Academic Year Definition
College of the Desert’s academic year, for federal student aid purposes, is comprised of two 16-week semesters (fall and spring). College of the Desert also offers a winter and summer term with a selection of courses.
Financial is tied to your enrollment status during the fall, spring and summer semesters. To maintain your full-time student status during both the fall and spring semesters, you will be required to carry 12 units each semester which totals 24 units. You will be paid for summer courses based on the number of units you carried in this semester.
Units carried during the winter will be counted as part of your spring semester enrollment in calculating your financial aid eligibility. For example, if you enroll in 5 units during the winter intersession, you would only need to carry 7 units during the spring semester to reach full-time status.
