Financial Aid Refund FAQs

Why isn't my financial aid disbursing before the term begins?

To reduce risks, enhance security, and to see that students receive the funds they need to be successful.

How do I know how much financial aid I'll receive?

You can view your award letter and other financial aid information in MyTCCTrack.

What is my anticipated aid? How does this differ from my refund?

Anticipated aid is based on actual term enrollments and eligibility of financial aid.

You may see this financial aid words being used in your MyTCCTrack student account summary.

Important Financial Aid Words to Know

Financial Aid Award: The initial offer of financial assistance based on eligibility. 

Anticipated Aid: Based on actual term enrollments, start date, and eligibility for your financial aid award. For classes that start after the first day of the term, this will appear 10 days before the start of class. 

Financial Aid Disbursement: When your financial aid funds are applied to your term balance on your student account. 

Financial Aid Refund: Any money left over after your financial aid has been disbursed and paid the term balance on your account. 

It's important to understand these words to effectively manage your financial aid and cover your educational expenses. If you have any questions, contact the Financial Aid Office for clarification.

Will I be dropped from my classes if I lose aid eligibility after the term starts?

Yes, you could be at risk of being dropped if your financial aid does not pay out and you have not registered for a payment plan. If you are not planning to take a class, you are still responsible for dropping the class yourself to avoid any non-refundable tuition charges.

Why am I ineligible for part of my aid?

Contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions about your eligibility for aid.

How do I dispute my attendance records that resulted in financial aid ineligibility?

First, you will need to work with your instructor(s) to verify your attendance. Your instructor can correct attendance records (if necessary) with the Financial Aid Office.

When can I use my available credit balance at the bookstore?

Your credit balance will be available 10 days prior to the start of the term through the fourth day of the term to purchase books and other required materials.

How will I purchase books/supplies since I won't receive my refund until after the census date?

You will be able to use your financial aid credit balance at the bookstore up to 10 days before the start of the term. Your credit balance is based on your anticipated aid minus your term balance.

Does MyTCCTrack display my bookstore charges?

Yes, however, your bookstore charges could take 24-48 hours to show on your account.

Does the bookstore know my available credit balance?

Campus bookstores will be provided with your available balance information as soon as 10 days before the start of the term. The available balance will be based on anticipated aid minus your term balance. Changes in your available balance may take up to 24 hours to update.

What if I have classes that start at the beginning of the term and later in the term?

For classes starting at the beginning of the term, you can use your anticipated financial aid to purchase books and materials during the Bookstore Credit availability timeframe (Friday, August 15 to Thursday, August 28, 2025).

For your later starting classes, you will receive a portion of your available credit as a refund during the first week of class, which you can then use anywhere to purchase your books and supplies.

What if I only register for classes that start later in the term?

During the first week of class, you will receive a portion of your available credit as a refund, which you can then use anywhere to purchase your books and supplies.

What if I want or need to purchase required books/supplies from another source?

If you wish to buy books and supplies outside of a TCC campus bookstore, up to $750 will be refunded to you (based on anticipated aid) by the seventh day of the term.

If you have used less than $750 in credit at the bookstore AND you have an available credit balance, you will be refunded your available credit minus your bookstore charges, up to $750, by the seventh day of the term.

For example, if you have $1,000 in available credit and spend $300 at the bookstore, you will be refunded $450 by the seventh day of the term, and the remaining $250 will be refunded after the census date.

Post Census Refund Examples

When will I receive my remaining refund?

Your remaining financial aid refund will be processed after the census date(s) of your class(es), if you are attending class. If you have classes with different census dates, you will be refunded based on those dates; therefore, you may have multiple partial refunds.

What happens if my anticipated aid is reduced after I've already used my bookstore available credit balance?

You are responsible for all charges incurred at the bookstore. Unpaid balances will result in registration holds and may be sent to collections if not paid in a timely manner.

Reduced Aid Examples

Can I get a detailed printout of my bookstore charges?

While your charges will be available on MyTCCTrack, if you need an itemized receipt, you will need to contact any TCC Campus Bookstore.

How will this affect my 1098T?

Bookstore charges will not be included on your 1098T. There will not be any changes to how your financial aid award is reported.

My bookstore charges look wrong. Who should I contact?

If you believe your bookstore charges were added incorrectly, please contact Business Services at 817-515-4729.

What if I return my bookstore purchase within the bookstore's full refund period?

Your student account will be credited with any refundable amount in accordance with the bookstore's refund policy. It may take 24-48 hours for these changes to be made. If this creates a credit on your account, it will then follow the normal refund schedule.