Census Date & Disbursement Calendars
Financial Aid Census Date
Census refers to the day a snapshot is taken of a student’s registration for financial aid purposes. Federal Pell, TEACH and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants are based on UB credit hours registered by 11:59 pm EST on this date. There is a census date for each semester.
Be sure you are fully registered by this date. Courses added after this date will not be considered for financial aid eligibility.
2020-2021 Academic Year Census Dates
- Summer 2020: July 8, 2020
- Fall 2020: September 8, 2020
- Spring 2021: February 1, 2021
NOTE: There is no census date for winter session, since it is not considered a stand-alone term.
What is disbursement?
The process of releasing financial aid and posting the funds directly to the student’s account. A disbursement can be positive or negative. While a positive disbursement will apply funds to your student account, a negative disbursement will withdraw funds from your account. Negative disbursements may occur as a result of an overpayment of a financial aid award.
What is a refund?
The process of taking the credit balance on a student’s account and returning it to the student according to the Student Accounts Office refund schedule.
Disbursement Schedule
Financial aid disbursements will begin on or after the dates shown on the timeline below and will run through the end of the academic year. Outstanding eligibility requirements, such as items listed on the student’s To Do List in HUB Student Services Center, may delay the disbursement of one or more funds. Financial aid funds are disbursed directly to the student’s University at Buffalo student account, with the exception of Federal Work-Study which is paid directly to the student via paycheck.
New York State Financial Aid Award Disbursements
New York State awards including the TAP Grant and scholarships are disbursed to the student account after 100% tuition liability is assessed by the Student Accounts Office each term, providing the award is certified at HESC.
New York State Excelsior Scholarship, Excelsior Tuition Credit and STEM funds will not disburse to students’ accounts until after final grades are received each term.
Summer 2020
*Summer Pell Grant funds will disburse after the summer census date, regardless of the session in which you are enrolled.
| Summer 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Career/ Academic Level | Summer Session | Disbursements begin on or after the date listed below | Financial Aid Census Date |
|
Undergraduate (All)
Graduate (All) Pharmacy (P1-P4) |
Full 5/26-8/14 (I) | 5/26/2020 | 7/8/2020 |
| Session 1 (J) | 5/26/2020 | 7/8/2020 | |
| Session 2 (K) | 6/22/2020 | 7/8/2020 | |
| Session 3 (M) | 7/06/2020 | 7/8/2020 | |
| 9 Week (L) | 5/26/2020 | 7/8/2020 | |
| 10 Week (A) | 5/26/2020 | 7/8/2020 | |
|
Law
|
begins 5/18/2020 | 5/26/2020 | 7/8/2020 |
Fall 2020, Spring 2021
Update to Financial Aid disbursement date.
COVID-19 Update: Disbursement dates listed below are tentative. Dates will be confirmed closer to the start of each term.
This fall, Financial Aid will tentatively begin disbursing aid* on Aug. 24, 2020. This new disbursement date means eligible students will receive their funds earlier than in previous semesters. (No action required.)
As a reminder, students must satisfy all eligibility requirements to receive financial aid. Changes to enrollment status after the disbursement date may require a partial or full repayment of funds.
*New York State awards will continue to be reflected as anticipated aid on your student account until either the fifth week of classes or the end of the term, depending on the award type.
| Fall 2020 | Spring 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Career/ Academic Level | Disbursements tentatively begin on or after the date listed below | Disbursements tentatively begin on or after the date listed below |
| Undergraduate (All) | 8/24/2020 | 1/19/2021 |
| Graduate (All) | 8/24/2020 | 1/19/2021 |
| Pharmacy (P1 – P4) | 8/24/2020 | 1/19/2021 |
| Executive MBA Year 1 | 9/17/2020 | 1/14/2021 |
| Executive MBA Year 2 | 9/3/2020 | NA |
| Medicine 1 | 7/24/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
| Medicine 2 | 7/26/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
| Medicine 3 | 7/1/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
| Medicine 4 | 7/17/2020 | 12/4/2020 |
| Dental 1 | 7/31/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
| Dental Medicine 2-4 | 7/31/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
| Law 1 | 8/17/2020 | 1/4/2021 |
| Law 2, 3 | 8/24/2020 | 1/22/2021 |
| Law Bridge 2, 3 | 8/24/2020 | 12/28/2020 |
Information is subject to change without notice due to changes in federal, state and/or institutional rules and regulations. Students must complete a FAFSA every year. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to continue to receive financial aid.