Financial Aid Disbursements
To receive financial aid funds, a student must be registered, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, and attending classes.
When financial aid is applied to a student's account, it will be applied to the student's current term charges and any excess will be refunded to the student through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc..
A student's financial aid award package is initially prepared based on anticipated full-time enrollment. Suffolk County Community College will pay a student's financial aid funds based on their enrollment status as of the census date listed below for each semester. The census date is when a student's enrolled credit hours are frozen for financial aid purposes. The census date is the day following the end of the add/drop period for 15-week courses. The census date does not apply to student loans. Students receiving New York State aid programs that require full-time enrollment, must be registered for 12+ degree applicable credits by the term census date.
To ensure students receive the maximum financial aid award they are eligible for, students are strongly encouraged to finalize their course schedule before the census date.
2023 - 2024 Census Dates:
Fall 2023: September 20, 2023
Spring 2024: February 2, 2024
Summer 2024: TBD
Federal Aid Programs
Pell Grants
The amount of Pell Grant a student receives is based on their enrollment status as of the census date. If a student's credit load increases or decreases (drops courses) prior to the census date, Pell Grant funds may be adjusted to match the enrollment load frozen on the census date. Students who do not begin attendance in a course(s), will have their Pell Grant adjusted accordingly. If a student's Pell Grant is reduced and creates a balance due to the College, the student will be responsible for payment. Credit hours added after the census date cannot increase Pell eligibility.
Students who initially enroll after the semester census date will have their enrollment frozen on the day of registration. Therefore, students should register for all courses at the same time. Late start students cannot add classes after their initial registration to increase their Pell eligibility.
Pell Grant disbursement begins during the 6th week of the semester. Funds will be paid out throughout the semester based on students attending classes. Students who do not begin attendance in their scheduled coursework will have their Pell Grants reduced accordingly.
Federal Direct Loans
Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loan disbursements begin the first week of the term and continue on a weekly basis throughout the term. If a student has pending grant aid at the time of loan disbursement, any excess loan proceeds will be issued to the student.
Loans do not disburse until the student has begun attendance in at least six credits. Direct Loans are paid out in two disbursements. Full-year loans are paid one-half in the fall and one-half in the spring. Single term loans, are paid in two disbursements over the course of the term.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) students are paid a bi-weekly paycheck based on hours worked. FWS funds are never applied directly to your student account.
New York State Aid Programs
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
NYS TAP awards are based on enrollment status as of the census date for the term. Students must be registered for at least 12 degree-applicable credits to qualify for full-time TAP awards and between 6-11 credits for part-time TAP awards. In addition, students must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course.
TAP award certification and disbursement will begin when the student has incurred 100% tuition liability in at least 12 credits.
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
APTS award disbursement begins after the census date. Students must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course.
Excelsior Scholarships and Part-Time Scholarships
Excelsior Scholarships and NYS Part-Time Scholarships are not disbursed until all final grades for the term are posted, as this is part of the eligibility requirement. Students must be enrolled in at least one 15-week course.
SCCC Scholarships
SCCC Scholarship disbursement begins after the census date.
