Financial Information

Payment of Financial Aid

To receive financial aid funds, a student must be registered, in good academic standing, and attend classes. Any changes to the number of credit hours you are registered for can impact financial aid eligibility for the semester and possible future semesters. Changes in registration may be student-initiated by a withdrawal or drop or can be instructor-initiated due to lack of class attendance or by the Registrar’s Office, which reserves the right to cancel courses. Students are responsible for maintaining themselves as registered students for financial aid purposes.

Only courses eligible for the student’s degree program are eligible for financial aid funds. Eligible students receive financial aid funds throughout the semester depending on the student’s enrolled/attending classes. The Financial Services Office sends out refunds starting the 6th week of classes and weekly after. Students are expected to pay for their indirect educational-related expenses with their own funds until refunds are distributed. Students eligible for a refund will be given bookstore credit two weeks before the start of the semester. The following are some specific disbursement conditions you should be aware of.

Census Date

Cayuga Community College will pay a student’s financial aid funds based on their enrollment status per each semester’s census date listed below. The Census date refers to the point at which your enrolled credit hours are “frozen” for financial aid purposes. The census date does not apply to student loans. Below are the Census Dates by term for the 2025-2026 year.

PELL Grants

The amount of Pell Grant you receive will be based on your enrollment status as of the Census date. Credit hours added after the Census date cannot increase Pell Grant eligibility, so register early. If you add classes after the Census date, your Pell Grant will not increase. Students who registered after this date for the first time have their enrollment status frozen when they first register for classes. Late-start students cannot add courses after their initial registration to increase their Pell Grant eligibility. Pell Grant funds will be paid out throughout the semester based on the students attending classes. Students will receive one-half of their Pell Grant eligibility in the fall and the other half in the spring. If all of your Pell Grant eligibility is used during the Fall and Spring, the Financial Aid office will review your eligibility for Summer Pell and notify you on myCayuga.

Student Loans

Student loans only pay out once the student has begun attendance in at least six credits. Student loans are paid out in two disbursements. Fall/Spring loans are paid out with one-half in the Fall and one-half in Spring. Spring-only loans will be paid out in two disbursements over the spring term, and Summer loans are always paid out in two disbursements over the course of the term.

NYS TAP Awards

NYS TAP awards will be based on your enrollment status as the Census Date. A student must be registered 6-11 credits for part-time TAP, 12 credits for full-time TAP, and be enrolled in one 15-week long course. Full-time TAP will only pay out once the student has begun attendance in at least 12 credits. Part-time TAP will only pay out once the student has begun attendance in all courses. Students taking remedial courses must register for one regular three-credit course in their first semester and two three-credit courses in the second semester.

Student Employment

Student workers are paid every two weeks based on hours worked. Student Employment cannot be used as a deferral on your bill.

Institutional Grants/Scholarships

Students will receive their funds based on their enrollment status, but in general, institutional funds are based on Fall/Spring awards, which are paid out half in the fall and half in the spring.