Setting Up Auto Packaging and Mass Packaging

This chapter provides an overview of Auto Packaging and Mass Packaging and discusses how to:

Use equation engine in packaging.
Use equations.
View equations as algebraic expressions.
Review equation examples.
Create equity item type groups.
Create related item type groups.
Define packaging plans.

Understanding Auto Packaging and Mass Packaging

The items covered in this chapter are required only for Auto Packaging or Mass Packaging. You must also perform the basic setup tasks outlined in the general awarding setup chapter.

This section provides a list of prerequisites and discusses packaging plans.

See Also

Setting Up Packaging Basics

Prerequisites

Before setting up your packaging plans go through the following steps to define your institution's needs.

Define your populations of students who may have unique needs and for what awards they are eligible.

Your student populations might include undergraduate students, graduate students, and medical students. Within your graduate population you might have students in a teacher credential program, masters level students, and Ph.D. level students. Within your undergraduate and graduate populations you might group students by their academic program or plan, such as sociology or physical education. Medical students might be grouped by their year in the program, for example first year or fourth year. For reasons of equity, especially if your institution cannot meet all students' financial need, you may want to group students by their financial need, as determined by subtracting Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from cost of attendance (COA). In that case, you may have a population defined as undergraduate students with need greater than 10,000.00 USD and another group defined as undergraduates with a need less than 10,000.00 USD.
Determine which awards students in each group would be eligible for or which awards you want to give certain students, and in which order these awards should be offered.

Each financial aid award your institution offers may apply to all students or to only a specific group of students. For example, only undergraduates are eligible for Pell Grants and only students from California are eligible for Cal Grants, but you may have a University Grant that all students are eligible for regardless of their career or residency. You are now ready to start grouping awards together into a packaging plan.

Packaging Plans

Using Financial Aid, you can create packaging plans that give the system instructions on how to award or package a student with various financial aid awards. You should create your packaging plans to meet the needs of your various groups of students. Packaging plans are used when packaging groups of students in a background process (Mass Packaging) or when having the system automatically package an individual student online (Auto Packaging). A packaging plan groups together financial aid awards and enables you to set specific rules for how that group of awards should be given to students. You can also specify other important parameters in a packaging plan, such as how much federal need the packaging plan meets and how the aid is disbursed to students. The packaging plan can incorporate nearly all decisions a financial aid counselor would make when creating a financial aid package with specific financial aid awards. Since a packaging plan is set up to make decisions a financial aid counselor would, the packaging plans must reflect your institution's financial aid awarding philosophy so the automated process works most effectively for you.

If you have a group of similar awards, like endowed restricted funds, which have very specific target populations, you may want to group these awards together into a related item type group. You can define the group and include it in a packaging plan as an individual award, instead of adding individual restricted aid financial aid item types to packaging plans.

Individual financial aid item types can be part of as many packaging plans as you prefer. Some financial aid item types may be in every packaging plan, such as an unsubsidized Stafford loan.

Not all financial aid item types within a packaging plan are issued to all students who are selected for that packaging plan. The packaging plan assigns financial aid item types to students based on selection criteria defined for each financial aid item type and the overall packaging rules setup as part of the packaging plan. For example, a packaging plan may include ten different financial aid item types, but a student may only receive five of the ten financial aid item types because of eligibility requirements or because their financial need is met. Although you are not packaging students in this section, it is important to know how packaging plans are used to set them up effectively.

Once you have grouped your individual financial aid item types in your various packaging plans, decide in what order you want the various awards to be made. This decision depends heavily on your institution's financial aid packaging policies. The automated packaging routines process individual financial aid item types in a designated order (sequence) within each packaging plan. The automated packaging routine continues awarding up to a dollar limit or a percentage of need defined in the packaging plan, or up to the cost of attendance, depending on the type of awards that are included in the packaging plan. Because awards are packaged in a specific order up to the defined limit, you may want to sequence any entitlement awards near the top of the packaging plan to ensure they are awarded. You might want to put less desirable awards, such as unsubsidized loans, further down in the order.

In addition to selecting and sequencing awards in the packaging plan, there are several other parameters you must set up. Define packaging targets, award limits, equity limits, loan award limits, work award limits, and the disbursement schedule for each award. For award-related limits and disbursements, you can use the default value for the award—as defined in your financial aid item type setup—or you can define values to be used for the award when it is included in a packaging plan.

Throughout the setup of your packaging plans you can use equations to identify a population of students or to perform calculations. Use the Equation Engine to create these equations.

Using Equation Engine in Packaging

Equation Engine can read any table for which you have security access and can perform various arithmetic operations and external call subroutines.

Note. If you plan to use equations, they must be set up before you set up packaging plans. Similarly, if you plan to use Mass Packaging, set up equations to be used as part of that process.

You need to be familiar with the fields you can use in equations to understand what student data are available for selection or calculation. Equations are written in statements similar to spoken phrases. For example, if you want to write an equation that calculates different award amounts based on a student's grade level, using the Global A_AMOUNT option, you would first write:

"If the student's grade level is Freshman, then I want to award 8,000.00 USD; if the student's grade level is Sophomore, then I want to award 8,500.00 USD; if the student's grade level is Junior, then I want to award 9,000.00 USD, and if the student's grade level is a Senior or higher, then I want to award 9,500.00 USD."

This sentence can be written as an equation:

Line Number	Equation Keyword	Operand Type	Operand	Comment
1	SKIP
2	ASSIGN	Local	AWARD_PERIOD
3		String	A
4	END ASSIGN
5	FIND FIRST	Global	FOUND_FAN_AWD_PER_VW
6		Table	FAN_AWD_PER_VW
7		Global EQ	EMPLID
8		Global EQ	INSTITUTION
9		Global EQ	AID_YEAR
10		Local EQ	AWARD_PERIOD
11	END FIND
12	IF
13		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
14		Field	NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR
15	<=
16		Value	1
17	THEN
18	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
19		Number	8000.00000
20	END ASSIGN
21	ELSE IF
22		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
23		Field	NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR
24	=
25		Value	2
26	THEN
27	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
28		Number	8500.00000
29	END ASSIGN
30	ELSE IF
31		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
32		Field	NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR
33	=
34		Value	3
35	THEN
36	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
37		Number	9000.00000
38	END ASSIGN
39	ELSE IF
40		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
41		Field	NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR
42	>=
43		Value	4
44	THEN
45	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
46		Number	9500.00000
47	END ASSIGN
48	END IF

FAPDGRADELVL

In the example, NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR is the field name for academic level. The first section of the equation assigns the global variables needed by the equation engine to identify the proper NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR. The second section tells the system which table, field, and field values are to be evaluated by the equation (NSLDS_LOAN_YEAR value = freshman, sophomore, junior, etc.). Based on the table/field value, the 'Assign Global A_AMOUNT' statement instructs the system to award the student a particular dollar value (if the student is a sophomore, award her 8,500.00). When using the Equation Engine, you are guided in the writing of your equation by the various field prompts and their available options.

As another example, if you are creating a Packaging Plan for your Graduate Career and you need to select all students with Graduate career, you would write an equation using A_SELECT: I want to select all of my students whose Career equals Graduate.

This sentence can be written as an equation:

Line Number	Equation Keyword	Operand Type	Operand	Comment
1	ASSIGN	Global	STRM
2		String
3	END ASSIGN
4	FIND FIRST	Global	FOUND_FAN_FA_TERM_VW
5		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
6		Global EQ	EMPLID
7		Global EQ	INSTITUTION
8		Global GE	STRM
9	END IF
10	IF
11		Table	FAN_FA_TERM_VW
12		Field	ACAD_CAREER
13	=
14		String	GRAD
15	THEN
16	ASSIGN	Global	A_SELECT
17		String	GRAD
18	END ASSIGN
19	ELSE
20	ASSIGN	Global	A_SELECT
21		String	F
22	END ASSIGN
23	END IF

FAPDGRADS

In the example, ACAD_CAREER is the field name for Career. The first section of the equation assigns the global variables needed by the equation engine to identify the proper Career. The second section tells the system which table, field, and field values are to be evaluated by the equation (ACAD_CAREER = GRAD). Based on the table/field value, the 'Assign Global A_SELECT' statement instructs the system to select the student, in this example, for the particular packaging plan (if the student's Career equals GRAD, assign her to 'Graduate' Packaging Plan).

See Also

Working with Equation Engine

Using Equations

The Equation Engine is a tremendously powerful tool that enables you to develop a variety of formulas. The equations are used to select a specific population of students for packaging as well as to calculate award amounts and other numeric values. The Equation Engine uses algebraic equations and Boolean formulas, and it enables you to link equations. Equations are used when defining a packaging plan, setting award maximums and limits, and assigning groups of students to a financial aid item type, equity group, or related item type group.

Before writing an equation, define what information you want the equation to provide. If you want the equation to provide a listing for a group of students, decide exactly what the process for selecting those students is and then create an equation using the Global statement 'ASSIGN GLOBAL A_SELECT' = T' structure. You will need to assign this kind of equation as 'Fin Aid Packaging Select Eqtns' for its Application Prompt. By doing this, you will be presented with only Selection Type Equations in Packaging Setup. If you want the equation to provide a calculated value such as an award maximum, decide where the value is derived from and how it is calculated and then create an equation using the Global statement 'ASSIGN GLOBAL A_AMOUNT Number ####.##' structure. You will need to assign this kind of equation as 'Fin Aid Packaging Amount Eqtns' for its Application Prompt. By doing this, you will be presented with only Calculation Type Equations in Packaging Setup.

This section discusses how to:

Review field names for equations.
Use packaging data source and equation engine.
Round in packaging using equations.

Page Used with Equations

Page Name	Object Name	Navigation	Usage
Equation Detail	EQUATION_DTL	Set Up SACR, Common Definitions, Equation Engine, Equation Dtl Set Up SACR, Common Definitions, Equation Engine, Review Equations Click Equation Detail on the Equation Detail page, Related Item Type Group page, Packaging Plan page, FM Target page, IM Target page, Equity Rule page, Packaging Limits page, or the Packaging Rules 1 page.	View a Packaging equation written as an algebraic expression. Only select fields are available.

Reviewing Field Names for Equations

Any field in the database can be accessed and used in developing equations provided you have defined the table or view in Equation Data Tables (Set Up SACR, Common Definitions, Equation Engine, Equation Data Tables) and that the proper Equation Tree Security has been granted to the table or view (Set Up SACR, Security, Equation Tree Security, Tables and Views).

Some delivered packaging equations are system-specific and some are demonstration-specific. System-specific packaging equations contain the prefix FAPK* while demonstration-specific packaging equations contain the prefix FAPD*.

FAPK = Packaging System Equations. Do not modify any equation with the FAPK* prefix as these equations are used as part of the internal Equation processing of Dual Sourced fields (ISIR vs. IM fields) for Financial Aid Auto and Mass Packaging.

FAPD = Packaging Data Equations are a sample set equations provided as part of the demo database. These equations serve as examples of creating various types of Packaging equations supported by the Equation Engine routine.

See Also

Equation Engine Programmer's Guide, PDF distributed with the PeopleSoft Enterprise Campus Solutions 9.0 Application Fundamentals PeopleBook

Using Packaging Data Source and Equation Engine

The Equation Engine is equipped to handle dual-sourced fields for packaging purposes—in other words, same or similar fields that are sourced from the ISIR or an institutional application (PROFILE, Need Access, or institutional application) that packaging uses. It is the Equation Engine that determines which source data to use.

Equations with the prefix FAPK* are system equations that handle the dual-sourced nature of these ISIR or institutional fields. To use these equations, you will need to create a new equation and invoke a CALL statement to the applicable FAPK system equation(s) and then assign a global variable in your newly created equation. The system will use the Packaging Data Source together with these FAPK system equation(s) fields to return the corresponding value from the appropriate Packaging Data Source. Review the delivered FAPD* equations to see how the corresponding FAPK equations are implemented.

Note. In order for these dual-sourced equations to behave correctly, they should not be modified by you or anyone on your staff.

Each of the above pages displays an equation that uses dual source fields. Please refer to the table below for more details.

Packaging Equations with Dual Source Fields:

Packaging Equations with Dual Source Fields
Equation Name	Description	Field Name 1	RecName	Field Name 2
FAPKAFDCPAR	Set global AFDC_PAR	AFDC_PAR	DUALSOURCE	AFDC_PAR
FAPKAFDCSTU	Set glob AFDC_STU	AFDC_STU	DUALSOURCE	AFDC_STU
FAPKAGIPAR	Set global AGI_PAR	AGI_PAR	DUALSOURCE	AGI
FAPKAGISTU	Set global AGI_STU	AGI_STU	DUALSOURCE	AGI
FAPKCHLSPPAR	Set global CHILD_SUPPORT_PAR	CHILD_SUPPORT_PAR	DUALSOURCE	CHILD_SUPPORT
FAPKDEPNDNTS	Set global DEPENDENTS	DEPENDENTS	DUALSOURCE	DEPENDENTS
FAPKDEPENDST	Set global DEPNDNCY_STAT	DEPNDNCY_STAT	DUALSOURCE	DEPNDNCY_STAT
FAPKDTAPPREC	Set global DT_APP_RECEIVED	DT_APP_RECEIVED	DUALSOURCE	DT_APP_RECEIVED
FAPKERNINPAR	Set global ERND_INC_CRED_PAR	ERND_INC_CRED_PAR	DUALSOURCE	ERND_INC_CRED_PAR
FAPKEXEMPT	Set global NUM_EXEMPTIONS	NUM_EXEMPTIONS	DUALSOURCE	NUMBER EXEMPTIONS
FAPKEXEMPTPR	Set global NUM_EXEMPTIONS_PAR	NUM_EXEMPTIONS	DUALSOURCE	NUMBER_EXEMPTIONS
FAPKLEGALRES	Set global LEGAL_RESIDENCE	LEGAL_RESIDENCE	DUALSOURCE	LEGAL_RESIDENCE
FAPKMAR_STAT	Set global MARITAL_STAT	MARITAL_STAT	DUALSOURCE	MARITAL_STAT
FAPKMARSTPAR	Set global MARITAL_STAT_PAR	MARITAL_STAT_PAR	DUALSOURCE	MARITAL_STAT
FAPKMONVETBN	Set global MONTHLY_VET_BEN	MONTHLY_VET_BEN	DUALSOURCE	MONTHLY_VET_BEN
FAPKNMINCOLL	Set global NUMBER_IN_COLLEGE	NUMBER_IN_COLLEGE	DUALSOURCE	NUMBER_IN_COLLEGE
FAPKNUMINFAM	Set global NUM_FAMILY_MEMBERS	NUMBER_IN_FAMILY	DUALSOURCE	NUMBER_IN_FAMILY
FAPKNMFAMMEM	Set global NUM_FAMILY_MEMBERS	NUM_FAMILY_MEMBERS	DUALSOURCE	NUM_FAMILY_MEMBERS
FAPKNUMINCOL	Set global NUMBER_IN_COLLEGE	NUM_IN_COLLEGE	DUALSOURCE	NUM_IN_COLLEGE
FAPKNMMNVTBN	Set global NUM_MONTH_VET_BEN	NUM_MONTH_VET_BEN	DUALSOURCE	NUM_MONTH_VET_BEN
FAPKORPHAN	Set global ORPHAN	ORPHAN	DUALSOURCE	ORPHAN
FAPKSPERNINC	Set global SPS_EARNED_INCOME	SPS_EARNED_INCOME	DUALSOURCE	SPS_EARNED_INCOME
FAPKSSBENPAR	Set global SS_BENEFIT_PAR	SS_BENEFIT_PAR	DUALSOURCE	SOC_SEC_BENEFITS
FAPKSSBENSTU	Set global SS_BENEFIT_STU	SS_BENEFIT_STU	DUALSOURCE	SOC_SEC_BENEFITS
FAPKSTATERES	Get State Residence	STATE_RESIDENCE	DUALSOURCE	STATE_RESIDENCE
FAPKSTERNINC	Set global STD_EARNED_INCOME	STD_EARNED_INCOME	DUALSOURCE	STD_EARNED_INCOME
FAPKTOTWKAP	Set global TOTAL_FROM_WKA_P	TOTAL_FROM_WKA_P	DUALSOURCE	TOTAL_FROM_WKA_P
FAPKUNTAXIN	Set global UNTAXED_INC	UNTAXED_INC	DUALSOURCE	UNTAXED_INCOME
FAPKUNTAXINP	Set global UNTAXED_INC_PAR	UNTAXED_INC_PAR	DUALSOURCE	UNTAXED_INCOME
FAPKVETERAN	Set global VETERAN	VETERAN	DUALSOURCE	VETERAN

Packaging Data Source Control Equations

The following equations are key equations that equation engine uses as internal triggers in its routine when determining what table to call to obtain correct data.

Warning! Do not modify or remove these equations.

Equation Name	Description
FAPKGDATASRC	Get Packaging Data Source
FAPKRDINSTCT	Read INST_CONTROL
FAPKRDINSTIN	Read INST_INTERPRET
FAPKRDINSTPR	Read INST_PARENT
FAPKRDINSTST	Read INST_STUDENT
FAPKRDISIRCT	Read ISIR_CONTROL
FAPKRDISIRPR	Read ISIR_PARENT
FAPKRDISIRST	Read ISIR_STUDENT

Rounding in Packaging Using Equations

The Packaging routine does not round up to whole dollar amounts when your equation yields a decimal result for a packaging limit. If the result contains decimals, the Packaging routine produces the following error message: “Message # 9146 Cannot disburse in whole dollars; award contains cents.”

For those equations that need to yield a whole dollar result, you must use a rounding equation. You can accomplish this by employing one of two options: Option 1: (a) Create your A_AMOUNT equation, and at the bottom of the equation, insert a Call statement to the delivered sample equation FAPDROUNDAWD; (b) review the FAPDROUNDAWD equation to determine the number of places beyond the decimal point that you want (0=integers or whole numbers, 1, 2, etc.); and (c) ensure that the Packaging System Equation EQROUND is called as part of FAPDROUNDAWD. Option 2: (a) Create your A_AMOUNT equation, and at the bottom of the equation, append the contents of the delivered sample equation FAPDROUNDAWD to your newly created equation—making sure that you Assign ROUND_IN, ROUND_PLACES (including the number of places beyond the decimal point that you want A_AMOUNT to contain), and ROUND_RESULT; and (b) ensure that the Packaging System Equation EQROUND is called as part of your newly created equation. Note: In order for this rounding logic to work properly, it is imperative that (a) all elements of FAPDROUNDAWD are employed and that (b) EQROUND is called as part of that routine—these components should not be modified by you or anyone on your staff.

See Also

Working with Equation Engine

Viewing Equations as Algebraic Expressions

Access the Equation Dtl page.

The page displays the equation name and an approximate algebraic representation of the equation. You cannot edit the equation in this page. Use the scroll bar to view the entire equation.

Note. This summary is a representation of the equation you created on the Equation Detail page. The Equation Detail page determines how your equation functions.

See Also

Working with Equation Engine

Reviewing Equation Examples

This section contains examples of equations. It details three equations used to create Loan Validation Edits for financial aid. These equations are delivered with the system as part of the Loan Validation process. This section discusses these equations:

Packaging selection.
Packaging calculation
Verifying student is enrolled.

Packaging Selection Equation

Sample Packaging Selection Equation resulting in a ASSIGN GLOBAL A_SELECT = True or False result. This equation provides an answer to the question “Is a student an undergraduate?” (FAPDUGRADS, Verify Student is an Undergrad):

Line Number	Equation Keyword	Operand Type	Operand	Comment
1	IF
2		Global	ACAD_CAREER
3	=
4		String	UGRAD
5	THEN
6	ASSIGN	Global	A_SELECT
7		String	T
8	END ASSIGN
9	ELSE
10	ASSIGN	Global	A_SELECT
11		String	F
12	END ASSIGN
13	END IF

Packaging Calculation Equation

Sample Packaging Calculation Equation resulting in a ASSIGN GLOBAL A_AMOUNT = numeric value result. This equation provides an amount “Set the award amount for an early admission student” (FAPDEARLYADM, Set early admission amount):

Line Number	Equation Keyword	Operand Type	Operand	Comment
1	SKIP
2	IF
3	NOT
4	EXISTS	Global	FOUND_FAN_ISIR_STD_VW
5	THEN
6	FIND FIRST	Global	FOUND_FAN_ISIR_STD_VW
7		Table	FAN_ISIR_STD_VW
8		Global EQ	EMPLID
9		Global EQ	INSTITUTION
10		Global EQ	AID_YEAR
11	END FIND
12	END IF
13	IF
14		Table	FAN_ISIR_STD_VW
15		Field	EARLY_ADMISSION
16	=
17		Value	1
18	THEN
19	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
20		Number	2500.00000
21	END ASSIGN
22	ELSE
23	ASSIGN	Global	A_AMOUNT
24		Number	1250.00000
25	END ASSIGN
26	END IF

Verifying Student is Enrolled Equation

This equation provides an answer to the question “Is a student enrolled?” (U_FA_LOAD, Verify Student is Enrolled):

Line Number	Equation Keyword	Operand Type	Operand	Comment
1	IF
2		Table	STDNT_AID_ATRBT
3		Field	AID_APP_STATUS
4	< >
5		Prompted Value	C	C = Cancelled
6	THEN
7	IF
8		Table	U_FA_TERM_VW
9		Field	TERM_SRC
10	< >
11		Prompted Value	T	T = Term
12	THEN
13	ASSIGN	Global Variable	RESULT
14		String	FAILED
15	END ASSIGN
16	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_SET_NBR
17		String	21100
18	END ASSIGN
19	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_NBR
20		String	00005
21	END ASSIGN
22	ELSE
23	IF
24		Table	U_FA_TERM_VW
25		Field	FA_LOAD
26	=
27		Prompted Value	F	F = Full Time
28	OR
29		Table	U_FA_TERM_VW
30		Field	FA_LOAD
31	=
32		Prompted Value	H	H = Half Time
33	OR
34		Table	U_FA_TERM_VW
35		Field	FA_LOAD
36	=
37		Prompted Value	T	T = Three Quarters
38	THEN
39	ASSIGN	Global Value	RESULT
40		String	PASS
41	END ASSIGN
42	ELSE
43	ASSIGN	Global Value	RESULT
44		String	FAILED
45	END ASSIGN
46	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_SET_NBR
47		String	21100
48	END ASSIGN
49	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_NBR
50		String	00004
51	END ASSIGN
52	END IF
53	END IF
54	ELSE
55	ASSIGN	Global Variable	RESULT
56		String	FAILED
57	END ASSIGN
58	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_SET_NBR
59		String	FAILED
60	END ASSIGN
61	ASSIGN	Global Variable	HR_MSG_NBR
62		String	00003
63	END ASSIGN
64	END IF

Creating Equity Item Type Groups

To set up equity item type groups, use the Packaging Equity Item Type component (PKG_EQUITY_GROUP).

This section provides an overview of equity item type groups and discusses how to define equity item type groups.

Understanding Equity Item Type Groups

Equity funds are “free money” for students, such as grants and scholarships, and can include parent and/or student contributions. Equity limits are established as part of the packaging plan and equity offsets reduce the amount of equity funds available to a student. Financial aid item types that are defined as equity awards are applied toward the equity limit when they are awarded.

Equity item type groups enable you to group together financial aid item types, regardless of their defined equity attribute, for consideration as equity offsets within a packaging plan. You can designate a financial aid item type not defined as an equity award as an equity item type by including it in an equity item type group. Using equity item type groups, you can have a group of financial aid item types treated as equity awards in one packaging plan but not in another. You do not need to include financial aid item types defined as equity awards in equity item type groups, but nothing prevents you from doing so.

See Also

Defining Awarding and Rounding Rules

Page Used to Create Equity Item Type Groups

Page Name	Object Name	Navigation	Usage
Equity Item Group	PKG_EQUITY_GROUP	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Equity Item Types	Define an equity item type group. Add or delete financial aid item types from an existing group.

Defining Equity Item Type Groups

Access the Equity Item Group page.

Item Type

Select a financial aid item type to include in this equity item type group. All financial aid item types, whether they have been defined as an equity award or not, are available for selection. Insert a new row to add additional financial aid item types to the equity item type group.

Creating Related Item Type Groups

To set up related item type groups, use the Related Item Type Group component (PKG_REL_ITEM_GROUP).

Related item type groups are used to award a group of similar funds, such as institutional or endowed restricted funds, in a specific order until the group maximum is met. For example, an institution may have more than 200 endowed or restricted funds from which to award a student. By implementing a related item type group, you can group together these funds into discrete categories for quick evaluation through packaging plans. If the related item type is used in a packaging plan, the packaging plan maximum may also affect the amount awarded from the related item type group. When a related item type is used in a packaging plan, only the financial aid item types that a student qualifies for are actually awarded.

This section discusses how to define related item type groups.

Pages Used to Create Related Item Type Groups

Page Name	Object Name	Navigation	Usage
Related Item Type Group	PKG_REL_ITEM_GROUP	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Related Item Type Group	Define related item type groups. Add or delete financial aid item types from an existing group.
Equation Summary	PKG_EQTN_SUMRY_SEC	Click Equation Detail on the Related Item Type Group page.	View a Packaging equation written as an algebraic expression.

Defining Related Item Type Groups

Access the Related Item Type Group page.

Group Maximum and Maximum Number of Awards

Enter the maximum dollar amount and the maximum number of awards that can be awarded to one student from this related item group.

Selection Criteria

Select an equation that defines the group of students to select for this related item type group from a list of the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine. This field is optional; you can use it to refine the group of students who are considered for these awards.

Equation Detail

This field appears only if you enter an equation in the Selection Criteria field. Click to access the Equation Summary page and view the selected equation written as an algebraic expression.

Item Type

Select a financial aid item type to include in this related item type group. Insert rows to add additional financial aid item types to the related item type group.

Processing Order

Enter the order in which you want the system to evaluate the associated financial aid item types, with the lowest number evaluated first.

Defining Packaging Plans

To set up packaging plans, use the Packaging Plan component (PACKAGE_PLAN_TABLE).

You can have as many packaging plans as you like. Each plan can have a different set of awards, with different award limits, targeted for different populations of students. Your philosophy on financial aid awarding comes into play as you set up or add packaging plans. Packaging plans are aid year-specific but can be copied from year to year and modified to reflect any changes for the new aid year. Packaging plans are also career-specific.

Before you define your packaging plans, identify your various student populations and their eligibility for various types of financial aid. Creating a flow chart and ranking the various awards available for each group of students may help you to define what each packaging plan should include and what rules should be incorporated in it.

This section discusses how to:

Define packaging plan IDs.
Set up FM packaging target.
Set up IM packaging target.
Define packaging equity limits and offsets.
Define loan and work packaging limits.
Define packaging rules: item type selection, sequence, and limits.
Set packaging rule award limits.
Define packaging rules: award status, disbursement plan, and split code.

Pages Used to Define Packaging Plans

Page Name	Object Name	Navigation	Usage
Packaging Plan	PACKAGE_PLAN_TABLE	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan	Define your packaging plans. When you first add a packaging plan you are asked to enter a career to associate with the plan and a packaging plan ID. Packaging plans are career-specific.
Equation Summary	PKG_EQTN_SUMRY_SEC	Click Equation Detail on the Packaging Plan page, FM Target page, IM Target page, Equity Rule page, Packaging Limits page, or the Packaging Rules 1 page.	View a Packaging equation written as an algebraic expression.
Copy Package Plan Data	PACKAGE_COPY	Click the Copy button on the Packaging Plan page.	Copy packaging plan ID information from one combination of institution, aid year, academic career, packaging plan, effective date, and processing order to another.
FM Target	PKG_PLAN_FED_TRGT	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, FM Target	Set up the packaging target for the packaging plan using federal methodology (FM).
IM Target	PKG_PLAN_INST_TRGT	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, IM Target	Set up the packaging target for the packaging plan using institutional methodology (IM).
Equity Rule	PACKAGE_PLAN_LIMIT	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, Equity Rule	Define packaging equity limits and offsets.
Packaging Limits	PACKAGE_PLAN_LMT2	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, Packaging Limits	Define loan and work award limits for this packaging plan. You can define different limits for federal methodology and institutional methodology.
Packaging Rules 1	PACKAGE_RULE_TABLE	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, Packaging Rules 1	Define financial aid item types, GAP financial aid item types, and related item type groups to the packaging plan. Assign a processing sequence, the percentage of the student's remaining need to meet, and the minimum and maximum award amounts.
Packaging Rule Award Limits	PKG_RULE_LIMIT_SEC	Click the Spending Limit Preferences link on the Packaging Rules 1 page.	Set packaging rule award limits by further defining spending limits for the financial aid item type in the packaging plan.
Packaging Rules 2	PACKAGE_RULE_DISB	Set Up SACR, Product Related, Financial Aid, Awards, Packaging Plan, Packaging Rules 2	Define the default award action, disbursement plan, and split code for each financial aid item type used in the packaging plan.

Defining Packaging Plan IDs

Access the Packaging Plan page.

Processing Order

When the Mass Packaging process has many packaging plans to evaluate during a run, the processing order determines the sequence in which the selected packaging plans are reviewed. The Mass Packaging routine processes the packaging plan with the lowest processing order number first.

Award Period

Select the award period the packaging plan spans. The packaging plan's award period is particularly important during multiple award period processing.

Academic: The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the academic award period. If existing awards have disbursement plan/split code combinations that indicate they belong to the academic award period, the existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the non-standard award period, the existing awards are not reevaluated. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the both award periods, only the portion of the existing awards that belong to the academic award period are reevaluated.

Both: The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the both award periods. All existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled.

Non Std (non-standard): The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the non-standard award period. If existing awards have disbursement plan/split code combinations that indicate they belong to the non-standard award period, the existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the academic award period, the existing awards are not reevaluated. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the both award periods, only the portion of the existing awards that belong to the non-standard award period are reevaluated.

Description

For reference, you may want to include the career that uses this packaging plan in the description for easy identification.

Selection Criteria

Select an equation that determines which students are selected for evaluation with this packaging plan during a Mass Packaging run. You set up these equations with the Equation Engine.

Equation Detail

This field appears only if you enter an equation in the Selection Criteria field. Click to access the Equation Summary page and view the selected equation written as an algebraic expression.

Copy

Click to access the Copy Package Plan Data page and copy packaging plan ID information from one combination of institution, aid year, academic career, packaging plan, effective date, and processing order to another.

Setting Up FM Packaging Target

Access the FM Target page.

The packaging target is defined either as a percentage of the student's financial need or a specific dollar amount or both. For example, the target could be to award students up to 75% of their FM need or up to 12,000.00 USD, or to award 75% of their FM need up to 12,000.00 USD. When you populate this page, the packaging plan evaluates the student's FM need. The packaging plan then attempts to award students up to the target amount. You can also establish award amount limits for this packaging plan that are more restrictive than those defined at the financial aid item type level.

FM Packaging Target

% of Total Need	Enter the percentage of the student’s FM need you want this packaging plan to meet.
Disable Percentage	Select if you want the packaging target to be determined by a maximum amount only. Clear if you want to use a maximum amount as well as a percentage to determine the packaging target. If you are not entering a maximum amount, you must clear this check box. When you combine % of Total Need with Maximum Amount you can indicate, for example, that the packaging plan is to meet 80% of FM need but only up to a maximum of 5,000.00 USD.
Maximum Amount	Enter the maximum amount of financial aid to be awarded by this packaging plan. Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the packaging target. Select Equation to invoke an equation to determine the dollar amount to be used as the FM packaging target. The available options in this field include all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.
Equation Detail	This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Note. FFELP or Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are treated differently by the packaging targets and limits. These awards are not limited by the packaging target because the eligibility for these awards allows them to be given up to the aggregate level maximum without regard to an "artificial" limit.

FM Packaging Target Limit

Follow Item Type Limits	Select to invoke the financial aid item type limits established on the FA Item Type 4 page.
Override at Plan Level for	Select to establish award amount limits that differ from those at the financial aid item type level for financial aid item types in a specific meet need/cost category. The meet need/cost categories you can choose from in this field are Conditional, Cost Only, No Effect, and Special Need/Cost.
Maximum Amount	Enter the new packaging plan-specific limit for those financial aid item types you specified in the Override at Plan Level for field. Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the limit. Select Equation to use an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.
Equation Detail	This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Note. The cost of attendance is always the maximum limit for awarding with a packaging plan except when awarding 'No Effect' awards.

See Also

Defining Awarding and Rounding Rules

Setting Up IM Packaging Target

Access the IM Target page.

The packaging target is defined either as a percentage of the student's financial need or a specific dollar amount or both. For example, the target could be to award students up to 80% of their IM need or up to 8,000.00 USD, or to award 80% of their IM need up to 8,000.00 USD. When you populate this page, the packaging plan evaluates the student's IM need. The packaging plan then attempts to award students up to the target amount. You can also establish award amount limits for this packaging plan that are more restrictive than those defined at the financial aid item type level.

The fields on this page match those on the FM Target page.

See Also

Setting Up FM Packaging Target

Defining Packaging Equity Limits and Offsets

Access the Equity Rule page.

Equity packaging enables you to ensure that similar populations of students—all graduates, all teacher credential candidates, all first-time freshmen, all students whose EFC equals zero, and so on—are packaged equally with "free" money from federal, state, institutional, or private sources. The equity target amount—referred to in our system as the equity limit—can be reduced or offset by parent contribution, student contribution, Social Security benefits, equity item type groups or any combination of these resources. The Packaging routine prevents the student from being awarded an equity award amount (from the equity aid financial aid item types included as packaging rules) that exceeds the equity target amount.

Equity Limit

Maximum Amount

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid to be awarded from equity item types for this packaging plan. You must enter an amount or an equation to make the fields in the Offset group box available.

Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the equity limit. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to invoke an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the equity limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.

Equation Detail

This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Offset

Reduce the equity amount awarded by the packaging plan by selecting one or more of the offset check boxes. If you choose any FM offsets, the IM offsets are not available, and vice versa.

Parent Contribution (FM)	Select to use the amount the student’s parent is expected to contribute—as calculated using federal methodology from federal application data—as an offset. The amount used for this field depends on the award period to which this packaging plan is assigned. If the packaging plan designates the award period as: Academic, the packaging routine uses the prorated parent contribution on the academic award period record. Non-standard, the Packaging routine uses the prorated parent contribution on the non-standard award period record. Both, the Packaging routine uses the sum of the academic prorated parent contribution and the non-standard prorated parent contribution as an equity offset.
Student Contribution (FM)	Select to use the amount the student is expected to contribute—as calculated using federal methodology from federal application data—as an offset. The amount used for this field depends on the award period to which this packaging plan is assigned. If the packaging plan designates the award period as: Academic, the Packaging routine uses the prorated student contribution on the academic award period record. Non-standard, the Packaging routine uses the prorated student contribution on the non-standard award period record. Both, the packaging routine uses the sum of the academic prorated student contribution and the non-standard prorated student contribution as an equity offset.
Social Security Benefits (FM)	Select to use the amount of Social Security benefits received by the student as an equity offset. This amount comes from federal application data.
Parent Contribution (IM)	Select to use the amount the student’s parent is expected to contribute—as calculated using institutional methodology from institutional application data—as an offset. The amount used for this field depends on the award period to which this packaging plan is assigned. If the packaging plan designates the award period as: Academic, the packaging routine uses the prorated parent contribution on the academic award period record. Non-standard, the Packaging routine uses the prorated parent contribution on the non-standard award period record. Both, the Packaging routine uses the sum of the academic prorated parent contribution and the non-standard prorated parent contribution as an equity offset.
Student Contribution (IM)	Select to use the amount the student is expected to contribute—as calculated using institutional methodology from institutional application data—as an offset. The amount used for this field depends on the award period to which this packaging plan is assigned. If the packaging plan designates the award period as: Academic, the Packaging routine uses the prorated student contribution on the academic award period record. Non-standard, the Packaging routine uses the prorated student contribution on the non-standard award period record. Both, the packaging routine uses the sum of the academic prorated student contribution and the non-standard prorated student contribution as an equity offset.
Social Security Benefits (IM)	Select to use the amount of Social Security benefits received by the student as an offset. This amount comes from institutional application data.
Equity Item Types	Select to choose an equity item type group as an offset. The Equity Item Group field becomes active when you select this check box.
Equity Item Group	Select an equity item type group to use as an offset. You cannot select an equity item type group without selecting the Equity Item Types check box. Equity item type groups are defined on the Equity Item Group page. See Creating Equity Item Type Groups.

Defining Loan and Work Packaging Limits

Access the Packaging Limits page.

Loan Limits

Enter a maximum amount awarded by this packaging plan for federal loans and institutional loans.

Federal Maximum

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid from federal loans to be awarded for this packaging plan. The Packaging routine determines if a loan is a federal loan using the Source field from the FA Item Type 1 page; if the Source = F—Federal, then the loan counts toward this limit.

Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the federal loan limit. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to use an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the federal loan limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.

Institutional Maximum

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid from institutional loans to be awarded for this packaging plan. The Packaging routine determines if a loan is a institutional loan using the Source field from the FA Item Type 1 page; if the Source = I—Institutional, then the loan counts toward this limit.

Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the institutional loan limit. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to use an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the institutional loan limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.

Equation Detail

This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Work Limits

Enter a maximum amount awarded by this packaging plan for federal work-study and institutional work-study.

Federal Maximum

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid from federal work-study to be awarded for this packaging plan. The Packaging routine determines if a work-study award is a federal work-study award using the Source field from the FA Item Type 1 page; if the Source = F—Federal, then the work-study award counts toward this limit.

Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the federal work-study limit. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to use an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the federal work-study limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.

Institutional Maximum

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid from institutional work-study to be awarded for this packaging plan. The Packaging routine determines if a work-study award is a federal work-study award using the Source field from the FA Item Type 1 page; if the Source = I—Institutional, then the work-study award counts toward this limit.

Select Constant to use a specific, constant dollar amount as the institutional work-study limit. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to use an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the institutional work-study limit. The available options are all the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine.

Equation Detail

This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Defining Packaging Rules: Item Type Selection, Sequence and Limits

Access the Packaging Rules 1 page.

You should complete the Packaging Rules 1 page in conjunction with the Packaging Rules 2 page.

Item Types

If you are setting up a Pell-only repackaging plan, you can only enter Pell Grant financial aid item types as a packaging rule and you must use the Item Type option.

Sequence Nbr (sequence number)	The sequence number determines the order in which the system processes the associated packaging rule within the packaging plan.
Gap	Select to have a defined amount that the awarding process does not award. You can think of a gap as a place holder or limit condition. Use it as a means of stretching funds by not covering all unmet need, or use it as a method of reserving unmet need for specific institutional funds or additional external awards later on. The Packaging routine first reviews the aid processing rule assigned to the student's program, and uses the GAP financial aid item type associated with the aid processing rule. If there is not an aid processing rule associated with the program or no GAP financial aid item type has been assigned to the aid processing rule, the Packaging routine reviews the aid processing rule assigned to the student's career (as specified on the Valid Careers for Aid Year page) to determine the GAP financial aid item type. If no aid processing rule has been assigned to the student's career, or no GAP financial aid item type has been assigned to the aid processing rule, the Packaging routine uses the GAP financial aid item type entered on the Financial Aid Defaults page. Note. Since the Packaging routine dynamically determines the GAP financial aid item type based on defaults (aid processing rule set or installation defaults), you do not (and cannot) enter the GAP financial aid item type on this page. You receive a conversion program to blank out the financial aid item type if the packaging rule is a GAP packaging rule for your existing records.
Item Type	Select to associate a financial aid item type with this packaging plan. Enter the financial aid item type you want the packaging plan to award. For a financial aid item type to be available in the options list, the financial aid item type must be defined as an auto package award. See Defining Awarding and Rounding Rules.
Related Item Group	Select to associate a related item type group with this packaging plan. Enter the related item type group you want the packaging plan to award.
Selection Criteria	Enter an equation in this field if there are additional awarding selection criteria to be used specifically with this plan for this particular financial aid item type.
Equation Detail	This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.
% of Total Package	Enter the percentage of the student's remaining unmet need this financial aid item type can cover. For example, you could indicate that no more than 10 percent of the student's remaining unmet need can be awarded from a university grant. The percentage amount can include one decimal place, for example 8.5 percent.
Spending Limit Preferences	Click to access the Packaging Rule Award Limits page and further limit or control spending for the financial aid item type in this specific packaging plan.

Limited By

Set additional maximum and minimum limits for this financial aid item type in this specific packaging plan. When Auto Packaging and Mass Packaging determine award amounts and when you run the validation process, all eligibility rules, aggregate limits, minimum and maximum award limits, fiscal fund availability, and financial aid item type rules are checked. When determining the maximum award limit, the lowest maximum award limit from the maximum limits set at the item type, financial aid item type, aggregate aid, fiscal item type, and packaging plan levels is used. The minimum award limit used is the lowest minimum award limit from the minimum limits set at the item type, financial aid item type, and packaging plan levels.

Minimum

Enter the minimum amount of financial aid from this financial aid item type to be awarded per term for this packaging plan.

Select Constant to assign a specific, constant dollar amount as the award minimum. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to invoke an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the award minimum.

Maximum

Enter the maximum amount of financial aid from this financial aid item type to be awarded per term for this packaging plan.

Select Constant to assign a specific, constant dollar amount as the award maximum. Enter the dollar amount in the field to the right of the Equation option.

Select Equation to invoke an equation to determine the dollar amount used as the award maximum.

Equation Detail

This link is available once you have selected an equation. Click to view the Equation Summary page.

Limiting Factor

Choose to further limit the award amount once the system determines the annual award amount. You must select one of the three options in this group box.

Nbr Units (number of units)	This option is not supported. Select to limit the awards of this financial aid item type based on the number of units the student is taking.
Nbr Weeks (number of weeks)	This option is not supported. Select to limit the awards of this financial aid item type based on the number of weeks the student is enrolled.
None	Select if this is a Pell financial aid item type or if you want no additional limiting factors to be considered for awards of this financial aid item type.

Setting Packaging Rule Award Limits

Access the Packaging Rule Award Limits page.

Select one of the four options for limiting the total amount awarded for this financial aid item type. The spending limit you set up here only affects this financial aid item type when it is used in this packaging plan.

No Spending Limit	No fiscal limits are set when awarding this financial aid item type in this packaging plan. By choosing this option, the packaging plan awards as much money as is needed for each student who receives this packaging plan. You could use this option to forecast how much money you would need from this financial aid item type for the upcoming fiscal year. Be extremely careful when you select this option. Use it only when you are running Mass Packaging in simulation mode.
Use Remaining Fund Balance	This is the default value. The financial aid item type can be awarded up to the maximum amount available in the specified fiscal item type fund.
Specify Amount	Enter a fixed dollar amount as the limit to be awarded from this financial aid item type per student.
% of Original Fund Balance	The financial aid item type can be awarded up to the indicated percentage of the available fiscal item type fund balance (not the budgeted, or original, fiscal item type fund balance). For example, you could limit spending for each student for the University Grant to no more than 1% of the University Grant's available fiscal balance of 800,000.00 USD. In this example, you would have 8,000.00 USD to award from the University Grant financial aid item type for this student.

See Also

Budgeting Fiscal Limits

Defining Packaging Rules: Award Status, Disbursement Plan and Split Code

Access the Packaging Rules 2 page.

You should complete the Packaging Rules 2 page in conjunction with the Packaging Rules 1 page.

Item Type Defaults

The system identifies the Sequence Nbr (sequence number) of the proposed award and whether the packaging rule is for a financial aid item type, related item type group, or Gap item type.

Award Action

Enter the default award action you want the system to use when awarding this financial aid item type to the student. The default award action appears in the Action field on the award entry pages for the financial aid item type associated with this packaging rule.

B—Offer/Accept: The Packaging routine awards this financial aid item type as accepted. Both the Offered and Accepted fields on the award entry pages are populated with the same amount when the award is made. You may want to use this value for grants and scholarships.

O—Offer: The Packaging routine awards this financial aid item type as offered only. Only the Offered field on the award entry pages is populated when the award is made. The Accepted field remains at zero. You must subsequently accept, decline, or cancel this award for future processing.

See Awarding Online.

Disbursement Plan

Use Item Type Default	This is the default option. Select to use the default disbursement plan established for this financial aid item type. The system automatically populates the Disb Plan field on this page with the default disbursement plan specified in the financial aid item type setup.
Override Default	Select to set up a different default disbursement plan for this financial aid item type when used with this packaging plan. You must enter the desired default disbursement plan in the Disb Plan field.
Disb Plan (disbursement plan)	The disbursement plan instructs the system what pattern of disbursement to use for this financial aid item type.

Split Code

In this group box, you can choose whether to use the default disbursement split for this financial aid item type or select a specific disbursement split to use for this financial aid item type in this packaging plan.

Use Item Type Default	This is the default option. Select to use the default split code established for this financial aid item type. The system automatically populates the Split Code field on this page with the default split code.
Override Default	Select to set up a different default split code for this financial aid item type when used with this packaging plan. Enter the new default split code in the Split Code field.
Split Code	Defines how the award disbursements are split among terms.
Custom Split Defined By	Select if you choose to follow a different disbursement pattern than the defined split codes for this financial aid item type. Attendance: The disbursement split is based on the number of terms the student is in attendance. Attendance is based on number of weeks per term so the scheduled award disbursement calculation amount varies from term to term when terms are defined by differing total week spans. COA: The disbursement split is based on the cost of attendance (COA) for each term. For example, if your fall term COA is more than your spring term COA, the award is prorated according to each term’s percent of total COA. EFC: The disbursement split is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If your fall term EFC is more than your spring term EFC, as determined by the number of weeks in each term and the prorated EFC, the award is prorated according to each term’s EFC. Enrollment: The disbursement split is based on the number of units taken by the student for each term. This option is not currently supported. Equal Wt (weight): The award amount is split equally among terms, regardless of any other factors. Need: The disbursement split is based on the need in each term. For example, the need in the fall term may be greater, so more of the award is disbursed in the fall.

Note. The selected split code is used unless the student’s enrollment pattern varies from the pattern defined by the chosen split code. In that case, the system returns a custom split code and disbursement plan that match the student’s actual enrollment. For example, if the split code divides the award evenly between three quarters of the academic year, but the student is only attending two of the three quarters, the system splits the disbursement between two terms instead of three.

Defining Financial Aid Item Types

Group Maximum and Maximum Number of Awards	Enter the maximum dollar amount and the maximum number of awards that can be awarded to one student from this related item group.
Selection Criteria	Select an equation that defines the group of students to select for this related item type group from a list of the equations that you have created using the Equation Engine. This field is optional; you can use it to refine the group of students who are considered for these awards.
Equation Detail	This field appears only if you enter an equation in the Selection Criteria field. Click to access the Equation Summary page and view the selected equation written as an algebraic expression.
Item Type	Select a financial aid item type to include in this related item type group. Insert rows to add additional financial aid item types to the related item type group.
Processing Order	Enter the order in which you want the system to evaluate the associated financial aid item types, with the lowest number evaluated first.

Processing Order	When the Mass Packaging process has many packaging plans to evaluate during a run, the processing order determines the sequence in which the selected packaging plans are reviewed. The Mass Packaging routine processes the packaging plan with the lowest processing order number first.
Award Period	Select the award period the packaging plan spans. The packaging plan's award period is particularly important during multiple award period processing. Academic: The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the academic award period. If existing awards have disbursement plan/split code combinations that indicate they belong to the academic award period, the existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the non-standard award period, the existing awards are not reevaluated. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the both award periods, only the portion of the existing awards that belong to the academic award period are reevaluated. Both: The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the both award periods. All existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled. Non Std (non-standard): The packaging rules in this packaging plan apply to the non-standard award period. If existing awards have disbursement plan/split code combinations that indicate they belong to the non-standard award period, the existing awards are reevaluated and may be changed or canceled. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the academic award period, the existing awards are not reevaluated. If the disbursement plan/split code combinations indicate the existing awards belong to the both award periods, only the portion of the existing awards that belong to the non-standard award period are reevaluated.
Description	For reference, you may want to include the career that uses this packaging plan in the description for easy identification.
Selection Criteria	Select an equation that determines which students are selected for evaluation with this packaging plan during a Mass Packaging run. You set up these equations with the Equation Engine.
Equation Detail	This field appears only if you enter an equation in the Selection Criteria field. Click to access the Equation Summary page and view the selected equation written as an algebraic expression.
Copy	Click to access the Copy Package Plan Data page and copy packaging plan ID information from one combination of institution, aid year, academic career, packaging plan, effective date, and processing order to another.