before census it is based on the assumption that you will be enrolled full time.*
*Full time: 12 units for an undergraduate
9 units for a graduate student
- after census it is based on your actual enrollment status.
Enrollment and Award Adjustments
Census enrollment information is used to make award adjustments.
- Adustments are based on the number of units you take at SDSU.
- Units taken concurrently (at the same time) at a community college may be included with your units at SDSU.
To be considered—
- Audited courses do not count towards your financial aid units.
- Some enrollment changes do not affect award amounts.
Part Time Enrollment
If you are enrolled in 6 units or less at SDSU, you are considered part time.
- You will pay the lower registration fee
- If you originally paid full-time fees refer to the Class Schedule and General Catalog for the SDSU Refund Policy.
- Your cost of attendance will be adjusted to reflect your part time status.
- Your award may be affected.
If your award is adjusted —
- an Award Adjustment Notice will be placed on your AidLink account, and
- you will be sent an e-mail notification advising you to log on to AidLink.
The Effect of Enrollment on Financial Aid Programs
The table below lists some of the financial aid programs that may be affected by your enrollment status. Your eligibility for aid programs other than those listed in this table may also be affected.
Financial Aid Programs Affected by Enrollment
Student's
Class Level |
Programs Canceled or Reduced if Enrolled 7 to 12 Units |
Programs Affected if Enrolled 6 units |
Undergraduate or Teaching Credential |
• Pell Grant
• Academic Competitiveness
Grant
• National SMART Grant
• Cal Grant B Access
• Educational Opportunity Program
Grant
• Future Scholars Program
• Presidential Grant
|
• Cal Grant A or B Fee Assistance
• Cal Grant B Access
• Pell Grant
• State University Grant
• Presidential Grant
• Educational Opportunity Program Grant
• Future Scholars Program
• Loans when the amount is
affected by student's total
Cost of Attendance
|
Graduate |
• Not applicable for graduate students. |
• State University Grant
• Loans when the amount is
affected by student's total
Cost of Attendance
|
Before dropping units, we encourage you to consult with a Financial Aid and Scholarships counselor to see how your aid may be affected.

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