This guidance is not award-year-specific and applies across award years.
Scenario: We are changing our academic calendar by moving up the end date of the spring term (semester, trimester, quarter). In this case, students would still be completing the term; however, it would be shorter.
Answer: No. According to guidance NASFAA has received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the students who complete the shorter term in this scenario are not withdrawals and return of Title IV funds (R2T4) calculations are not required.
When you end the term early, you are reducing the length of the academic year, however. If reducing the term results in an academic year of less than 30 weeks of instructional time, then you will need to seek approval from ED by sending an email to [email protected] to request a temporary reduction in the length of its academic year. They can grant a reduction to as little as 26 weeks. See the April 3, 2020 Electronic Announcement for more information on requesting ED approval.
AskRegs Q&As represent NASFAA's understanding of regulatory and compliance issues. They are FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY. While NASFAA believes AskRegs Q&As are accurate and factual, they have not been reviewed or approved by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). If you should need written confirmation of AskRegs information for audit or program review purposes, please contact your ED School Participation Division. NASFAA shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
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