Financial Aid Disbursements

Financial aid refunds are amounts due to the student after outstanding fees are deducted.

**Please note that you will receive your funds within 15 days after the disbursement date.**

Pell Grant
Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Summer 2027	08/13/26 and 09/10/26 01/14/27 and 02/11/27 06/03/27 and 06/17/27
Cal-Grant
Fall 2026 Spring 2027	09/10/26 02/11/27
Full Year Loan**
Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Summer 2027	08/13/26 01/14/27 06/03/27
Scholarships*
Some vary request of donor, upon transfer, etc.
Work-Study
On the 15th of the month after time sheet is approved online
Disbursement Adjustments
Reverse disbursements occur when units enrolled decreases

*Regular refunds occur when:

• Application is completed prior to start of term, including loan requirements
• Enrolled in the required number of units at least one week prior to start of term
• Not subject to disqualification
• Have no holds

Disbursement Process

All financial aid funds are disbursed on scheduled dates each term. The enrollment status of students for financial aid awarding and disbursement purposes is finalized at the census date of the semester, as noted on the College’s Academic Calendar. 

There is no appeal process for how the PRD or census date is applied. These dates are established in accordance with federal and state financial aid regulations and college policy and must be applied consistently to all students. Changes to enrollment after the applicable PRD/census date cannot be considered for additional financial aid eligibility.

As long as students are enrolled in an eligible program and their financial aid file is complete, students will receive two disbursements of Federal Grant aid each semester, based on their enrollment level at census date (date varies by semester) and classes actively in session. The census date applies to all courses regardless of when the course begins or ends. If students are enrolled in a late start class, it will be paid when their attendance begins. Students enrolled in late start classes may initially receive less funds than their enrolled units but will receive additional disbursements as the late start class begins.

• Federal Grant Aid includes Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Federal Direct Loans are also disbursed in two payments based on the approved loan period
• Direct Loans are not disbursed for late-start classes until the student is enrolled and attending at least six units of coursework required for their program of study.
• NEW! Effective Fall 2026, federal regulations require schools to prorate Federal Direct Loan amounts based on a student's CPOS-approved enrollment. Students enrolled less than full time may receive a reduced loan amount. For more information, please visit the Federal Aid Changes page on our districtwide student loan information website.
• Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) funds are one disbursement after census.

**For Direct Loan first-year borrowers, there is a 30‑day delay in the release of a first loan disbursement. The 30‑day period begins on the first day of the term, not of the loan application or approval date.

Census Day is the date which locks in your number of units for Grant considerations.

Fall 2026 Census: 09/08/2026
Spring 2027 Census: 02/08/2027
Summer 2027 Census: 06/15/2027

2025-2026 Loan Application Deadlines

Term	Last Day to Submit
Full-Year	Fall 2026/Spring 2027 semester: April 23, 2027
Fall 2026 only	November 23, 2026
Spring 2027 only	April 23, 2027
Summer 2027 only	July 1, 2027

Note: To be considered for a full-year loan in the spring term, you must have:

1. completed 6 or more degree-applicable units during the fall and
2. be in good student academic progress (SAP) standing.

All loan requests require:

• a copy of your social security card
• a copy of your current valid government issued ID
• a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (SEP)
• the completed form

The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices for more information.

Please Note: If prompted to enter your school name, use San Mateo County Community College District. We are enrolled with BankMobile Disbursements as a college district, not as three separate colleges.