To receive financial aid, you must declare an eligible program of study with Admissions. Financial aid will only pay for classes that apply to your declared major or program of study. Palomar College will use your Degree Progress Report to help identify which classes count toward your program and may be eligible for financial aid payment.
1. View or Update your major
Please see the instructions on how to review or change your major.
2. Review your Degree Progress Report
Please see the instructions on how to view your Degree Progress Report and identify courses required for your program.
3. The Freeze Date still applies
Even if a class applies to your major, you must be officially enrolled in all classes by the financial aid freeze date to be counted for payment.
4. Some exceptions may apply
If a course substitution or exception is approved, the course may count toward financial aid. Students must follow the approved course substitution/exception process.
What you should do
- View your declared major and make sure it is correct.
- Review your Degree Progress Report
- Meet with a counselor if your courses do not appear correctly.
- Submit any course substitutions to the Evaluations Office .
- Finalize your eligible courses before the financial aid freeze date.
Why is Palomar reviewing my classes?
Federal financial aid as well as some California state aid rules require colleges to pay aid only for classes that apply to a student’s declared program of study.
What if I’m on a Financial Aid Appeal (Probation)?
Changing or updating your major will violate the terms and conditions of your approved Financial Aid Appeal and result in loss of aid.
What is a Degree Progress?
A degree progress report shows your declared major, completed courses, and remaining courses needed for your program. **Courses taken at prior institutions may not display on your degree progress report. If you are unsure if a course will transfer to Palomar College please schedule an appointment with a Counselor. Please see the instructions on how to view your Degree Progress Report and identify courses required for your program.
What if I take a class outside my major?
You may still enroll in the class, but it may not count toward your financial aid payment. However, if you receive a CCPG Fee Waiver, it will waive the enrollment fee for the non-degree applicable course (s).
How do I view my Declared Major?
On your MyPalomar account, click on the “Academics” Menu Option and click on “My Declared Major”
Click image to enlarge
What if my major is wrong?
Update your major as soon as possible. If your major is incorrect, your degree progress report may not show the correct required courses. Please see the instructions on how to review or change your major.
What is the freeze date?
The freeze date is when your enrollment is locked for financial aid purposes. Your aid is based on the eligible units on your schedule as of that date.
Can a course substitution count?
Yes, if it is officially approved and processed in time. Submit requests early.
Does this affect CCPG?
The California College Promise Grant may still cover enrollment fees for courses outside your major. Federal and state financial aid programs may have different rules.
Need Help?
Counseling Department – Counseling Services Division
For help reviewing your major, education plan, degree progress report, or course substitutions.
Palomar College Financial Aid Office
For questions about how eligible units affect your financial aid payment.
Admissions
For help updating your declared major.
Use the Major Plan Change Request link located under your Academics menu on the left-hand side of your MyPalomar page to submit your major change.
If you need help selecting a major, we encourage you to meet with an academic counselor.
Eligible programs include:
- Associates of Arts or Science (AA or AS);
- Certificates of Achievement requiring at least one (1) year of instruction that have been approved by the Department of Education;
- Transfer programs designated as AS.X, AA.U or an Associate degree in University Studies.
- The full list of Financial Aid eligible majors can be found here.
Programs with special admissions requirements (only students accepted by the department are eligible for financial aid):
- Dental Assisting
- Nursing Education
- Fire Academy
- Basic Police Academy
- Paramedic Training
The following majors/programs are not eligible for federal aid:
- All goals of Undecided;
- Certificate of Proficiency;
- Certificates of Achievement in University Studies.