Financial Aid Updates & Events

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Fall 2026 Financial Aid Disbursement Delay for Students Enrolled in Summer Classes

If you took Summer 2026 classes and are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant for Fall 2026, your first fall Pell Grant payment will be delayed.

Before we can send your Pell Grant, we must wait until your summer grades are official so we can review your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). This review is required to make sure you still qualify for financial aid.

Who is affected?

  • Students who took Summer 2026 classes and are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant for Fall 2026.

Who is not affected?

  • Students who did not take summer classes.
  • Students who only receive other types of financial aid, such as Cal Grants or student loans. These types of aid are scheduled to be paid later in the semester and are not affected by this delay.

Do I need to do anything?

No. Once your summer grades are official, we will complete your SAP review and determine your financial aid eligibility.

If you are still eligible after your SAP review, your Pell Grant is anticipated to be sent on the next scheduled disbursement date.

For more information:

Changes to Federal Student Loans Beginning Fall 2026 

Federal regulations are changing how student loan eligibility is calculated beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year.

Loan amounts will be based on the number of units you enroll in. In previous years, eligible students could receive the full annual loan amount while enrolled in as few as 6 units. Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, students enrolled in fewer than 12 units may qualify for a reduced loan amount based on their enrollment level. 

You must still be enrolled in at least 6 units to be eligible to request a federal student loan.

For additional information about these changes and how they may affect your eligibility, please visit our Federal Direct Loan webpage.

Upcoming Events

SAP Appeal Workshops

If you've been notified that you're not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and have been disqualified, you may be eligible to submit a SAP Appeal to continue to receive your aid this semester while you work on getting your overall academics to meet the requirements. 

Join one of our workshops for step-by-step support with your appeal! 

Workshop Dates

In-person Oceanside Campus Workshops

  • Aug. 14 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | OC14286
  • Aug. 18 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | OC14180
  • Aug. 27 |    4:30 pm - 6 pm     | OC14286
  • Sept. 15 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | OC14180

Find the SAP Appeal on your SURF Tasks list requirement. Learn how to start your appeal.

Other Updates

Available Applications

  • The 2026-2027 FAFSA & CADAA are now open!
  • The 2025-2026 FAFSA & CADAA are open!

Apply as early as possible to maximize your financial aid.

California Priority Deadline: March 2, 2026

  • Students who apply by the California priority deadline get priority to receive state grants (more money). Students can receive thousands in money just by applying by the priority deadline.
  • You can submit your application after March 2nd but may not have priority to receive state grants.
  • State grants are only available to CA residents or AB 540 eligible students.

More Deadline Information

Missed the state priority deadline? It's not too late to apply!

You can complete your financial aid application through the last month of the school year or before the last day you are attending for the school year.

  • You are no longer able apply for the 2024-2025 FAFSA but the 2025-2026 is open for Fall 2025 - Summer 2026 semesters
  • For the 2025-2026 school year, the last date to apply for financial aid is June 30, 2026.
  • You must submit your application shortly before your last date of attendance in a school year.
    • For example: If you stop attending late May 2025, then you will need to have your application submitted sometime in early May. Contact the financial aid office for more information on this.
  • If you applied for financial aid after beginning your classes, please know you can still apply and may still receive financial aid for those classes.
  • As long as your classes are still within the current school year, you can receive financial aid for classes taken in a previous semester.
  • For example, if you attended Fall 2025, and are attending Spring 2026, you can submit your financial aid application during Spring 2026 and possibly receive financial aid for Fall 2025.

Applying for Financial Aid in the 2026-27 Academic Year As a Mixed-Status Family in California

Students who are required to include information about a parent or spouse who is undocumented on their FAFSA may choose to complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead. Learn more about how you can make an informed decision.

How to create an FSA ID for parents with no SSN

Instructions on how to create an FSA ID: English | Spanish

Contacts for Support