General Information
Viewing Awards
Students can view awards online by selecting the “View Awards” link on their Student Center page. Student's official Award Notifications are emailed to Palomar College addresses only. Students should check their email regularly.
Awards and Adjustments
Award & enrollment reports are reviewed 10 days prior to each disbursement date. Awards will be adjusted on enrollment at the time of the review for the initial disbursement of the semester. Note: A student’s “payable” enrollment status may vary from actual enrollment due to appeal conditions and other eligibility issues.
“Freeze” Dates – Summer 2025: June 24th - Fall 2025: September 7th – Spring 2026: February 8th - Summer 2026: TBA
The last day for all federal financial aid applicants who have been awarded to finalize class schedule activities for the semester. This applies to all registration, adds and drops for all types of classes: TV, on-line, semester length, short-term, late-start, accelerated, self-paced, etc. This freeze date determines each semester’s total award amount.
Summer Information
Summer is considered a trailer semester for Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grants, Loans, FSEOG etc). This means we will use your 2024/2026 FAFSA results to determine your eligibility for Summer 2026. Conversely, for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), we will need your 2026/2027 FAFSA or Dream Act application to determine your eligibility for CCPG in Summer 2025.
Late-Start Classes
Award disbursements for these courses may be delayed until actual enrollment status can be determined.
How Funds are Disbursed
Beginning March 2025, you will have the option for Direct Deposit for some forms of aid. Please see our Information page for more details. The schedule below will also indicate which aid can be Direct Deposited. If you do not sign up for Direct Deposit, the aid will be mailed as a check to the address we have on file.
Address Changes
Must be submitted at least 5 working days prior to the expected disbursement date.
Students Right and Responsibilities
Please see this important information regarding Students Rights and Responsibilities
The Federal Pell Grant award percentage (40% or 100%) disbursement occurs when the award eligibility has been determined. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be met prior to releasing any funds. Disbursement may be delayed if grades from the prior semester have not been posted and reviewed. Note: FW, EW, & W are not payable for retroactive Federal Pell Grant award. Federal Pell Grant Disbursements will be paid in increments of 40% & 60% (2 disbursements per semester, or see chart below). The date of your disbursement is determined by the completion of your Financial Aid file. You can read more about the Pell Grant Awarding process here.
$$ Direct Deposit is Available for Federal Pell Grant Disbursements
Fall 2025 Federal Pell
| 1st Disbursement - 40% of Federal Pell Award: | 2nd Disbursement - Remaining 60% (100% of total Federal Pell Award): |
|---|---|
| August 29 (F) | November 21 (F) |
| September 25 (TH) | November 21 (F) |
| October 10 (F) | November 21 (F) |
| October 24 (F) | November 21 (F) |
| N/A | November 21 (F) |
| N/A | December 12 (F) |
Disbursements are made on the next available cycle once all requirements are met. This includes the loan request form, eMPN, entrance, and exit loan counseling (as appropriate). Fall/Spring loans are disbursed once per semester (i.e., 50% of total loan amount) while single semester (Fall only or Spring only) requires two disbursements. Students must be enrolled in and maintain a minimum of 6 units each semester they are requesting a loan. Note: EW, MW, FW, W, NP, & I grades are not considered in the 6 units.
$$ Direct Deposit is Available for Direct Student Loan Disbursements
Fall 2025 Federal Loan
| Disbursement Date: |
|---|
| October 3 (F) |
| October 24 (F) |
| November 21 (F) |
| December 5 (F) |
Students must meet Student Aid Commission and Palomar College Financial Aid Office eligibility requirements prior to disbursement. The Cal Grant award is scheduled for one 100% disbursement per semester. Students must enroll at least ½-time (6 units). Awards are prorated for half-time (6 – 8.5 units) and ¾-time (9 – 11.5 units) enrollment. SSC Grant is for Cal Grant students who are enrolled full time (12 or more units). Funds are limited for SSCG. There are no Summer CalGrant awards.
$$ Direct Deposit is Available for CalGrant Disbursements. $$ At this time, SSCG is not eligible for Direct Deposit and a check will be mailed to you from Palomar College.
CalGrant Disbursement
Summer 2025 (there are no Summer CalGrant/SSCG awards, we only award Fall/Spring retroactive awards)
| CalGrant Disbursement Date: | |
|---|---|
| Fall/Spring Retro | June 13 (F) -or- |
| Fall/Spring Retro | July 25 (F) |
| Fall/Spring Retro | Aug 15 (F) |
| Fall/Spring Retro | Sept 19 (F) |
Fall 2025
| CalGrant Disbursement Date: |
|---|
| October 10 (F) -or- |
| October 17 (F) -or- |
| October 31 (F) -or- |
| December 5 (F) - or- |
| January 23 (F) (Fall 2025 Retro ONLY) |
$$ At this time, SSCG is not eligible for Direct Deposit and a check will be mailed to you from Palomar College.
SSCG Disbursement
Summer 2025
| SSCG Disbursement Date: | |
|---|---|
| Fall/Spring Retro | June 13 (F) -or- |
| Fall/Spring Retro | July 25 (F) |
| Fall/Spring Retro | Aug 15 (F) |
Fall 2025
| SSCG Disbursement Date: |
|---|
| October 10 (F) -or- |
| October 17 (F) -or- |
| October 31 (F) -or- |
| December 5 (F) |
| January 23 (F) (Fall 2025 Retro ONLY) |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is scheduled for one disbursement per semester. Students must maintain a minimum ½-time enrollment (6 units). Funds are limited – Note: EW, FW & W are not considered in the 6 units. There are no funds available during the Summer Semester.
$$ Direct Deposit is Available for FSEOG Disbursements
Fall 2025 FSEOG
| Disbursement Date: |
|---|
| October 3 (F) - or- |
| October 24 (F) |
| December 5 (F) |
Scholarships are disbursed weekly and contingent upon receipt of funds from the donor. Review the 2024-2025 Scholarship Disbursement process posted on the Palomar College Scholarship website.
$$ At this time, Scholarships are not eligible for Direct Deposit. A check will be mailed to you from Palomar College.
The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) waives enrollment fees only. Students can confirm award approval online through Palomar College MyPalomar account. CCPG is not awarded retroactively after the semester ends. Enrollment fees paid by the student are refunded after the refund deadline if a CCPG is approved during the semester.
FWS funds are earned through work. Supervisors must submit time sheets to the Financial Aid Office by the 16th of each month. Checks are mailed on the last business day of each month, provided the time sheet was submitted on time. Arrangements for Direct Deposit can be made through the Payroll Office. For more information please visit the Federal Work Study Website