Disbursement of Financial Aid Awards
With the exception of Federal Work-Study, financial aid funds are generally credited directly to a student’s account and applied toward tuition and fees each semester. With student authorization, financial aid funds may additionally be used to pay other eligible charges on the student account, including bookstore purchases, on-campus housing, meal plans, parking fees, and other approved educational expenses.
Federal Work-Study funds are not credited directly to the student account. Instead, students employed through the Federal Work-Study program are paid through the College payroll system in the form of a biweekly paycheck for authorized hours worked.
Financial aid disbursements generally begin approximately 30 days after the start of classes. This includes federal Title IV financial aid programs such as:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal PLUS Loans
- Certain private educational loans
The timing of disbursements for non-Title IV aid programs varies depending on the funding source and program requirements. Some programs, such as New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards, are disbursed only after the College receives final award confirmation from New York State. Other aid programs may not disburse until funds are received from the external agency or funding source.
If a student is enrolled in coursework that begins later than the standard semester start date, portions of the student’s financial aid may be delayed until the student begins attendance in those late-start classes.
If a student’s total financial aid exceeds institutional charges, the student may be eligible to receive a financial aid refund for the excess funds. Refunds are generally issued within fourteen (14) days of the financial aid disbursement creating the credit balance.
Refunds are processed by the Student Accounts Office and issued through BankMobile or by paper check. Refunds are typically processed on a weekly or biweekly basis throughout the semester.