Disbursement Timelines

Understanding your financial aid disbursement timeline

At CMU, we want to ensure you receive your financial aid smoothly and on time. This timeline outlines the key steps in the disbursement process—when aid is applied to your account. Disbursement can vary based on your enrollment and when your classes begin, so it's important to review the details carefully. Use this page as a guide to help you plan ahead and stay informed each semester.

Fall

Aid disburses up to 10 days before the start of the student’s earliest class, assuming Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met and run for a previous term (such as summer enrolled students), and all other requirements are completed. 

Spring

Disbursement occurs the Friday before the earliest course start date, pending SAP and all other requirements are met. Students in only a spring II course will have aid disbursed up to 10 days before the start of their earliest course.

Summer 

Aid cannot disburse until all spring grades are posted and SAP is processed. For new students or those with no prior term enrollment, aid may disburse if they are within the 10-day window of their first summer class and all requirements are complete.

Students enrolled in summer will not receive fall disbursements until after summer grades are posted, and SAP is assessed. This will likely delay disbursement into the start of the fall term, though it will still follow the 10-day window prior to their earliest fall course.