Disbursement of Aid

When will I receive my financial aid?

Financial aid is paid (disbursed) to your account no sooner than 10 days prior to the beginning of the semester(with the exception of Federal Work Study) as long as you have done all of the following:

Completed and returned all requests for additional information and received an award notification.
Enrolled in the number of credit hours that your financial aid award is based on. Refer to your award notification letter to determine how many credit hours your award is based on.
If receiving a student loan, students must complete the electronic master promissory note and the online entrance counseling.

First time, first year student borrowers will not receive their first loan disbursement until 30 days after the first day of class.

How will I receive my financial aid?

All financial aid is awarded for an academic year (unless otherwise specified), one-half of the award being available each semester. Grants, scholarships, and loans administered by the CGCC Financial Aid Office are automatically applied toward the payment of tuition and fees at CGCC only. We are unable to apply these funds at any other institution, including any other Maricopa Community Colleges. If the amount of aid a student has been awarded is in excess of their tuition and fees, the remaining balance will be refunded to the student. These refunds or financial aid checks, are mailed directly to the student at the address on file with the CGCC Admissions and Records Office. It is CGCC policy that the checks are mailed. If a check has not been received within five days after the date it was mailed, you must contact the CGCC Fiscal Office. It is extremely important that students maintain a current address with the CGCC Admissions and Records Office.

Federal Work Study is employment and as a result, the funds for this type of award are disbursed as the student works and earns the funds through their Federal Work Study (FWS) job. FWS students are paid every two weeks until their entire award has been disbursed.

PLEASE NOTE: Financial aid awards may be delayed for students taking courses that have different start dates.

Withdrawal and Return of Funds