Disbursement Policy

Financial aid awards are calculated based on the number of units per semester.

Disbursements begin:

• one week before the start of the semester, and
• disburse twice a week through Census and continue weekly thereafter.

A change in enrollment or an increase in aid eligibility may cause an over-award and result in repayment of financial aid funds.

Refund Policy

All enrollment costs and fees are deducted from financial aid prior to calculating a refund.

After aid disburses refunds are delivered:

• eRefund: 2 - 3 business days
• Check: mailed to the student or parent’s permanent address

Sign up for eRefund

Receiving Your Aid

Receiving Your Aid

To ensure you receive your financial aid, make sure to monitor activity in your Student Center:

• Clear all Financial Aid holds listed in the "Holds" section.
• Submit all "initiated" To Do List Items promptly.
• Understand unit requirements in relationship to your award amount.

Cancelling Aid

Cancelling Aid

You have the right to cancel all or a portion of your loan(s):

• within 14 days of being notified funds have been applied to your student account, or
• within 14 days after the start of the semester, whichever is later.

Complete the Student Change in Aid (e-Form) to initiate the change.

Change in Aid Form

Pell and Cal Grant Unit Requirements

Aid is offered based on full-time enrollment. The following guidelines demonstrate how funds are distributed based on enrolled units.

Pell Grant Requirement:

Awards are based on enrollment intensity.

*Credential students must be enrolled in six Pell-eligible credential units to receive the Pell Grant.

Cal Grant Requirements:

Federal Direct Student Loans

Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans are based on your enrollment level. Loan amounts are generally awarded based on full-time enrollment, but you must be enrolled at least half-time to receive loan funds.

Important Update for 2026-2027

Beginning July 1, 2026, federal regulations require that annual Direct Loan limits be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time. This applies to all Direct Loan borrowers, including undergraduate and graduate students receiving: Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans.

Example: An independent undergraduate student who is a Senior enrolled full-time for the academic year (24 units or 12 units per semester) is eligible for the annual loan amount of $12,500 in Direct Loans (or $6,250 per semester)

Final Semester Exception
If you are an Undergraduate student enrolled in only one semester and it is your final semester before graduation; your Direct Loan may be prorated based on the number of units enrolled in and your remaining loan eligibility.