Disbursement FAQs
Financial aid disbursement is the process of applying your awarded financial aid to your student account. Once disbursed, your aid first pays tuition and fees, and any remaining eligible funds may be available as a bookstore credit or issued to you as a financial aid refund.
Refer to Financial Aid Terms to Know for important terminologies and definitions.
What is financial aid disbursement?
Disbursement is when your financial aid is applied to your student account to pay your tuition, fees, and other eligible charges.
What is the difference between a disbursement and a refund?
- Disbursement: Aid pays your term balance.
- Refund: Any remaining money is sent to you.
Refunds are issued after the Census Date and only if you have been attending your classes.
Learn about refund delivery options.
How and when do my classes get paid?
How Your Classes Get Paid
If you enrolled in classes, accepted your financial aid award, and your financial aid is pending, your classes will not be dropped if you haven't paid for them by the payment deadline. They will be held until your financial aid is disbursed.
When Your Classes Get Paid
Aid is disbursed after the term begins. You will receive an email to your @my.tccd.edu account with details about your disbursement.
After Your Classes Get Paid
If you still owe a balance, learn how to pay or set up a payment plan.
How much aid could I receive in my disbursement?
Your disbursement amount depends on:
- your total award,
- the number of credit hours you're enrolled in (also know as your enrollment status),
- and if you're registered for courses required in your academic plan.
Learn more about enrollment status requirements for:
Pell Grants Enrollment Level
Use the charts below to estimate how much of your award you may receive based on the number of credit hours you’re enrolled in for the semester.
| Credit Hours Enrolled | Percentage of Aid (Enrollment Intensity) |
|---|---|
| 12+ | 100% |
| 11 | 92% |
| 10 | 83% |
| 9 | 75% |
| 8 | 67% |
| 7 | 58% |
| 6 | 50% |
| 5 | 42% |
| 4 | 33% |
| 3 | 25% |
| 2 | 17% |
| 1 | 8% |
TPEG and FSEOG Grants
| Credit Hours Enrolled | Percentage of Aid (Enrollment Intensity) |
|---|---|
| 12+ | 100% |
| 9–11 | 75% |
| 6–8 | 50% |
| 1–5 | 25% |
Other Types of Financial Aid
Contact Student Financial Aid Services for help understanding enrollment requirements for other aid types.
I'm not taking a 16-week class: when will I receive my disbursement?
If your class is in a non-standard term (anything shorter or different from the regular 16-week schedule), your aid will disburse after that class begins.
Non-standard terms may include, but are not limited to:
- MOD Math
- STSC 0111
- 8-week classes
- Weekend College
What happens if I still have a balance after my disbursement?
You must pay any remaining balance before the Census Date to avoid being dropped from your classes.
You may pay the remaining balance with Business Services or sign up for a payment plan. Learn more about available payment methods.
I'm thinking of dropping a class, will it affect my disbursement?
Yes, changing your schedule can affect how much aid you receive.
Before adding or dropping classes, review financial aid recalculations rules and contact Student Financial Aid Services for help understanding how your aid may change.
Updated January 09, 2026