What is the Financial Aid Census Date?
Baker College uses a census date to determine a student’s enrollment status for awarding Pell Grant funds. The financial aid census date refers to the point at which your enrollment credit hours are locked for Pell Grant purposes. The financial aid census date does not apply to other forms of financial aid (loans, Baker College grant, etc.).
Baker College Financial Aid Census Dates
- Summer Semester 2024: May 26, 2024
- Fall Semester 2024: September 1, 2024
- Spring Semester 2025: January 12, 2025
- Summer Semester 2025: May 25, 2025
The courses that students are registered for at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the census date will determine Pell Grant eligibility. This means that if a student adds or drops classes before the census date, the amount of Pell Grant for which he or she is eligible will be affected. If classes are added after the census date, the Pell Grant award will not increase; however, if classes are withdrawn or dropped after the census date, Pell Grant funds may be reduced.
Table 1: Enrollment status credit hour ranges
| Credit Hours |
Enrollment Status |
| 12 and above |
Full-Time |
| 9 to 11 |
Three-Quarter Time |
| 6 to 8 |
Half-Time |
| Less than 6 |
Less than Half-Time |
For example: If you are registered for 9 credit hours on or before the census date for the semester, you will be awarded Pell at the three-quarter time award status. If you add a 3 credit class after the census date, which brings your total credit hours to 12, your Pell award status does not change, and you will not receive an increase in your Pell Grant for the added class.
The census date does not apply to other forms of financial aid. Enrollment changes after the census date may affect the amount of other grants, scholarships and loans the student may receive. Students are encouraged to submit a request if they have questions about how enrollment changes (including withdrawals) will affect their financial aid awards.