Originally Posted By: bglolli
If I apply for a permit for say 3 to 4 hikers or even the max of 15, should the number I request not be available, will the program award a permit on one of my requested dates for a smaller size party up to my max or just automatically kick me out as unable to fill?

It does not award partial group permits. It then moves on to your second, then third choices, etc, looking for the first date where your whole group will fit. Once all dates are tried, and if none is available, you are out of the game.