UC financial aid disbursement guide: Loans, refunds and what to expect

Whether you’re using loans to cover tuition, waiting on a Pell Grant to cover books or budgeting for that first week of classes, understanding financial aid disbursement is the key to avoiding surprise bills, staying on top of your finances and peace of mind.

Let’s walk through what happens after your aid is awarded and how to make sure it actually lands in your account.

Financial aid disbursement is the official term for when your awarded aid — like Pell Grants, Direct Loans, or scholarships — is directly applied to your UC bill. It doesn’t happen right after you submit the FAFSA or receive your award letter. It’s part of a scheduled timeline that kicks in once all your paperwork is complete and the semester is about to begin.

Before your aid can be disbursed, you need to:

• Accept your aid package in Catalyst

• Be enrolled in the required number of credit hours

• Complete any federal loan steps like Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note

Once everything checks out, your aid gets applied; first to tuition and fees, then housing and meal plans if applicable.

For the University of Cincinnati, financial aid typically disburses 10 days before the start of each semester, as long as your aid is fully processed and you meet eligibility requirements.

For Fall 2025, classes begin on Aug. 25, so funds are expected to be disbursed around Aug.15.

Your aid will automatically be applied to:

• Tuition and fees

• On-campus housing and meal plans (if applicable)

Once those are covered, any remaining funds are refunded to you. 

Pro tip: You can track this all in your Catalyst portal, including your financial aid disbursement status, messages, and any outstanding to-do items.

Once your UC charges are covered, any leftover aid becomes your refund, which you can use for textbooks, supplies, transportation, or other college essentials like a much-needed coffee. 

Refunds are sent to you in one of two ways:

• Direct deposit to your bank account (fastest option)

• Paper check mailed to your address on file

To speed things up, set up direct deposit in Catalyst.

Pro tip: Just because you get a refund doesn’t mean it’s extra cash. It’s part of your total aid package and might need to stretch across the semester. Budget accordingly.

If your disbursement date has passed and your bill still says “financial aid disbursement not received,” don’t panic, take a deep breath — then check these common issues first:

1. Log in to Catalyst and review your To Do List

2. Is your FAFSA complete and verified?

3. Are you registered at least part time or on co-op? 

4. Have you accepted the aid as part of your award offer?

5. Are you meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards?

6. Have you completed Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note?

If everything looks good and your aid still isn’t posting, contact Enrollment Services and we’ll help troubleshoot through the proper next steps.

Let’s clear up any confusion:

• Disbursement = UC receives and applies aid to your bill

• Refund = You get any leftover aid that wasn’t needed for UC charges

You won’t always get a refund, and that’s okay. It just means your aid covered your bill and that’s it.

Paying for college can feel like a big, complicated system, and honestly, it kind of is. But understanding how financial aid disbursement works helps you stay ahead of the game (and maybe avoid last-minute money panic).

Check your Catalyst portal regularly, stay on top of your to-do list, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. You're not expected to know it all right away.

College is a big step, but financially? You’ve got this. And UC is here to help.