Receive My Aid

The below information will hopefully provide you with a solid understanding of the process and timing for disbursing aid to your student account. Of course, if you ever have any questions about your financial aid, please contact our office.

Expand FAQ List

Census and Enrollment Status
- What is census?
  
  Census is the date on which the university’s enrollment is finalized for a semester. It is the 12th class day of each fall and spring semester and the 4th class day in July for the summer semester. All hours and majors are considered frozen on this date for financial aid purposes.
- How does the census date affect my aid amount(s)?
  For financial aid purposes, your aid eligibility is based on the courses that count toward your degree. The courses considered to be counting toward your degree are based on both:
  Your enrollment as of the semester census date
  Your major, minor and concentration (as defined in your curriculum record) as of the semester census date
  If on the census date your enrollment status (e.g. full-time, half-time, etc.) is lower than what you previously indicated to our office, your financial aid cost of attendance will be reduced and prorated based on your actual enrollment. Such a reduction may result in your becoming ineligible for financial aid that you have already received. As a result, you will be required, as set forth by federal regulations, to repay the aid for which you are no longer eligible.
  Repayment of funds may happen after you have received your financial aid disbursement. Please be aware that if you have already received a refund, you may be responsible for using that refund to pay any university charges on your account.
  So be sure your enrollment is correct by the census date. Also, make sure your major, minor and concentration are correct well before the semester census date.
- How does enrollment status affect my aid amount(s)?
  
  Your enrollment status (i.e., full-time, half-time, etc.) for financial aid purposes is determined by the number of hours in which you enroll and that count toward your degree during a semester. To determine the enrolled hours that equate to a particular enrollment status, visit the University Registrar’s Office (see the chart at the bottom of the page). Please note that post-baccalaureate teacher certificate students adhere to undergraduate enrollment status determinations.
Disbursement of Aid
- When will my financial aid disburse?
  
  To receive your financial aid, you must meet all eligibility requirements as listed on Eligibility to Apply and complete all the requirements specified on the Financial Aid tab of Texas State Self-Service. If these requirements are met and your aid is ready for disbursement, it will be moved to your student account with Student Business Services no earlier than ten calendar days prior to the start of classes. Any aid available after that point will be moved to your student account within 24 hours of it being ready for disbursement.
- When will my Summer financial aid disburse?
  
  For information about the disbursement of your Summer financial aid, please visit our Summer Financial Aid page.
- When will my aid for Education Abroad disburse?
  
  Aid will not disburse until ten days prior to the start of your program. To receive your refund faster, make sure to sign up for E-refunds through Student Business Services.
- What if I forget to withdraw from the university?
  
  If you intended to but did not withdraw, you will be considered enrolled. As a result, you will be responsible for the repayment of all or a portion of your financial aid due to such issues as your withdrawing from the university once classes have begun, failing to earn at least one passing grade during a semester, etc.
- Completing Registration Payment
  
  For questions about completing your registration payment, please visit our payment site.
- Non-EFT Alternative Loans
  
  If your lender does not use EFT (electronic funds transfer), you will have to pick up your paper loan check at Student Business Services (student ID required) within 21 days of it first being available. We are not—under federal regulations—allowed to release your funds until ten days prior to the start of classes.