Financial aid disbursement typically occurs about one week before the first day of classes for a given semester or quarter. The exact timing depends on the institution, but generally:

• Aid is disbursed to the student's account to pay tuition and fees about one week before classes start.
• If the aid amount exceeds charges, refunds are issued shortly after tuition is paid.
• Disbursement eligibility requires a complete financial aid file, enrollment status (often full-time), and sometimes meeting satisfactory academic progress standards.

Here are some specific examples for 2025:

• University of Washington: Autumn 2025 financial aid disbursement begins September 18, about a week before the September 24 quarter start.

• UMBC: Aid disburses one week before classes start for fall/spring semesters, after documents are complete and enrollment is confirmed.

• University of Northern Iowa: Fall 2025 financial aid disburses August 15 for classes starting late August.

• UTSA: Disbursement earliest 10 days prior to fall or spring semester, for Fall 2025 starting August 15.

• Dallas College: Aid released after the 16-week census date, generally after classes have started.

• Austin Community College: Grants and loans disburse beginning the first week of the session with some delays for first-time borrowers.

In brief, financial aid disbursement usually occurs about a week to 10 days before or around the first day of classes, depending on the school and specific conditions like completed paperwork and enrollment status.