Census Date & Disbursement Calendars

Census refers to the day a snapshot is taken of a student’s registration for financial aid purposes. Federal Pell, TEACH and Children of Fallen Heroes Grants are based on UB credit hours registered by 11:59 pm EST on this date. There is a census date for each semester.

• Summer 2025: July 10, 2025
• Fall 2025: September 2, 2025
• Spring 2026: January 28, 2026

NOTE: There is no census date for winter session, since it is not considered a stand-alone term.

Be sure you are fully registered by this date. Courses added after this date will not be considered for financial aid eligibility.

The process of releasing financial aid and posting the funds directly to the student’s account.  Disbursements can be positive or negative. While a positive disbursement will apply funds to your student account, a negative disbursement will withdraw funds from your account. Negative disbursements may occur as a result of an overpayment of a financial aid award.

The process of taking the credit balance on a student’s account and returning it to the student according to the Student Accounts Office refund schedule.

Financial aid disbursements will begin on or after the dates shown on the timeline below and will run through the end of the academic year. Outstanding eligibility requirements, such as items listed on the student’s To-Do List in HUB Student Services Center, may delay the disbursement of one or more funds. Financial aid funds are disbursed directly to the student’s University at Buffalo student account, with the exception of Federal Work-Study which is paid directly to the student via paycheck.

New York State awards including the TAP Grant and scholarships are disbursed to the student account after 100% tuition liability is assessed by the Student Accounts Office each term, providing the award is certified at HESC.

New York State Excelsior Scholarship, Excelsior Tuition Credit and STEM funds will not disburse to students’ accounts until after final grades are received each term.

*Summer Pell Grant funds will disburse after the summer census date, regardless of the session in which you are enrolled.

Federal financial aid will disburse prior to the first day of classes for the fall and spring semesters. Changes to your enrollment may impact your eligibility, so it is important to complete your registration before the dates listed below to avoid adjustments to your financial aid. We will evaluate your eligibility prior to the disbursements to confirm that your financial aid package is as accurate as possible.

IMPORTANT! If your financial aid eligibility changes after disbursement, you will be required to return the funds you received.

New York State financial aid will continue to follow the schedule dictated by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The TAP Grant, SUNY Tuition Credit, and some other scholarships will disburse to eligible students after the 5th week of classes. Eligibility for the Excelsior and STEM Scholarships will be determined after the completion of the fall term.

*New York State awards will continue to be reflected as anticipated aid on your student account until either the fifth week of classes or the end of the term, depending on the award type.