Do We Have To Prorate the Student Aid Index If the Student Was Packaged For the Full Year But Does Not Return In the Spring?

Scenario: We have awarded a student for the entire fall/spring academic year, but the student doesn't return for the spring semester. We canceled the spring budget and spring aid.

Answer: No. The student aid index (SAI) is not prorated for periods other than nine months, and there is no option for schools to choose to prorate in these circumstances. The parent and student contribution proration provisions previously included in Section 475(i) and (j) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, [20 USC 1087(i), (j)] have been removed from the statute. Therefore, you will use the full nine-month SAI when calculating aid for summer and any other periods of enrollment that are less than or greater than nine months. There are no exceptions and you cannot use professional judgment (PJ) to prorate the SAI. See Dear Colleague Letter GEN-23-11 for more information. 

Student Aid Reference Desk: For additional information, try the Student Aid Reference Desk. It is a central hub of all the important financial aid resources you need with direct links to legislation, regulation, Dear Colleague Letters, and other ED and NASFAA references. It is updated on a rolling basis with the latest news and changes. Search Need Analysis and Packaging.