Census Date & Disbursement Calendars
Financial Aid Census Date
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 registered for the correct number of credit hours by this date — otherwise your aid may require repackaging which may also affect your student bill.
2017-2018 Academic Year Census Dates
- Summer 2017: July 12, 2017
- Fall 2017: September 5, 2017
- Spring 2018: February 5, 2018
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 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 Office of Student Accounts each term, providing the award is certified at HESC.
New York State STEM awards will not be disbursed to students’ accounts until after final grades are received each term.
Summer 2017
*Pell recipients registered for summer session will have grant aid disbursed to their account after the Census Date.
| Summer 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 5/30-8/18 (I) | 5/30/2017 | 7/12/2017 |
| Session 1 (J) | 5/30/2017 | 7/12/2017 | |
| Session 2 (K) | 6/26/2017 | 7/12/2017 | |
| Session 3 (M) | 7/10/2017 | 7/12/2017 | |
| 9 Week (L) | 5/30/2017 | 7/12/2017 | |
| 10 Week (A) | 5/30/2017 | 7/12/2017 | |
|
Law
|
begins 5/22/2017 | 5/22/2017 | 7/12/2017 |
Fall 2017, Spring 2018
| Fall 2017 | Spring 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Career/ Academic Level | Disbursements begin on or after the date listed below | Disbursements begin on or after the date listed below |
| Undergraduate (All) | 9/7/2017 | 2/8/2018 |
| Graduate (All) | 8/28/2017 | 1/29/2018 |
| Pharmacy (P1 – P4) | 8/28/2017 | 1/29/2018 |
| Executive MBA Year 1 | 9/15/2017 | 2/9/2018 |
| Executive MBA Year 2 | 8/11/2017 | 1/5/2018 |
| Medicine 1 | 7/28/2017 | 12/26/2017 |
| Medicine 2 | 7/31/2017 | 12/26/2017 |
| Medicine 3 | 7/3/2017 | 12/29/2017 |
| Medicine 4 | 7/3/2017 | 12/8/2017 |
| Dental 1 | 7/28/2017 | 12/26/2017 |
| Dental Medicine 2-4 | 8/4/2017 | 12/26/2017 |
| Law 1 | 8/21/2017 | 1/09/2018 |
| Law 2, 3 | 8/31/2017 | 2/5/2018 |
| Law Bridge 2, 3 | 8/31/2017 | 1/3/2018 |
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.