Nonstandard term

The institution designs the calendar and documents whether it is standard or nonstandard for aid purposes. Payment periods are established according to federal rules for nonstandard terms-often based on the successful completion of half the credits and half the weeks in the academic year. Students progress through modules or competencies, and aid is released when the payment-period conditions are met.

Example: an online program offers back-to-back 6-week modules with no traditional semester break. The institution classifies the calendar as nonstandard. A student becomes eligible for the next aid disbursement only after completing half the credits and half the weeks of the academic year, rather than simply starting the next module.

Standard terms (semester, trimester, quarter) have defined lengths and allow aid disbursement at the start of each term for eligible students. Modules inside a standard term do not automatically make the calendar nonstandard. Clock-hour programs follow still different rules.

Labeling a program nonstandard simply because it is online. Disbursing aid at the start of every short module without confirming the payment-period definition. Ignoring the academic-year minimum weeks requirement when designing a nonstandard calendar.