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Disbursement of Funds

How are financial aid funds disbursed?

Once the student has accepted the award and returned any required paperwork, CSULB begins preparing financial aid funds for disbursement. All funds in excess of any University charges, such as registration fees or housing charges, are refunded to the student by Electronic Funds transfer or check. Checks are sent to the student by mail.

The method and time of disbursement varies depending on the type of financial aid funds awarded:

Grants

Grant funds are credited directly to a student's University account. If excess funds remain after deducting any outstanding University charges, a refund will be automatically issued and transferred electronically or mailed to the student.

Federal Perkins Loan

After submitting a signed promissory note and attending the entrance interview session (if required), the Perkins Loan funds will be credited automatically to the student's University account. If excess funds remain after deducting any outstanding University charges, a refund will be issued automatically to the student. Perkins funds are disbursed during the 2nd Disbursement Period of each semester (see the Schedule of Classes for disbursement dates for each semester.)

Federal Stafford Loans

If the student has authorized Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) and the student's lender participates in EFT, then CSULB will credit the funds directly to the student's University account. If excess funds remain after deducting any outstanding University charges, a refund will be issued and transferred electronically or mailed to the student.

If the student has not authorized EFT or if the student's lender does not participate in EFT, then the student must settle any University charges before a check can be released.

Federal Work-Study Awards

Students in approved work-study positions are paid monthly for hours worked. The student must submit a time sheet to the employer by the 23rd of each month so that the student can receive a check on the 15th of the following month. Students should discuss specific payroll procedures with their employer.

Scholarships

Students who receive scholarships from their high school or community groups should have their funds sent directly to

Bursar's Office
CSU Long Beach, Brotman Hall 155
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840

CSULB will then disburse the funds directly to the student based on the donor's instructions. All outstanding University charges must be settled before the funds can be released.

Please notify the Financial Aid Office of any scholarships you are receiving. We must include this funding with your other financial aid award(s). If necessary, we may adjust other awards.

Some scholarships are administered through the CSULB Foundation, and award checks are disbursed directly from the Foundation Office. Check with the awarding department to determine if the award will be disbursed through the Foundation. If so, the student can contact the Foundation Office at (562) 985-5537 for specific information. It is the student's responsibility to settle any outstanding University charges with the Bursar's Office before the Foundation can disburse any funds.

When are funds received?

In general, funds are disbursed at the start of each semester. It is important that the student completes all paperwork and returns any requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid prior to the start of the semester to ensure that funds will be available.

You can have your financial aid refund deposited by Electronic Funds transfer (eRefund) to your bank account. Save time with no more trips to the bank or waiting for your check in the mail.

To sign up for this convenient and secure service; go to MyCSULB, click on "Finances and Aid" and then the "Request eRefund Direct Deposit" link. If you need additional assistance check out the Sign up for eRefund guide.

Stafford Loan funds received from the student's lender prior to the beginning of each semester are included in the student's first disbursement. Although Stafford Loans normally take 4 to 6 weeks to process, those processed after the beginning of each semester will be disbursed within 4 working days after CSULB receives the funds from the student's lender.

For students whose financial aid is processed after the start of the semester, funds will not be disbursed until you have accepted your aid awards online at MyCSULB or submitted a signed award letter to the Financial Aid Office. It normally takes 2 to 4 weeks to generate an Electronic Funds transfer or check.

What delays disbursement of funds?

The following are reasons why the student's funds may not be available on the first day of classes:

  • A late application submitted after the March 2 deadline.

  • Missing documents; call (562) 985-2500 for information on what's missing.

  • Not promptly accepting the financial aid award.

  • Not signing or returning your Stafford or Perkins promissory note.

  • Not attending a Stafford or Perkins Loan entrance interview session.

  • Not meeting the minimum requirement for enrollment: 5 units (500 or 600 level) for Master's students, 6 units for all other students.

  • Unresolved University charges; for more information contact the Bursar's Office in Brotman Hall, First Floor, windows 8-10.

  • Being in default on a student loan or owing a repayment to any Title IV financial aid program.

Who can answer further questions about disbursement?

For specific disbursement questions visit the Disbursements Office, which is part of the Bursar's Office, located in Brotman Hall, First Floor, Windows 11 and 12, or call the office at (562) 985-4167.