Disbursement Process
All financial aid funds are disbursed on scheduled dates each term. The enrollment status of students for financial aid offers and disbursement purposes is finalized at the census date of the semester, noted on the college’s academic calendar. The census date also serves as the college’s Pell Recalculation Date (PRD). At that time, the actual amount of federal and state grants is determined per student. Courses added on or after census date are not counted for financial aid eligibility. The census date applies to all couses regardless of when the course begins or ends.
If 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. 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 registered course begins and attending at least 6 units of coursework required for the Program of Study.
- Effective Fall 2026, federal regulations require schools to prorate Federal direct Loans amounts based on a student's Course in Program of Study
- Cal Grant funds and Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) funds are one disbursement after census.
All disbursed financial aid such as grants, federal student loans and scholarships will be first applied towards current institutional fees. These are fees owed to Cañada College, such as enrollment fees, health fees and non-resident tuition. Once all institutional fees are paid, the remaining eligible balance will be disbursed to the student.
Fund |
Fall 2026 |
Spring 2027 |
Summer 2027
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships | August 13, 2026 | January 14, 2027 | |
| Pell Grant, SEOG | August 13, 2026 September 10, 2026 |
January 14, 2027 February 11, 2027 |
June 03, 2027 |
| Cal Grant, SSCG | September 10, 2026 | February 11, 2027 | |
| Direct Loans* – Full Year Loan Period | August 13, 2026 | January 14, 2027 | June 03, 2027 |
| Direct Loan* - One Semester Loan Period | Fall Only Loan: August 13, 2026 October 22, 2026 |
Spring Only Loan: January 14, 2027 March 25, 2027 |
Summer Only Loan: June 03, 2027 July 08, 2027 |
- Fall 2026 Census: September 08, 2026
- Spring 2027 Census: February 08, 2027
- Summer 2027 Census: June 15, 2027
Refund dates differ from our disbursement dates listed above. Refunds are generated on a weekly basis by the district.
The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.
If eligible for a refund from the Financial Aid Office, you have a few options in how you receive the refund:
- Direct Deposit (strongly recommend)
- Opening a BankMobile Vibe checking account
- Paper Check
Get started with the refund selection option by following the instructions below.
- Go to the BankMobile Refund Selection website.
- Follow the instructions to begin the refund selection process.
- You will be required to confirm or provide a mobile phone number that can receive text messages.
- A One-Time Passcode (OTP) will be sent to your mobile phone as part of the verification process.
- Make sure your mobile phone number and mailing address are current in WebSMART.
Please Note: If prompted to enter your school’s name, use San Mateo County Community College District. We are enrolled with BMTX, Inc. as a college district, not as three separate colleges.
Enrollment intensity is a percentage that represents how many units you are taking compared to a full-time course load. Your Pell Grant offer will be calculated based on this enrollment intensity percentage, rather than the old enrollment level categories. This enrollment intensity system provides a more flexible and accurate way to calculate your Pell Grant, tailoring the award amount to your actual enrollment level rather than fitting into broad categories. Please keep in mind, the chart below is only for the Federal Pell Grant, other aid, such as Cal Grant, will still use the old system of Enrollment Level (Full-time, 3/4 Time, 1/2 Time, etc.).
| Units Enrolled | Enrollment Level (OLD) |
Enrollment Level (NEW) - % of Pell |
|---|---|---|
| 12 or more | Full Time | 100% |
| 11 | 3/4 Time | 92% |
| 10 | 3/4 Time | 83% |
| 9 | 3/4 Time | 75% |
| 8 | 1/2 Time | 67% |
| 7 | 1/2 Time | 58% |
| 6 | 1/2 Time | 50% |
| 5 | Less than 1/2 Time | 42% |
| 4 | Less than 1/2 Time | 33% |
| 3 | Less than 1/2 Time | 25% |
| 2 | Less than 1/2 Time | 17% |
| 1 | Less than 1/2 Time | 8% |
Courses in Program of Study (CPOS) is a federal regulation that requires federal financial aid to only pay for courses that apply toward a student’s officially declared degree, certificate, or transfer program. Beginning in Fall 2026, the SMCCCD Financial Aid Offices will review all courses students are enrolled in each term to determine whether they align with the student’s declared Program of Study (POS). Financial aid eligible units and financial aid awards may be adjusted based on this review.
Course eligibility for financial aid purposes is determined based on federal Title IV regulations, officially approved curriculum, and published program requirements. Enrollment in a course does not guarantee financial aid eligibility for that course.
For more information, please visit our District CPOS website.