How to Receive Your Financial Aid Disbursement

  • All Financial Aid Grant funds will be disbursed electronically to the selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.
  • If you haven't already, be sure to select your refund preference with BankMobile. You can learn more at BankMobile Disbursements Refund Choices and Third-Party Servicer Contract for Refund Management
  • For those students who did not select an electronic deposit option, a check will be mailed to the address on file with the school. If your address changes, it is your responsibility to update the Admissions and Records Office immediately to avoid delays.
  • Disbursements will be made to eligible students according to our Disbursement Schedule

Award Specific Disbursement Information

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.

The Cal Grant is for undergraduate students who have not yet completed a baccalaureate or professional degree. In order to qualify for Cal Grant, students must:

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.

Financial Aid Disbursement Schedule

This disbursement schedule is tentative and is subject to change without notice.  Disbursement is contingent upon the total number of actively enrolled units. The dates below are subject to change depending on when BMTX, Inc. receives funds from your school. For more information, visit BankMobile Disbursements Refund Choices and Third-Party Servicer Contract for Refund Management.

Summer 2025 Disbursement Schedule

Enrollment Dates: 05/27/25 - 07/31/25

Files completed by:

Funds Available to students by:

Award Type

Thursday, June 5 Thursday, June 19 100% Disbursement Eligibility
Thursday, July 10 Thursday, July 24 100% Disbursement Eligibility, increased units

Fall 2025 Disbursement Schedule

Enrollment Dates: 08/25/25 - 12/19/25

Files completed by:

Funds Available to students by:

Award Type

 Friday, August 15  Friday, August 29  1st Disbursement: First 1/2 of Pell Disbursement
 Friday, August 22  Friday, September 5  1st 1/2 of Pell Disbursement, increased units
Friday, September 5  Friday, September 19  1st 1/2 of Pell Disbursement, increased units
 Friday, September 19  Friday, October 3  1st 1/2 of Pell Disbursement, increased units
 Friday, October 3  Friday, October 17  1st 1/2 of Pell Disbursement, increased units
 Friday, October 17  Friday, November 14  1st and 2nd Disbursement: 1st Pell Disbursement and Second 1/2 of Pell Disbursement, Cal Grant, SSCG, FSEOG
 Friday, November 14  Friday, December 12  100% of Pell Disbursement, Cal Grant
 Friday, December 5 Friday, December 19  100% of Pell Disbursement, Cal Grant

Direct Loan Disbursment Dates

Term

Loan Application Due Date

Disbursement Date

Fall 2025

September 5, 2025
October 3, 2025
September 26, 2025
October 24, 2025

Spring 2026

February 20, 2026
March 20, 2026
March 13, 2026
April 10, 2026

Disbursement Conditions

At San Bernardino Valley College, the Federal Pell Grant award will be divided into two payments each semester. The first disbursement may be issued during the first week of the semester. Disbursements will only be made to those students who have a completed financial aid file and have been determined eligible for federal financial aid based on federal and state regulations. All students are required to meet all criteria outlined in the San Bernardino Valley College Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. All awards are contingent on both a student’s enrollment and their satisfactory academic progress status. Please note, due to the short time period between semesters, there may be a delay in the notification of ineligibility due to not meeting satisfactory academic progress.

All financial aid funds are subject to availability from the appropriate agencies and the regulations which govern these programs. Any financial aid awarded is subject to change, without prior notice. Disbursements are based on the number of units a student is enrolled in at the time of calculation (calculations are made approximately 10 days before disbursement). Although you may be registered in a course, you must be in attendance and your classes must have already started before payment is made. Late start classes must begin for units to be included in disbursement; otherwise they will be included on the subsequent disbursement. Disbursement will be adjusted according to enrollment status at the time calculation is made.

For students whose financial aid files are not complete at the beginning of the semester or were awarded later in the award year, payments will be issued on subsequent disbursement dates. You can expect your file to be updated 6 - 8 weeks from the date you submitted all required documents to the Financial Aid Office. All financial aid disbursements are made, electronically, through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. You may visit www.valleycollege.edu/financialaid for more details on selecting a refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements.

*All financial aid disbursements are contingent on funding being received from the governing agencies. Cal Grant disbursements are contingent upon funding from the State and in some cases may be delayed. FSEOG and Cal Grant funds will be released in one payment per semester.

Students will owe money back to the Federal Government and/or San Bernardino Valley College if:

  • Student receives Federal and State aid from more than one school for the same or overlapping semester. (This does not affect eligibility for a CA College Promise Grant Waiver at multiple schools within the same semester).
  • Student received funds and withdraws from all classes prior to completing 60% of the semester.
  • Student reduces enrollment status.

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.

Pell 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 a student has received 600% of the Federal Pell Grant, they will no longer be eligible for additional Pell Grant at any college/university in the country, regardless of completion of their selected program of study or Bachelor’s Degree.

*Email notifications will be sent to your school provided email address. Be sure to keep your home address and phone number current and accurate with Admissions and Records.

Direct Loan Limits

The maximum amount you can borrow in Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans depends on your dependency status and whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. For undergraduate students, the maximum is $57,500, with no more than $23,000 being subsidized.The maximum loan amount may be further limited by your school's cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid you receive (like grants and scholarships).  There are also annual limits that restrict how much you can borrow each academic year.  Please refer to the Direct Loan page for more information about yearly loan limits.