Your financial aid is awarded, assuming you will enroll full-time (12 or more units) each financial aid period (fall, spring, and summer). Your disbursement may be reduced if you enroll in less than 12 units or withdraw from one or more of your classes. See below on how your financial aid disbursement is calculated based on the number of units in which you are enrolled.
Financial Aid Periods and Enrollment Intensity
For financial aid purposes, the academic year is divided into three distinct aid periods that correspond to standard college terms. These periods are used to determine a student’s enrollment intensity, which affects eligibility for certain types of aid, such as Pell Grants.
Fall Aid Period
Covers all coursework taken during the Fall semester. Enrollment intensity for Fall is calculated based on total units enrolled during the Fall term alone.
Spring Aid Period
Includes both Winter and Spring terms, which are combined into a single financial aid period. Enrollment intensity for Spring is based on the combined units from both the Winter and Spring sessions.
Summer Aid Period
Covers all coursework taken during the Summer term. Enrollment intensity is based on Summer units only and is considered a trailer term for most aid programs (e.g., Pell Grant Year-Round eligibility).
Note: Combining Winter and Spring into a single aid period is important because it affects how total enrollment is counted when determining aid disbursement, especially for programs with unit-based eligibility (e.g., Pell, Cal Grant, etc.).
Federal Pell Grant
Your disbursement is determined by the number of units you have begun attending and the start date of your classes. Only classes that have started will be counted towards your enrolled unit eligible for each disbursement. Your Federal Pell Grant is disbursed in two separate disbursements each semester (View Disbursement and Refund Schedule)
If you are enrolled in
| Units Enrolled For The Term | You will receive the following percentage of your Federal Pell Grant |
| 12 or more | 100% |
| 11 | 92% |
| 10 | 83% |
| 9 | 75% |
| 8 | 67% |
| 7 | 58% |
| 6 | 50% |
| 5 | 42% |
| 4 | 33% |
| 3 | 25% |
| 2 | 17% |
| 1 | 8% |
Depending on your student aid index (SAI), you may or may not be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant award. You will receive your modified Federal Pell Grant in two disbursements for the semester.
NOTE: If you were enrolled late, you may receive your disbursement at one time.
Cal Grant:
- 100% if you are enrolled in 12 or more units
- 75% if you are enrolled in 9.0-11.5 units
- 50% if you are enrolled in 6.0-8.5 units
- 0% if you are enrolled in less than six units
Other Financial Aid Types
You must be enrolled in at least six (6) units each semester to receive:
- Federal Direct Loan(s)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Work Study (FWS)
- Cal Grant A, B, and C (100% at 12 or more units, 75% at 9-11.5 units, 50% at 6-8.5 units, 0% at less than 6 units)
You must be enrolled in at least twelve (12) units to receive:
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG): 12-14 Units SSCG
You must be enrolled in at least fifteen (15) units to receive:
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG): 15+ Units SSCG
Is full-time different in the summer?
No, being a full-time student (taking 12 or more units) is the same in all terms: fall, spring, and summer. The college might have different rules for winter and summer terms related to enrollment certification, but it doesn't apply to financial aid rules.