Important Financial Aid Changes

With recent changes in federal student aid and Columbus State’s transition to Workday, there are some important changes in financial aid effective Autumn Semester 2026.

Thanks to changes in federal regulations some significant changes to student federal aid will take effect for the 2026-27 academic year. In addition, you’ll now handle financial aid (and many other student tasks) in Workday. But don’t worry, we’re here to break it all down.

Here are some major changes to check:

• Financial aid moves to Workday: You will now use Workday to view and manage your financial aid information. Learn how to access your financial aid.
• Estimated Financial Aid:  After July 6, estimated aid for the upcoming semester defaults to your actual enrolled credit hours. If you haven’t registered yet, your aid may not show, but don’t panic. Read more.
• Important Grant Deadline: Students must register by July 6 to keep their Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (if offered). Read more.
• Processing Times: Financial aid updates will take a little longer in Workday. Wait 1–2 days (or 3–5 days for loans) to see adjustments after schedule changes. Read more.

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Access your financial aid in Workday.

You’ll log in to Workday to handle all your financial aid tasks.

How to review your financial aid in Workday

1. Log in to Workday.
2. Click the Financials Hub icon.
3. Click on the Financial Aid tab on the left menu.
4. Click on the Total Financial Assistance tab at the top.
5. Select the appropriate award year (2026-2027 for AU26 semester). All aid that has been awarded will be displayed.
6. You can print your offer letter and college financing plan from this page as well.

Workday Info | Workday Guides & Help Videos

Financial aid amounts will be adjusted based on enrollment.

July 6 is an important date for the Autumn 2026 semester! Our new system, Workday, uses a financial aid processing step where, on a specific date each semester, your financial aid offer changes from a Potential amount to an Actual amount. For the Autumn 2026 semester, that date is July 6. 

Potential Aid Date - the date through which financial aid offers are estimates of potential financial aid you're eligible for if you register for a full-time course load (12+ hours)

Actual Aid Date - the date when your financial aid offer reflects the actual aid you are eligible to receive based on the number of credit hours you've registered for. 

Pro tip: We encourage you to register early! Register for classes before July 6 to maintain your financial aid and see how much you are eligible to receive based on your enrollment.

At midnight the next day (July 7), estimated aid for the upcoming semester defaults to your actual enrolled credit hours. Here’s what that means:

• If you have not registered for any autumn semester classes by July 6, your estimated aid for autumn will not show. Your Autumn aid will temporarily disappear until you register.
• Some types of aid require that you register at least six credit hours or more to receive the award. If you do not register for six credit hours or more, your student loans and some scholarships and grants may not be shown.
• If this happens to you, don't panic! Your estimated financial aid will repopulate once you register for courses. (It takes at least 24 hours to process financial aid updates, and up to five days for student loans to update.)

Register by July 6 to keep your Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) provides additional support to students with exceptional financial need. Like other grants, these funds do not need to be repaid.

If your financial aid package includes FSEOG money, you must register for classes by July 6 to keep your FSEOG grant!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Columbus State awards FSEOG funds to students with the greatest financial need based on their FAFSA application. These funds are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
• On July 6, estimated financial aid for the upcoming semester defaults to your actual enrolled credit hours.
• If you do not register for classes by July 6, your FSEOG money will be repackaged and offered to the next eligible student.

Why does the FSEOG work this way?

The short answer: federal rules. Columbus State receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. Once the full amount of the FSEOG funds has been awarded to students, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that year. This system works differently from the Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides funds to every eligible student. You can learn more at the federal student aid website.

What if I need registration help?

We’re making it easy to register with workshops and extended hours. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You can find registration support at cscc.edu/FallForward

New processing times for financial aid updates.

Many changes in Workday are updated in real time. Course registration and billing changes should be shown in your account right away. However, financial aid updates take longer. It takes at least 24 hours for financial aid information to process.

If you adjust your course schedule, for example, you will need to wait 1-2 business days for your financial aid award to update in Workday based on your new number of credit hours. Loan changes may take 3-5 business days.