Accepting & Receiving My Awards

Financial Aid can be confusing. That’s why our staff is here to assist you throughout the entire process. To better understand your award, you may want to stop by the Financial Aid office located on the first floor of the Confluence Building. We have provided information here to assist you, but if this legal language is confusing, don’t hesitate to ask for our help!

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The information provided on the FAFSA determines your EFC and represents what you or your family should expect to contribute towards the cost of your education. Your EFC does not represent actual out-of-pocket expenses but all financial aid is based on this number, including the determination of financial “need.” While you are not expected to pay the EFC amount directly to the school, your EFC indicates if you or your family may be able to assist in your living expenses while attending school. This number is used to determine what types of financial aid you may receive (need-based aid like grants that you do not need to repay or non-need-based aid like unsubsidized loans that accrue interest while you are enrolled). Your EFC is provided on your Student Aid Report (SAR) after you've completed the FAFSA.

Plan Ahead Now

Financial aid refunds become available after the last day to drop a full-semester class (Census Date). If you are in Good Standing with regard to financial aid and have a complete financial aid file with pending aid two (2) weeks before classes begin, you may automatically qualify for a book advance the week before classes begin.

Don't Forget

  • You are responsible for repaying any award made in error. If you make a change to the FAFSA that impacts your eligibility, you must submit any requested documentation immediately and you may be required to repay a portion or all of the financial aid that was initially paid into your account.
  • If you pass a class and then retake it, financial aid cannot pay for that if you enroll in it a third time. The third time you take a class that you have already passed, it will not be included in your enrollment for financial aid purposes and your award amounts may be reduced. This federal policy also applies if you fail the class on your second attempt.

If your paid financial aid is greater than the amount you owe for your classes, you will qualify to receive a credit balance (refund), released to you through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Refunds are released after the last day to drop classes (Census Date) each semester. CCD's book advance program automatically provides qualifying students with up to $500 for books up to one week before classes start. 

For questions about your refund options, contact CCD's business office. Students' refund preferences are managed by BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. View CCD's third-party servicer contract for refund management here. Find more information about your refund choices here.