Aid will disburse after the drop/add week is over, i.e. beginning the second week of classes. Federal Direct Loans and Federal PLUS Loans are usually disbursed first. Federal Pell Grants and Federal SEOG grants can take up to a month to be disbursed. State grants and scholarships are often disbursed much later in the semester.
Aid is always applied to a student's account as a credit and is used to pay the school charges first. If there is excess aid after the school has been paid it will be refunded to the student. The quickest, safest way to receive an aid refund is via direct deposit. Those students who do not opt to sign up for direct deposit will have refunds issued via check to their permanent addresses. Paper checks take approximately 7 to 10 business days to be received by the student.
Direct Deposit is quick and easy. Simply provide bank account information and the funds will be deposited directly into the account. If you don’t have a bank account, the funds can also be deposited to a reloadable debit card.
For Direct Deposit/Reloadable Debit Card Registration:
Since aid refunds are not made available until later in the semester, Buffalo State offers a textbook deferment program to help students purchase their textbooks and supplies before the start of the semester. Students whose aid exceeds their charges can request a book deferment to purchase books at the Buffalo State Bookstore. A book deferment is a line of credit that is repaid once the student's aid is disbursed.
Students must request book deferments in Banner or in person at the Financial Aid or Student Accounts Office. Book deferments begin to be issued approximately three weeks before the start of the semester and can begin to be used the week before classes start. The deadline to request a deferment is the last day of drop/add week.
Before requesting a book deferment, students should price their books by visiting the campus bookstore. Students may only request one (1) textbook deferment per semester, therefore, they should take care in estimating their needs.
Allow 48 hours for processing of the deferment request. Students should plan accordingly.
The deadline to use the book deferment is the fourth Friday of the semester (fall and spring). Unused book deferment credit will then be transferred back to a student's Banner student account and a refund issued by Buffalo State within 14 days if applicable.
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