Disbursement of Financial Aid
Aid awarded for the fall or spring semesters is generally disbursed during the first week of classes in each semester. There are two main exceptions to this. The first involves the disbursement of Stafford Loan funds to students who have earned less than 30 credits and who are borrowing their first Stafford Loan. Disbursement of Stafford funds is delayed for 30 days from the first day of classes for those students. The second involves students who have been awarded a Stafford Loan or PLUS loan for one semester only. If the loan period is either August through December or January through May, you will receive half of your loan funds at the beginning of the semester and the remainder at the mid-point of the semester. These students should be aware that if they are expecting a refund, they probably won’t receive it until the middle of the semester.

There are situations that will delay the disbursement of your aid. These include:

• There is an enrollment level discrepancy between your awards and your current enrollment. Example: Your current awards are based on full-time enrollment but your current enrollment is less than full-time. Disbursement will be delayed until you add the necessary number of credits to equal the level reflected by your cost of attendance OR until you contact the Office of Financial Aid to indicate that you will be enrolled less than full-time.

To check on MAX:

Log in using your MAX ID and password.

• Select "Student Services and Financial Aid"
• Select "Financial Aid"
• Select "My Overall Status of Financial Aid"
• Select "Cost of Attendance"
  The statement at the top of the screen should indicate the level of enrollment expected for your awards. If this is unclear, go back to your "Overall Status" and look for "Active Messages."
AND
• Select "Student Services and Financial Aid"
• Select "Registration"
• Select "Student Schedule Details"
  Your total credit hours (current enrollment) should appear at the top of this screen.
  
  

• You have unsatisfied document requirements such as Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling or incomplete Verification.
  
  To check on MAX:
  
  Log in using your MAX ID and password.
• Select "Student Services and Financial Aid"
• Select "Financial Aid"
• Select "My Eligibility"
• Select "Document Requirements/Holds"

• You did not complete a promissory note for your loan (or signed it late).
  
  To view your loan application status on MAX:

  Log in using your MAX ID and password.

  • Select "Student Services and Financial Aid"
  • Select "Financial Aid"
  • Select "My Award Information"
  • Select "Loan Application History"

The most recent loans are shown first. Refer to the School Status column. If the status is:

• "Approved" - the Office of Financial Aid has been notified that the promissory note and any supporting documentation has been received by the lender/guarantor and the loan is approved and ready for disbursement.
  
• "Recommended" - the Office of Financial Aid has not yet been notified of loan approval.
  
• "Canceled" - that particular loan application has been canceled.