Understanding Program Applicability

Program Applicable courses are classes you need for your declared major.

Your "Program" includes: 

• Your major courses.
• Only Required emphasis, minor, or cluster (if any).

Only these courses apply for federal financial aid.

Follow these steps to check if your courses apply:

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

• The chart below shows you how to declare your Program before 11:59 pm MT on the Major Change Deadline.
• 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.

Federal student loans and grants come from federal tax dollars for students who complete the FAFSA, and it’s only applicable for courses needed for graduation.

This helps you:

• Focus on finishing your degree.
• Use federal money wisely.
• Graduate faster.
• Lower your education costs.

This affects students getting US federal financial aid (Pell Grants or federal loans) and other private or state scholarships. Other private or state scholarships may require your classes to be program applicable to receive scholarship funds.

Remember:

• Check your individual scholarship for their requirements.
• 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.

• 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.