Financial Aid Refund Dates and Disbursement FAQs

• Financial Aid works in conjunction with Finance to apply student financial aid to student accounts. These payments are called “disbursements” and begin the first week of classes each semester.
• To better support Pell Grant students in purchasing their books and supplies in a timely fashion, financial aid is disbursed to eligible students as early as the Friday in the first week of classes each semester and weekly thereafter.
• Most financial aid will first be applied to institutional charges, which include: tuition and mandatory State and campus fees. Any remaining financial aid after institutional charges are paid will then be refunded to the student.

• Loans are also disbursed twice each semester. The full amount of loan funds for the semester will be disbursed as long as the student is enrolled in a minimum of six units.
• If you are enrolled part-time (fewer than 12 units), you may receive a partial payment of the State Cal Grant or Federal Pell Grant.

Pell Grant recipients who change their enrollment status (adding or dropping classes) will have their eligibility recalculated until the Pell Grant recalculation date each term, after the start of the 2nd 8-week session near the midpoint in the term. For Fall 2025, this is October 20, 2025, and for Spring 2026, it is March 23, 2026. No further Pell Grant adjustments are made (upwards or downwards) after the 2nd Pell Grant disbursement and the Recalculation Date. Students who drop course(s) may be required to repay a portion of their disbursement. Students have the option to enroll in classes until the Pell Grant Recalculation Date each term to avoid an overpayment. It is critical that students always contact their home college's financial aid office before dropping any classes in the term to determine the impact.

Cal Grants and Student Success Completion Grants (SSCG) are disbursed on the first scheduled disbursement run after the full-term census date. All classes for which a student is enrolled at the time of disbursement, including any 2^nd 8-week or Intersession classes, are included. No enrollment adjustments, upwards or downwards, are made after the Cal Grant disbursement date. It is critical that Cal Grant students enroll in all classes for the term prior to the date of the first disbursement. Please be sure to plan accordingly.

Student Success Completion Grants (SSCG) are disbursed at the same time as Cal Grants. Only full-time Cal Grant B and C students are eligible to receive an SSCG. Similar to Cal Grants, SSCG awards are based on enrollment at the time of disbursement. No adjustments are made afterwards.

It is critical that Cal Grant students enroll in all classes for the term prior to the date of the first disbursement. Please be sure to plan accordingly.

 Cal Grant funds are all refunded to students.