Disbursement Process

Disbursement Options

The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) delivers financial aid refunds through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution powered by BMTX, Inc. If you have a pending financial aid refund, please follow the steps below to make your Refund Selection.

Please Note: You will only be able to set up your BankMobile account if you have a pending financial aid refund.

Get Started

  • Go to our Refund Selection website.

  • Follow the instructions to begin the refund selection process.

  • You will be required to confirm or provide a mobile phone number that can receive text messages.

  • A One-Time Passcode (OTP) will be sent to your mobile phone as part of the verification process.

  • Make sure your mobile phone number and mailing address are current in WebSMART.

Make a Selection

When it comes to deciding how to get your money, you deserve choices. Your choices include:

Electronic Deposit to your Bank Account
Money is transferred to your bank account the same business day BMTX, Inc. receives funds from your school. Typically, it takes 1–2 business days for the receiving bank to credit the money to your account.

Electronic Deposit to a BMTX, Inc. Vibe Account
If you open a BMTX, Inc. Vibe account (upon identity verification), money is deposited the same business day BMTX, Inc. receives funds from your school.

Check
If you decide not to have your funds deposited electronically, you will receive a check in the mail.

Please Note: If prompted to enter your school’s name, use San Mateo County Community College District. We are enrolled with BMTX, Inc. as a college district, not as three separate colleges.

Terms of Agreement 

For additional information, view our third-party servicer contract for refund management. 

Disbursement Process 

All financial aid funds are disbursed on scheduled dates each term. The enrollment status of students for financial aid awarding and disbursement purposes is finalized at the census date of the semester, noted on the college’s academic calendar. The census date also serves as the college’s Pell Recalculation Date (PRD). At that time, the actual amount of federal and state grants is determined per student. Courses added after the PRD are not counted for financial aid eligibility.

The census date applies to all courses regardless of when the course begins or ends. There is no appeal process for how the PRD or census date is applied, as these requirements must be applied consistently to all students. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office if they believe there is an error in their enrollment or financial aid record.

If students are enrolled in an eligible program and their financial aid file is complete, students will receive two disbursements of Federal Grant aid each semester, based on their enrollment level at census date (date varies by semester) and classes actively in session. If students are enrolled in a late-start class, it will be paid when their attendance begins. Students enrolled in late-start classes may initially receive less funds than their enrolled units but will receive additional disbursements as the late-start class begins.

  • Federal Grant Aid includes Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.

  • Federal Direct Loans are also disbursed in two payments based on the approved loan period.

    • Direct Loans are not disbursed for late-start classes until the student is enrolled and attending at least six units of coursework required for their program of study.

    • Effective Fall 2026, federal regulations require schools to prorate Federal Direct Loan amounts based on a student's CPOS-approved enrollment. Students enrolled less than full time may receive a reduced loan amount.

  • Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) funds are one disbursement after census.

Deduction of Fees

All disbursed financial aid such as grants, federal student loans and scholarships will be first applied towards current institutional fees. These are fees owed to Cañada College, College of San Mateo or Skyline College such as enrollment fees, health fees and non-resident tuition. Once all institutional fees are paid, the remaining eligible balance will be disbursed to the student.

Student Refunds

The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) disburses your financial aid and scholarship refunds through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution powered by BMTX, Inc., offering various refund options for you to choose from.

Please Note: Students who have selected to deposit their refund into an existing bank account or into a Vibe bank account should expect to see their refund 7–10 days after the disbursement amount moves from the "Expected Amount" to the "Paid to Date" column. Other refund methods may be delayed an additional 2–3 weeks.