Disbursements (Receiving Your Aid)

Pell Grant disbursements are typically split into two (2) disbursements per semester or four (4) disbursements for the academic year.

Disbursement amounts are based upon each student's enrollment status and prorated accordingly.

1. The first disbursement is released for Fall students during the first week of instruction
2. The second disbursement is released for Fall students in November 2024. 
3. The third disbursement is released for Spring students in January 2025.
4. The fourth disbursement is released for Spring students in April 2025. 

*For students who did not attend full time in both the Fall and Spring semesters, Pell may be available during the Summer semester. Disbursement for the Summer semester are made in Mid-July.

*Please note: Some students must be in a certain minimum amount of units in order to receive any funding based on their eligibility. The percentage breakdown above is an example, and in some cases students may have specific Pell entitlement that is not included in the description above.

Enrollment Status
Awards appear on an award letter based on full-time enrollment status; however, students are not necessarily required to enroll in full-time status to receive financial aid. If a student is enrolled in less than full-time status for any given semester, disbursements will be adjusted in accordance with federal regulations based on the current enrollment status.

• 12 or more units = Full-time enrollment status; student receives 100% of award per semester
• 9.0-11.5 units = ¾ time enrollment status; student receives 75% of award per semester
• 6.0-8.5 units = ½ time enrollment status; students receives 50% of award per semester
• 5.5 units or less = less-than-half-time enrollment status; not all students are eligible at less-than-half-time enrollment status.

Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU):  Students receiving the Federal Pell grant are limited to six years (12 semesters) or full time equivalent (600%) of aid. Once you have received 600% of Pell grant, you will no longer be eligible for additional Pell Grants at San Bernardino Valley College or any college/university in the country, regardless of completion of program of study or Bachelors.

If a student drops all of his/her courses in any given semester, they may be responsible for repaying a portion of their disbursement, in accordance with federal regulations.

• Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application
• Meet basic student eligibility criteria
• Be considered a California resident or meet certain exceptions like AB540. 
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• Complete all pending financial aid requirements (if applicable)
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Must be enrolled in at least 6 units. 

Cal Grants are state grants that you do not have to pay back. They can be used at any UC, CSU, or California Community College and at many career and technical colleges in the state.

The California Student Aid Commissions (CSAC) will determine which grant(s) you qualify for after you apply. To learn more about the qualifications and different Cal Grants, visit the CSAC website. Students may access their Cal Grant information online anytime at WebGrants4Students. For more information on Cal Grant qualifications, how to apply, GPA verification and more visit, Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions. 

California Community College students who fail to meet the CSAC priority application deadline might still qualify for Cal Grant funding through the September 2nd application deadline. 

A Cal Grant award is generally based on full-time enrollment (12+ units). If you are enrolled in less than 12 units for the term (fall or spring), your award will be adjusted accordingly. In order to receive any Cal Grant payment, you are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units or more. 

It is important to note that Cal Grant payments received after the term (fall or spring) has already ended will be based on completed units ONLY. Incomplete grades of W, EW, IA, IB, IC, IF, NP or IP will not be counted for Cal Grant payments for that term.

Students who completely withdraw from a term for which a Cal Grant payment was received will be subject to the state mandated return of any Unearned Cal Grant funds. 

This means you may be required to return partial or all of your Cal Grant funds for the term. It is important that you consult with the Financial Aid Office for details on this state guideline and how partial or complete withdrawal impacts your financial aid eligibility.

The Cal Grants are offered by the state of California, for California resident students, and determined by the California Student Aid Commission (www.csac.ca.gov). There are two types of Cal Grants available at SBVC:

• Cal Grant B: This grant provides a living allowance for very low-income students. Cal Grant B awards at SBVC are currently $1,648 per school year for full-time students. The Cal Grant B is renewable for up to four years of full-time enrollment. Selection for the Cal Grant B is based upon having a minimum 2.00 grade point average and a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents' educational level, single-parent household status and time out of high school. In order to apply for the Cal Grant, both a FAFSA or California Dream Act application and a GPA Verification form are required. SBVC automatically reports grade point average information for students who have completed at least 16.0 degree applicable units with a 2.00 or greater. The Cal Grant deadline for community college students is March 2 or September 2 of each academic year.
• Cal Grant C: Cal Grant C awards assist students in occupational or vocational programs with school expenses related to the program of study. The full-time, full-year Cal Grant C award is $1094. Funding is available for up to two years of full-time study in a vocational program. Verification of enrollment in a vocational program will be required to receive funds. To apply, file a FAFSA or California Dream Act application indicating the intent to pursue a vocational program of study and complete the Cal Grant C Supplement application that will be sent directly from the California Student Aid Commission. The Cal Grant deadline for community college students is March 2 or September 2 of each academic year.
• Students With Dependents (SWD): Students with dependent children who are under 18 years of age by July 1st of the award year and for whom the student will provide more than half of their support between July 1st and June 30th of the award year may be eligible for the following:

Cal Grant Access awards up to $6,000 & $6,024 for qualifying Cal Grant A and B recipients and up to $4,000 for eligible Cal Grant C recipients.

FSEOG will be paid in one payment each semester.

*FSEOG eligibility is contingent upon funding.

• The first Fall disbursement for eligible FSEOG students is released in November 2024.
• Cal Grants (B & C) - Cal Grant B and C awards are generally disbursed in one payment per semester.
• *All Cal Grant disbursements are contingent upon funding from the state of California. The below dates are tentative: The Fall disbursement for eligible Cal
• Grant students is released as early as September 2024.
• The Spring disbursement for eligible Cal Grant students is released as early as February 2025.
• In cases of late award notification; the award will be disbursed on the next available disbursement date.
• *Cal Grant recipients are selected by CSAC. Students will receive an email notification once eligibility has been confirmed and awards have been determined.

The Student Success Completion Grant pays Cal Grant recipients enrolled in at least 12 but fewer than 15 semester units $1298 per semester. Cal Grant recipients enrolled in 15 or more semester units may receive $4,000 per semester.

The maximum annual award for the Student Success Completion Grant is $8000.00.  Due to limited funding, the Student Success Completion Grant is refunded on a first come first serve basis.  Receiving a SSCG award does not guarantee a refund.  Funds are limited!

Federal Work-Study funds must be earned through work and students must be enrolled in at least 6 units each semester. Students are responsible to ensure that their time sheets are sent by the supervisor to the Financial Aid Office monthly.

Checks are mailed by the 12th of each month provided the time sheet was submitted on time.

The Chafee Grant  Disbursement schedule is set by the Chancellor's Office.

Please visit Chafee website for further information www.chafee.csac.ca.gov 

Direct loans are student loans provided directly by the U.S. Department of Education. These loans are a type of federal student aid. San Bernardino Valley College offers the Direct Loan program, which includes Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized loans. They are distinct from private loans offered by banks or other lenders.  

Federal Direct Student Loans are long-term financial obligations offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Borrowing a loan means you are responsible for repaying the amount borrowed—plus interest and fees. You are required to begin repayment:

• When you graduate,
• When you drop below half-time (fewer than 6 units),
• When you withdraw from all classes.

Borrower Requirements

All Direct Loan borrowers must:

1. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov,
2. Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) agreeing to the loan terms at studentaid.gov,
3. Complete Exit Counseling if you withdraw, drop below half-time, or graduate: Exit Counseling Guide.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Complete a FAFSA,
• Receive a Financial Aid Award Notification confirming your file is complete,
• Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program,
• Be registered in at least 6 units,
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP),
• Not be in default on prior loans or owe a federal grant overpayment.