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Understanding Program Applicability

What is a Program Applicable course?

  • It's a course you need for your declared major.
  • Your "Program" includes: 
    • Your major courses.
    • Only Required emphasis, minor, or cluster (if any).
  • Only these courses can get federal financial aid.

How to know if your courses are Program Applicable:

  1. Check the Program Applicability Tool (PAT).
  2. Academic Advising decides if a class is applicable to your major. Talk to an Academic Advisor if you're unsure. 
  3. Make sure your courses are Program Applicable before the Financial Aid Determination Date (FADD).

Are you in the right Program?

  • Declare your Program before 11:59 pm MT on the Major Change Deadline (chart below).
  • This Program decides which courses get aid for the whole semester.
  • You can change your Program later, but it won't affect aid until next semester.
Semester Major Change Goes Into Effect Major Change Deadline
Summer 2024 July 23, 2024
Fall 2024 September 10, 2024
Winter 2025 December 31, 2024
Spring 2025 April 15, 2025
Summer 2025 July 22, 2025
Fall 2025 September 9, 2025

Why Program Applicability matters?

  • Grants and federal student loans come from federal tax dollars for students who complete the FAFSA and it’s only for courses you need to graduate.
    This helps you:
    • Focus on finishing your degree.
    • Use federal money wisely.
    • Graduate faster.
    • Lower your education costs.

Who does this affect?

  • Only students getting U.S. federal financial aid (Pell Grants or federal loans).

Remember: Academic Advising can help you know if your classes can be Program Applicable for your major.

For other questions visit Financial Aid in Kimball 196 or use the chat bubble on this page to talk to an agent.

Important things to remember:

  • If your major requires an emphasis, minor, or cluster, those courses can get aid.
  • If these aren't required, they only get aid if they count as electives for your major.
  • Classes that “become Program Applicable” after FADD don't get aid.
  • If you drop a class and add it back, do it before FADD to keep your aid.