NO! Assuming that your friend has been taking the JAR-FCL route, the old '9 month rule' does not apply. Make sure that your friend's school is using the correct form (FCL-JAR02) and NOT the old FCL 102. Instruction 2 on page 4 of the old FCL 102 describes the old '9 month rule'; the instructions for JAR-FCL PPL applicants are clearly stated on page 3 of the FCL-JAR02 application form and contain no such restriction.
Which so-called school is still giving student pilots such poor information?