Financial Aid Disbursement

Disbursement is the process of applying your accepted financial aid awards to your current university charges. This typically occurs all at once at the start of each term.

Fall 2026 disbursement starts on August 19!

Disbursement Process

If you have no outstanding financial aid requirements or items on your To-Do List, your financial aid is typically scheduled for disbursement on the Wednesday before the first day of the term.

Your financial aid will first be applied to your tuition and fees. Any remaining funds may be used to pay other eligible university charges, such as housing. If funds remain after all eligible charges have been paid, the balance will be issued to you as a refund.

Disbursement dates may vary depending on your eligibility, enrollment, and completion of all required financial aid steps.

What to Know About Your Disbursement

• Financial aid is typically split evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Aid must be used for the term it was awarded and cannot be transferred to a different semester.
• Disbursements are processed weekly (typically on Wednesdays) once all requirements are met.
• Some types of aid may be delayed until after the census date if your enrollment changes.

For full details about how financial aid is awarded, adjusted, and disbursed, please review the Financial Aid Policies page.

Fall Disbursement Dates

• Wednesday, August 19, 2026: First scheduled fall disbursement 
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026: Last scheduled fall disbursement

If you do not receive your financial aid during the first disbursement, it may be included in a later weekly disbursement. Financial aid is processed each Wednesday for students who have completed all required steps and have no outstanding items in their To-Do List or Notifications in SFSU Gateway.

Payment Deadlines

Fall Tuition Payment Deadline

• Monday, September 21, 2026: Fall tuition payment deadline

Students with accepted financial aid awards on file will not be disenrolled for nonpayment after the tuition deadline. However, any remaining balance after the deadline may be subject to a one-time $20 late fee assessed by the Bursar’s Office.

View Tuition and Fees

For questions about tuition charges, billing, or payment plans, contact the Bursar’s Office.

On-Campus Housing Payments

On-campus housing fees are billed monthly and cannot be deferred. Please review the housing payment schedule for specific due dates.

Accepted financial aid, including loans, may be used to help cover eligible housing charges after tuition and fees have been paid. Financial aid is typically disbursed on Wednesdays, provided you have completed all required financial aid steps and have no outstanding items on your account.

If you or your parents plan to pay housing costs out of pocket, contact the Housing Office directly for information about payment options and deadlines.

Contact the Student Housing Office