Receiving Financial Aid 
Your college or career school not the U.S. Department of Education will distribute your federal student aid. You ve told your school which financial aid you want to accept. Learn about when and how you will receive the aid. 

When You ll Receive Your Financial Aid 
The type of aid you accepted affects when you ll get your aid. 

Grants and Student Loans 
Generally , your school will give you your grant or loan money in at least two payments called disbursements. In most cases , your school must give you your grant or loan money at least once per term semester, trimester, or quarter. Schools that don t use traditional terms such as semesters or quarters usually must give you your grant or loan money at least twice for instance, at the beginning and midpoint of your academic year or program. Note: If you re a parent taking out a Direct PLUS Loan to help pay for your child s education expenses , your loan funds will be disbursed according to the same type of schedule. The following may apply if you haven t taken out a federal student loan before : If you re a first - year undergraduate student and a first - time borrower , you may have to wait 30 days after the first day of your enrollment period semester, trimester, etc. before your school is allowed to give you your loan money. Check with your school to see whether this rule applies. If you re a first - time borrower of a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan , you must complete entrance counseling before your school can give you your loan money. If you are a graduate or professional student taking out a Direct PLUS Loan for the first time , you must complete entrance counseling before you receive your first loan disbursement. Note: Counseling isn t required if you re a parent taking out a Direct PLUS Loan to help pay for your child s education. 

Work-Study 
If you re going to have a work - study job , you ll be paid at least once a month. If you don t receive the type or am

user: How will I receive my federal student aid?

assistant: Your college not the U.S. Department of Education will distribute your federal student aid.

user: When should I receive financial aid?

assistant: It all depends on what type of aid you have accepted.

user: What happens with the disbursements of grants and student loans?

assistant: Ultimately your school will dispurse your grant or loan money in at least two payments and must give you your grant or loan money at least once per semester, trimester, or quarter.

user: What is a dispursement?

assistant: A disbursement is when you receive your grant or loan money.

user: Is it true that schools that participate in federal student aid programs must provide a way for me to get my books and supplies by the 7th day of the term?

assistant: Are you eligible for disbursement and do you know that it should be there 10 days before term begins?.

user: Yes, I am eligible for disbursement. and yes I do know the time frame.

assistant: Do you have a credit balance left over after all financial aid was paid?

user: Yes, I have a credit balance left over.

assistant: Then you use that credit balance for books and supplies.

user: What about grants and student loans?

assistant: Grants and student loans are dispursed in at least two payments.