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Disbursement

Students, even financial aid recipients, will receive bills from the Office of Student Accounts.  If you have been awarded financial aid, and you have returned your signed award letter, your anticipated financial aid will appear on your bill.

Financial aid is used as a credit towards tuition, except for Federal Work Study and Alternative Loans.  Unpaid balances, however, should be paid by the tuition due date to avoid late fees or cancelled classes.

Loans for returning students who have returned their award letters and completed all necessary paperwork are received the first week of classes and are applied to outstanding tuition, fees, and room and board.  For first-time freshmen, loan funds cannot be received by the University until 30 days after the start of classes, when funds are received and applied to any outstanding charges.  PLUS loan funds for new or continuing students are received the first week of classes.

Students who have requested a loan for only one semester-- such as seniors graduating in December-- have special disbursement information.  All loans are required to be disbursed in two equal installments.  As a result, students who receive a loan for one semester will receive half of the funds at the beginning of the semester, and half the of the funds in the midpoint of the semester (October or March).  This is a federal regulation that CNU cannot change.  Students in this situation should be careful to plan accordingly.

Grant funds are not released until enrollment has been confirmed.  Once the add/drop period has ended, usually the last day of the first week of classes, our office confirms that each student has enrolled in the appropriate number of hours.  We adjust awards accordingly for students who are more or less hours than initially reported.  Once this process is complete, we must request that the Federal and State Education departments release funds to us.  In turn, we apply the funds to the appropriate student account.  This process is usually completed during the second or third weeks of classes.

As funds are applied to student accounts, refunds are automatically calculated for students who have received loans or grants in excess of tuition and fees.  The Office of Student Accounts prepares the refund check.  Students who requested that the funds be directly deposited will receive the deposit in the appropriate account.  Other students will receive their check at their local address, if one is available, or at their permanent address.

Please note that refunds are not available until after the first week of classes.  Therefore, you and your parents should consider making alternate arrangements for purchasing books and necessary supplies.