Title: Census
Number: AP 2.19
Reviewed: June 2026
Purpose:
This policy ensures accurate determination of student enrollment for federal financial aid and institutional reporting. It establishes the Census Date as the deadline for verifying academic engagement, defines qualifying engagement activities, and outlines faculty responsibilities and procedures for standard, sequential, and late start courses to maintain compliance with Title IV requirements.
Policy:
Census Date
The Census Date is the official point in the academic term when student enrollment is measured for financial aid eligibility and institutional reporting. To comply with federal regulations, students must demonstrate academic engagement in each course by the Census Date to be considered enrolled for Title IV financial aid purposes.
Definition of Academic Engagement under 34 CFR 600.2:
Academic engagement refers to active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to their course of study that:
1. Is defined by the institution in accordance with any applicable State or accrediting agency requirements; and
2. Includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field/laboratory activity (in person or online) where interaction with the instructor is possible;
b. Submitting an academic assignment;
c. Taking an assessment or exam;
d. Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;
e. Engaging in an institution-assigned study group, group project, or online discussion;
f. Interacting with an instructor about academic matters.
Activities Not Considered Academic Engagement Include:
- Living in institutional housing (not applicable to Nicolet College);
- Participating in the institution’s meal plan (not applicable to Nicolet College);
- Logging into an online class or tutorial without further participation;
- Participating solely in academic counseling or advisement.
Students who do not demonstrate academic engagement in a course by the Census Date will be administratively dropped from that course and will not be eligible to receive financial aid for it. Faculty are required to confirm student engagement through at least one qualifying activity as defined above.
Courses Beginning After the first Census Date:
Students enrolled in courses with a section start date after the first Census Date must establish academic engagement before financial aid for those courses can be disbursed. Instructors will report academic engagement at the second Census Date. Once academic engagement has been verified by the Financial Aid Office, any eligible financial aid associated with those courses will be disbursed.