Pell Grants are normally disbursed in two payments each semester, according to the disbursement schedule. The amount of your disbursement is based on the number of units you are actively enrolled in 15 days prior to the disbursement date.

• If you drop units, your second disbursement will be adjusted/reduced/cancelled
• If you drop units, you may be in overpayment. You will be notified of the overpayment by e-mail
• If you are not enrolled full-time, your Pell Grant will be prorated

Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, the way you qualify for a Pell Grant will change. Instead of using categories like “full-time” or “half-time,” it will now be based on something called “enrollment intensity.”

Enrollment intensity is a percentage that shows how many units you’re taking compared to a full-time course load, or 12 units. Your Pell Grant amount will be based on this percentage, which is more flexible and better matches your actual classes.

Keep in mind, this change only applies to the Federal Pell Grant. Other aid programs, like Cal Grant, will still use the old categories.

If your award letter includes a “Promise Grant”, you are eligible to have your enrollment fees waived for the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters. This waiver will automatically show up when you register and be reflected on your registration statement. It is not a cash award. The Promise Grant does NOT cover the mandatory Health Fee or any class material fees. If you paid your enrollment fees, and then were awarded a fee waiver, apply for a refund at the Business Office or online. Apply for a refund of your enrollment fees.

SEOG funds are disbursed once a semester according to the disbursement schedule. You must be actively enrolled in at least 6 units.

Loan funds are generally disbursed once a semester according to the disbursement schedule. You must be actively enrolled in at least 6 units. Loan funds for new borrowers may be held for disbursement until 30 days into the semester. If you are requesting a loan for only one semester, your loan may have to be paid in two disbursements. If you are requesting a loan for the final semester of your academic program, your approved loan amount may be prorated.

Cal Grant funds are disbursed once a semester according to the disbursement schedule. You must be actively enrolled in at least 6 units. The Cal Grant disbursement dates are estimated based on the date we expect to receive Cal Grant funds from the State.

A: The quickest way for you to access your financial aid funds is to sign up for direct deposit through Self-Service. Paper checks will be mailed on the disbursement date and you can expect to receive your check within 1-5 days. Checks NOT cashed within 30 days may be cancelled. If you do not receive your check as scheduled, please read the Question and Answer section below before contacting the Financial Aid Office. For checks lost in the mail, there is a 10-business day wait period before checks can be voided and re-issued. If your check is lost or destroyed, contact the Business Service Office at (559) 494-3042.

A: These units may not have been considered for payment if you added the class within 15 days from the disbursement date. However, you may still be entitled to additional funds that will be sent out on the next disbursement date (see chart below). You will be notified by e-mail if you are eligible.

A: Your Pell Grant award amount on WebAdvisor is based on full-time enrollment. If you are not in 12 units, your award will be prorated to 75% if you are in 9-11.5 units or 50% if you are enrolled in 6-8.5 units. For example, if your semester Pell Grant award is $2000 and you are enrolled in 7 units, you will be eligible for $1000 ($2000 x .50). You will only receive 50% of this amount, $500 ($1000 x .5) on the first disbursement and 50%, $500 ($1000 x .5) on the second Pell disbursement. Please be aware that any change in your enrollment may affect your Pell Grant amount.

A: If you owe a repayment of financial aid funds, tuition, child care fees, or other college fees, your financial aid will be applied to any outstanding debts to the college.

A: Some awards require a minimum unit enrollment of half-time (6-8.5 units) or full-time (12+ units). Review the section below "How funds are disbursed by program."

A: You may not receive financial aid from two institutions for the same semester/term. If you are not attending a college or university that has issued you a financial aid check, return the funds immediately! If you never attended, you will be billed for these funds and if they are not promptly repaid, you may be sent to a collection agency.

A: The processing of your financial aid disbursement begins 15 days before the actual disbursement date. If

during this two week period you withdraw or are dropped from classes, your financial aid disbursement could be reduced, delayed, or cancelled.  Before contacting the Financial Aid Office, verify your class schedule through WebAdvisor to make sure you are actively enrolled in all the classes you are attending.  If the

Financial Aid Office receives any information that changes your eligibility, your check could be held or cancelled.  You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (559) 494-3012 to verify your eligibility.

A: Financial aid verifies your unit enrollment 15 days prior to the disbursement date. If you change your enrollment during this 15 day period, this may affect your disbursement. Check the start date of your classes. Units for classes that begin the second nine weeks of the semester will not be paid until you begin the class (October 7th disbursement for the Fall and March 10th disbursement for the Spring). Verify your enrollment through WebAdvisor to make sure you are actively enrolled in all the classes