Federal financial aid funds may be used only once to repeat previously passed courses for which a student has already received credit. Any further attempts will not be covered by federal financial aid, even if required to improve the grade. However, if a student has not passed a course by receiving an F grade or has withdrawn (W) from a course without receiving credit, they will be able to receive financial aid to repeat the course, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.
For example, you passed a course with a grade of D, but your program requires a minimum grade of C to move on to the next level. You repeat the course and earn a B. In this case, federal financial aid can be applied to the repeat attempt. However, if you had not earned at least a C the second time and needed to take the course a third time, that third attempt would not be eligible for federal aid, even if it is required to meet academic program standards.
If a course is determined to be ineligible due to repeated course policies, a student’s financial aid award may be adjusted. In some cases, it is still possible that the amount of the financial award may cover the tuition balance for the ineligible course. Students must be enrolled in at least six credits of eligible, non-repeated coursework to receive federal student loans and be eligible to participate in federal work-study.