Disbursement

Grants, loans, and scholarships are disbursed to student accounts each semester, before classes begin, to pay off the University Accounts Receivable (UAR) balances. If there are any remaining funds, they will be refunded to the student.

Below, you will find the disbursement and refund dates for standard disbursement, first-time loan borrowers, summer disbursement, and one-semester-only loans. Please note that these dates are subject to change. To ensure timely disbursement, students are strongly encouraged to complete their financial aid requirements as early as possible.

While refunds through direct deposit may take about 2-3 business days to process after disbursement, please be aware that check deliveries are dependent on distance and mailing service schedules/delays. 

2024-2025 Schedule

Standard Disbursement

  Fall 2024 Spring 2025
100% of funds disbursed to student accounts to pay University Accounts Receivable balances Aug. 19 Jan. 13
100% of grants, loans, and scholarships refund available through Direct Deposit Aug. 21 Jan. 15
100% of grants, loans, and scholarships refund checks will begin to be mailed out by University Accounts Receivable Aug. 21 Jan. 15

First-Time Loan Borrower Disbursement

Loans for first-time borrowers will disburse 30 days after the semester starts.

  Fall 2024 Spring 2025 Summer 2025
100% loans disbursed to student accounts to pay University Accounts Receivable balances Sept. 20 Feb. 12 June 25 
100% of loans refund available through Direct Deposit  Sept. 23 Feb. 14 June 27 
100% of grants and scholarship refund checks will begin to be mailed out by University Accounts Receivable Sept. 23 Feb. 14 June 27

All students face uncertainty during their first semester. As you adjust your schedule during the first 30 days of the semester, this delay in disbursement will give the Financial Aid Office the flexibility to adjust loan amounts to better reflect your financial aid eligibility. This will reduce the need for collecting returned financial aid for courses that you may have dropped during this period, keeping your debt burden lower. Such a delay is standard in many financial aid offices.

NMSU Financial Aid does not anticipate that this change will affect your ability to pay for books, tuition, and other uuniversity charges. University Accounts Receivable is aware of this change and understands that you will be receiving loan disbursements later in the semester. Credit up to $500/semester is available from the NMSU Bookstore (online or in the campus store) for purchasing books and supplies. Any concerns you may have regarding this change will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by your Financial Aid Advisor.

Credit up to $500/semester is available from the NMSU Bookstore (online or in the campus store) for purchasing books and supplies. Any concerns you may have regarding this change will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by your Financial Aid Advisor.

Summer Disbursement

  Summer [1] 2025 Summer [2] 2025
100% of funds disbursed to student accounts to pay University Accounts Receivable balances May 26 June 30
100% of grants and scholarships refund available through Direct Deposit May 28 July 2
100% of grants and scholarship refund checks will begin to be mailed out by University Accounts Receivable May 28 July 2

Single Semester Loans (Fall) Disbursement

100% of funds disbursed to student accounts to pay University balances Fall 2024 Aug. 19 Spring 2025 Jan. 13. 100% of grants, loans, and scholarships refund available through Direct Deposit Fall 2024 Aug. 21 Spring 2025 Jan 15 100% of grants, loans, and scholarships refund checks will begin to be mailed out by University Accounts Receivable Fall 2024 Aug 21 Spring 2025 Jan 15
  Disbursement [1] Disbursement [2]
50% of funds disbursed to student accounts to pay University Accounts Receivable balances Aug. 19
50% of funds disbursed to student accounts to pay University Accounts Receivable balances Oct. 14*
*For students in MS2 courses only

National and International Exchange Students Disbursement

If you attend another institution through NMSU's National or International Student Exchange Programs, you retain your financial aid eligibility with NMSU. However, disbursement is delayed until 10 days before your trip begins.

Check List

The first week of school, if you:

    ⊗  are enrolled at least half-time in eligible courses (review the NMSU Schedule of Classes for 
         details about eligible and ineligible courses), AND
    ⊗  are academically eligible and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
         do not have a previous University Accounts Receivable balance, AND
    ⊗  have been awarded aid before the first day of courses,

Then disbursement of funds will occur as follows:

  • Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and most scholarships automatically credit to your student account.
  • Aid is applied to University Accounts Receivable (UAR) balances owed.
  • Any remaining funds will be disbursed as a refund.

NOTE:

  • Enrollment is verified daily and adjustments to financial aid may result based on award criteria.
  • Undergraduate students may receive Title IV aid for only one repeat of a previously passed course.
  • Financial aid may not pay for courses added after the deadline for registration and course additions.

Refunds

If you have financial aid that exceeds the charges on your student account at the time of disbursement, you will receive a refund, which may be used to pay other educationally related expenses.  If subsequent charges are made to your account, after your financial aid has disbursed, you are responsible for paying those charges.

Students have a choice as to how they would like to receive their financial aid refund. Students are not required to open or obtain a financial account through a specific financial institution.

The following are financial aid refund options:

Direct Deposit Refunds

Direct deposit is the electronic transfer of funds to your personal bank account.

Direct Deposit enrollment is available through your myNMSU account and is the University Accounts Receivable's preferred way to pay your financial aid.  It is also the best way to ensure your aid funds are received in a timely manner.  To have your financial aid refunds deposited directly into your personal bank account, please log into your myNMSU account to complete the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form.  For additional information and step-by-step instructions, please visit the University Accounts Receivable Direct Deposit webpage or call 575-646-4911.

Paper Check Refunds

For students who do not use Direct Deposit, a paper check will be issued. Checks are mailed out to the Permanent/Home Address listed on your student account that can be updated via myNMSU.

If you receive a refund check from University Accounts Receivable and subsequently lose, mutilate or destroy the check, please visit the University Accounts Receivable Replacement Checks webpage for information on having a check reissued.