Here’s how the process works:
- Your instructors must verify your attendance in at least one of the first two sessions for each of your classes.
- The money is credited, or disbursed, to your student account. Your tuition, fees, books and supplies (if you used financial aid funds in the bookstore) will be deducted from your financial aid.
- If there’s still money remaining, you’ll receive a refund through direct deposit or a paper check. The Cashier’s Office processes refunds weekly. When you receive your refund depends on when your class(es) start.
Other things that determine how your financial aid pays:
- Course in Program of Study. Your financial aid eligibility is determined by taking courses that are part of your program.
- Attending Hours. Your aid will pay as your classes begin.
There are two exceptions:
- If you receive work-study, you’ll be paid every two weeks.
- If you are a 1st year student (30 earned credits or less at WCC) and have never borrowed a student loan, federal regulations require WCC to wait 30 days after classes begin to credit loan funds to your account.
Here is how to use your financial aid in the WCC Bookstore:
- You must authorize the bookstore to receive some of your funds. Click on WCC Gateway, select Student Gateway, select MyWCC, select Financial Aid tab, select Dashboard and answer the authorization questions on the Home tab.
- The following day, you will have up to $75 per credit hour in the WCC Bookstore.
- Check your spending limit on MyWCC during the bookstore dates for the semester – the dates are below.
Refund dates for Fall semester
| Session(s) | Start date | Funds pay to account | First refund date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 weeks, 12, 10, 7 1/2, 5 weeks | 8/26 | 9/12 | 9/19 |
| Second 12 weeks | 9/18 | 10/3 | 10/10 |
| Second 5 weeks, Second 10 weeks | 10/2 | 10/17 | 10/24 |
| Second 7 1/2 weeks | 10/18 | 11/7 | 11/14 |
| Third 5 weeks | 11/6 | 11/21 | 11/27 |
Swipe left to see full chart
If you’ve authorized your financial aid to go to the WCC Bookstore, money will be available between Aug. 12, 2024 and Sept. 9, 2024. Learn more about using Financial Aid at the Bookstore.
Refund dates for Winter semester
| Session(s) | Start date | Funds pay to account | First refund date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 weeks, 12, 10, 7 1/2, 5 weeks | 1/13/25 | 1/30/25 | 2/6/25 |
| Second 12 weeks | 2/4/25 | 2/20/25 | 2/27/25 |
| Second 5 weeks, Second 10 weeks | 2/18/25 | 3/6/25 | 3/13/25 |
| Second 7 1/2 weeks | 3/13/25 | 4/3/25 | 4/10/25 |
| Third 5 weeks | 4/1/25 | 4/17/25 | 4/24/25 |
Swipe left to see full chart
If you’ve authorized your financial aid to go to the WCC Bookstore, money will be available between December 9, 2024 and January 27, 2025. Learn more about using Financial Aid at the Bookstore.