Financial aid funds are credited directly to the student's university account once all financial aid requirements are met for enrolled students. The first disbursement occurs no earlier than 10 calendar days prior to the first day of classes for each fall and spring term, as well as the summer term for students enrolled in summer classes. Thereafter, disbursement occurs on a weekly basis throughout each term. Annual awards are generally split equally between the fall and spring semesters. Regardless of financial aid, students are responsible for ensuring fees are paid in full prior to the fee payment deadline.
Financial aid funds on the student's account first pay tuition and fees and other applicable charges. Any remaining aid in excess of fees owed is issued to students by direct deposit or a mailed paper check as soon as possible and ideally within one week. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit for ease of payment. Direct deposit enrollment is available on the my.sandiego.edu web portal in the "My Student Account" box.
Please contact the Financial Aid office at lawaid@usd.edu for disbursement questions.
In addition to being enrolled and meeting all financial aid requirements, students must also submit the appropriate promissory notes in order for loans to disburse. Also, for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS Loans, students must complete the Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling prior to disbursement.
Regulations require that federal loans be disbursed in two equal installments corresponding to the start of each academic semester. Students who borrow from the federal loan programs will have the loan funds automatically deposited in their USD student accounts. These funds will be used to pay any outstanding tuition and fee charges. Any excess funds will then be refunded to the student. The earliest loan funds can be disbursed is ten days before classes begin. Refunds are generally available 2-3 business days after funds have disbursed to your USD Student Account. Regardless of the EFT process, students are responsible for ensuring payment of tuition and fees before the fee payment deadline. Students who have received student loans and subsequently drop units may have a portion of their loan proceeds returned to the Direct Loan Program.
Private loan lenders will generally follow the same procedures as outlined for the Direct Loan Program. If the funds are received by paper check, these loans are not co-payable and if a student's account has a credit or a zero balance a student may receive the check without endorsing it to the university.
Students are responsible for submitting timecards via Workday for payment on a bi-weekly basis according to the USD Payroll Calendar. Paychecks are released via direct deposit or mailed paper checks. Failure to submit timely and accurate timecards may delay the paycheck.
USD School of Law scholarship checks from outside entities made payable to USD are disbursed directly to the student's University student account. If scholarship checks from outside entities are made payable or co-payable to the student, the student must first endorse the check allowing USD to apply the funds to the student's account. Scholarship awards are split equally between the fall and spring semesters. Scholarship awards may result in a reduction of other aid. Adjustments are made automatically by the School of Law Financial Aid Office and the student will be notified of any revisions.
Loan Counseling
- Entrance Loan Counseling
- Exit Loan Counseling
Students who are first-time borrowers at USD School of Law under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS Loan, or private loan programs must complete Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling before loan funds may be disbursed. This counseling session will provide students the opportunity to review debt management strategies, borrowing limits and disbursement procedures, and will inform the borrower of their rights and responsibilities.
Failure to satisfy the Loan Entrance Counseling requirement in a timely manner may cause your loan funds to be delayed or canceled. Therefore, students should complete the Entrance Counseling as soon as possible.
Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling Instructions:
- Go to StudentAid.gov
- Log in using your FSA ID
- Complete the Loan Entrance Counseling.
- After you have completed the Entrance Counseling, USD School of Law will automatically receive confirmation of completion.