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2026-2027

2025-2026

 

 

Federal Aid Changes

What's Changing?

The OB3 legislation introduces major updates to federal student loan programs, including changes to borrowing limits, loan repayment plans, and other federal aid provisions. Many of these changes cannot take effect until the U.S. Department of Education completes the required federal rulemaking process and issues final regulations.

As this process continues, additional guidance and implementation details are expected. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. For the latest updates and official information from the Department of Education, please visit Federal Student Aid’s OB3 Updates page.

Student Borrowing

Before July 1, 2026, students could borrow federal loans for as long as they were enrolled. After July 1, 2026, loan eligibility is based on how long your program is supposed to take. A two-year program gets roughly two years of borrowing – even if the student takes longer to finish.

This matters most for part-time students. Taking 9 units per term instead of 15 can stretch a two-year program into four years. The loans run out after two years either way.

Plus, new borrowers enrolled less than full time (fewer than 12 units) can only borrow in proportion to their unit load, similar to how Pell Grants already work.

Loan Type Note Rules Before July 1, 2026 Rules After July 1, 2026
Loan eligibility duration Major change Students could borrow for as long as they remained enrolled in 6 or more units and met all other criteria. Loan eligibility tied to program length. A two-year program gets two years of loans even if you have not completed your program.
Part-time loan amounts Major change A part-time student could borrow the same amount as a full-time student. Loan amounts prorated based on unit load. Half-time students get roughly half the amount.
Undergraduate loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) Little to no change $5,500 to $7,500 per year depending on year in school. $31,000 lifetime cap for dependent undergrads. Annual and lifetime limits unchanged
*Graduate student loans Major change $20,500 per year. $138,000 aggregate undergrad. Plus unlimited Grad PLUS up to cost of attendance $20,500 per year. New $100,000 lifetime cap on graduate borrowing. Grad PLUS eliminated. This doesn’t affect most Sierra College students directly, but students with transfer and graduate school goals need to know before they get there.
*Professional student loans (medicine, law, pharmacy) Major change $20,500 per year. $138,500 aggregate. Plus unlimited Grad PLUS up to cost of attendance. $50,000 per year. $200,000 lifetime cap. Grad PLUS eliminated.
Lifetime federal loan cap (all student borrowing combined) New Rule No single unified lifetime cap across all federal student loan types. $257,500 total across undergraduate, graduate, and professional loans combined.

*Fullerton College does not offer graduate student loans or professional student loans.

Parent Borrowing (Informational only, Fullerton College does not offer Parent PLUS Loans)

Fullerton College does not offer Parent PLUS Loans. This section is for informational purposes only.

Parents can now borrow a maximum of $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per child, across all years. Previously there was no cap and parents could borrow up to the cost of attendance. Families planning for transfer to a four-year school need to factor this into their long-term plan.

Loan Type Note Rules Before July 1, 2026 Rules After July 1, 2026
*Parent PLUS loans Major Change Parents could borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other aid, every year. No annual cap. No lifetime cap. $20,000 per year per child. $65,000 lifetime cap per child. Cap follows the student, not the school.

*Fullerton College does not offer Parent PLUS Loans. 

FAFSA Identity Fraud Protection

Beginning April 26, 2026, the federal government added a new step to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process to protect students from identity fraud. From this date forward, random applications will be selected for an identity check.

Being selected for an identity check does not mean you did anything wrong on your application. The identity checks are only being added to improve security and reduce fraud.

How will the identity checks work?

If your application is selected, you will receive a request to verify your identity by completing a short (just a few minutes) live camera check on your phone or tablet from Federal Student Aid (FSA). Be prepared to show a valid government-issued ID. Most applications will not be selected for a check.

If you get a verification request, respond to it right away. Waiting can delay your financial aid. 

What should you do now?

If you have already submitted your 2026-2027 FAFSA, watch your email for any verification requests and respond promptly.

Update Note Rules Before July 1, 2026 Rules After July 1, 2026
Identity verification New Rule Standard FAFSA submission. Verification only when flagged, typically through paperwork.

Real-time identity screening tiers applicants into four risk levels. High-risk applicants must complete live camera verification on a phone or tablet. 

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will not be impacted.
Workforce Pell Grant

Short-term job training programs, not just traditional college degrees, will eventually be eligible for Workfoce Pell Grantfunding. It is designed to help individuals quickly gain skills for in-demand careers. Eligible programs must be offered by accredited institutions and lead to employment in fields such as healthcare, information technology, or skilled trades. Fullerton College’s programs will need to go through a federal approval process that can take up to a year or more. We will communicate when specific programs qualify. Stay tuned!

Loan Type Note Rules Before July 1, 2026 Rules After July 1, 2026
Pell eligibility Moderate Change Available based on financial need (Student Aid Index). Less-than-half-time students qualified for partial Pell. Students with non-federal aid covering full cost of attendance no longer qualify. New high-asset and foreign income exclusions.
Workforce Pell (short-term programs) New Program (Not yet available at Fullerton College) Pell could not be awarded for programs under 16 weeks. Pell available for approved workforce programs 8 to 15 weeks, 150 to 600 clock hours. Programs must meet federal completion and job placement requirements. Approval can take up to a year or more. 
Protection for Existing Borrowers

Students who were enrolled and borrowing before July 1, 2026, keep their old loan limits for up to three years, or until they finish their program, whichever comes first. This is called the legacy provision. Students lose this protection if they withdraw, transfer to a different program, or stay enrolled past their program’s expected length. This is tracked and monitored through Federal Student Aid not Fullerton College. 

Loan Update Note Rules Before July 1, 2026 Rules After July 1, 2026
Legacy provision (interim exception) New Rule Not applicable. The current rules are simply the rules. Students enrolled with at least one federal loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, can continue under old rules for up to 3 years or until program completion. Protection is lost if student withdraws, transfers programs, or exceeds program length.
Degree and Certificate Programs Will Now Be Held to an Earnings Accountability Standard

If a major for a degree or certificate program doesn’t earn more than a typical high school graduate without a degree or certificate in that field, the new federal laws may not pay aid for those majors. The federal law now benchmarks these earnings against state and national averages. View our Student Tuition Transparency System (STATS), previously known as Gainful Employment, data.

Student Tuition Transparency System (STATS)

The Department of Education has proposed a new accountability framework that would evaluate academic programs based on the earnings of their graduates. Under the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS), programs whose graduates do not earn more than typical high school graduates (for undergraduate programs) or typical bachelor’s degree holders (for graduate programs) could lose eligibility for federal student loans and, in some cases, other forms of federal financial aid. This new framework goes into effect July 1, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid-eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” This information is posted on the College Scorecard website. There, you can find Fullerton College’s overall score for educational debt, median earnings and graduation rates. You can also find scores by fields of study. View Fullerton College’s Scorecard.

Course Program of Study (CPoS) – Take classes that count!

Course Program of Study (CPOS) information on this page is current as of the published date (April 2026). As new details continue to emerge, content will be updated or revised. Please check back frequently for the latest CPOS information and updates.

What is Course Program of Study (CPOS)?

A Federal Title IV regulation requires colleges to ensure that students receive financial aid only for courses that count toward their declared degree or certificate and are necessary to complete their program. Course Program of Study (CPOS) is the process our college will use to ensure compliance with this requirement.

When will CPOS begin?

Soon, Fullerton College and Cypress College will apply CPOS requirements to both federal and state financial aid. The Financial Aid Office will:

  • Determine financial aid eligibility based on program applicable units only, using the major on file with Admissions and Records.
  • Apply CPOS to federal and state aid, including Pell Grant, SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Cal Grant, SSCG, and loans.
  • Reduce federal and state aid amounts when units are not applicable to a student’s Program of Study; enrollment fees may still be covered by the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), if eligible.
  • Notify students via myGateway when a course is not applicable and encourage them to consult with an academic counselor.
What types of financial aid does CPOS impact?

Course Program of Study (CPOS) applies to federal financial aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

It also impacts eligibility for state financial aid programs, such as the Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG), Chafee Grant, and Middle-Class Scholarship. 

IMPORTANT: At this time, CPOS does not impact the California College Promise Grant (CCPG).

How can I check if I am impacted by CPOS?

When we go live, students will be notified once they enroll in classes. The results of their audit will be available in myGateway. Students will be able to review their status and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they qualify for financial aid.

When will I know if I am impacted by CPOS?

Students will be notified once they enroll in classes. The results of their audit will be available in myGateway. Students will be able to review their status and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they qualify for financial aid.

The audit process will run up to the semester’s freeze date. If a student makes any changes that affect the audit–such as changing their major, dropping a course, or adding a new one–the audit will rerun. This can lead to changes in financial aid eligibility. Additionally, the audit process will run if we receive a student’s FAFSA and enrollment data after the semester’s freeze date.

What should I do if I’ve been notified that one or more of my courses does not count toward my program of study (declared major)?

Review your DegreeWorks audit to see how each course applies to your program and identify any that do not count.

Meet with an academic counselor to ensure you have an updated, comprehensive education plan and that you are enrolled in the correct courses for your program of study at your home campus – Fullerton College or Cypress College. An academic counselor can help discuss options to adjust your schedule, including adding, dropping, or remaining enrolled in specific courses.

While you may take courses for other goals, such as transfer, career advancement, or special programs, financial aid only covers those that apply to your declared program of study. 

What if I remain enrolled in courses that are not in my program of study?

Your Federal and state aid will be adjusted to reflect only the coursework that is applicable towards your program of study. Your ineligible courses that do not meet CPOS can still be covered by the CCPG fee waiver if eligible.

Do English as a Second Language (ESL) classes count?

Yes. If you are enrolled in an eligible program, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses count toward federal financial aid eligibility.

NOTE: For new Workforce Pell–eligible programs, ESL and other remedial courses do not count toward federal financial aid eligibility.

How do electives count?

If your program lists specific electives, only those courses will count. If your program does not have a specific list, any degree-applicable course may count as an elective, if there is still room in your program for additional elective units. 

A degree typically requires 60 units. If you have already fulfilled all major preparation and general education (GE) requirements, there may not be room for additional electives. However, if space is available, those courses will count toward your program and may be considered for your financial aid eligibility.

What if there aren’t enough classes in my program for me to be fulltime this term?

Only courses in your program of study count for financial aid. However, even if you are not enrolled full-time (12 or more units), you may still be eligible for federal and state aid programs that generally require a minimum of six units, such as the Pell Grant, loans, Federal Work-Study,
Cal Grant, and Chafee Grant.

For example, if you only have six units remaining to graduate, those six units will be the only ones to count towards most federal and state eligibility.

You may also receive the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) fee waiver, if eligible, which will continue to waive your enrollment fees for any course.

IMPORTANT: At this time, CPOS does not impact the California College Promise Grant (CCPG).

Will prerequisite, remedial, ESL, and other approved related coursework be covered by financial aid?

Yes, financial aid can cover up to 30 total credits for prerequisite, remedial, ESL, and other approved coursework. Once this 30-credit limit is reached, no further payments will be made for non-degree courses.

What if a student's declared major doesn't match their transfer goal, particularly for majors not offered at the college?

To be eligible for financial aid, students must be in an eligible program that is approved for Title IV eligibility, which includes certificates and degrees. The addition of CPoS adds that students are also only paid for courses needed for that declared goal.

Will financial aid cover repeated courses?

The existing repeat coursework policies will continue to apply alongside the introduction of CPoS. According to District policy, students may enroll in a course up to three times, while federal regulations permit payment for two attempts after achieving a passing grade. Although one of the policies may be more stringent depending on individual situations, they will be evaluated in conjunction with CPoS eligibility for payment. 

Does CPoS affect the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy?

All current financial aid eligibility criteria remain unchanged, with the introduction of CPoS requirements. SAP will still be calculated for all attempted coursework, regardless of if financial aid was applied for or received. Maximum Time Frame is measured as 150% of the published program length, based on attempted units. The aim is for students to complete their programs well before reaching this limit.

How will students be notified if a class is not eligible for financial aid?

Students will be notified once they enroll in classes. The results of their audit will be available in myGateway. Students will be able to review their status and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they qualify for financial aid.

What conditions determine if CPoS will rerun after the semester's freeze date?

The audit process will run up to the semester’s freeze date. If a student makes any changes that affect the audit–such as changing their major, dropping a course, or adding a new one–the audit will rerun. This can lead to changes in financial aid eligibility. Additionally, the audit process will run if we receive a student’s FAFSA and enrollment data after the semester’s
freeze date.

What if I am part of the Promise Program, EOPS, DSS, Veterans programs, or another program that requires enrollment in a specific number of units? How does that work?

If you are part of a specialized program, it is important to meet your program’s support services to ensure you are meeting their enrollment requirements. CPOS is a financial aid requirement, and although you might be enrolled in 12 units with only 9 counting toward your program of study, this may not impact your eligibility for other programs that require full-time enrollment (e.g., 12 units). You will need to check with each program or service individually. Always confirm with your specific program to ensure you meet all of its requirements.

How can I appeal if a course should count toward my program of study?

Yes, you can appeal. To do so, you must initiate a Course Program of Study (CPOS) petition with the Financial Aid Office. The petition requires a counselor’s signature and documentation verifying that the course(s) in question are part of your program of study at your home campus – Fullerton College or Cypress College. 

The petition must be submitted before the freeze date and must include an updated education plan showing the course(s) as part of your program.

We expect a high volume of petitions, so while submissions must be made before the freeze date, processing may occur afterward due to the anticipated number of requests.

What happens if I am waitlisted for a course?

If you are waitlisted for a course, it will not be picked up for your program of study or reviewed to determine if it is part of your program until you are officially registered.

Do you have additional questions about CPOS?

For more information about CPOS, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Students may reach us in several ways:

Scholarships

Friends of Fullerton College Foundation

The Friends of Fullerton College foundation is committed to empowering students through community support and ensuring educational equity for all students.

Visit the foundation’s website for available scholarship opportunities: https://foundation.fullcoll.edu/.

2026 Keenan Insurance Scholarships - Deadline: October 23, 2026

The Keenan Insurance Scholarship seeks to increase the diversity of professionals working within the insurance, risk management, and financial services industry by providing scholarships to underrepresented students at California Community Colleges. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    • Scholarship preference shall be given to underrepresented students who are working towards a certificate or degree in insurance, risk management, financial services or a related field, such as business administration with a concentration in or focus on the insurance and benefits industry. 
    • Applicants must be eligible for a California College Promise Grant or be experiencing other circumstances demonstrating financial need.
    • Applicants must be enrolled in and complete three (3) units each semester, or the quarter equivalent, in insurance, risk management, financial services, or related courses in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW

    • The Keenan Insurance Scholarship is non-competitive in nature. To receive an award, applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements and complete an application through their Financial Aid or Scholarship Office. 
    • Scholarships will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are disbursed.
    • Scholarships are limited to a maximum of $600 per semester, adjusted proportionately for quarter term schools, not to exceed a total of $1,200 per academic year.
    • Scholarships are only available for those semesters/quarters, including Summer term, in which the student is taking three units of insurance and benefits related coursework or an acceptable equivalent.
    • Scholarships may be used to cover the cost of fees, books, supplies, and other related educational expenses.

All applications must be submitted to Josue Abarca via email at JAbarca@fullcoll.edu by the established deadline. 

Scholarship Application 2026

Scholarship Guidelines 2026

DEADLINE: October 23, 2026 

WEB RESOURCES

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