financial aid - when do we get it???

<p>I'm in socal and I really want to get my financial aid soon so I could buy a macbook pro! I'm leaving on August 21st for Berkeley and I want to buy the macbook pro several days before that.</p>

<p>I am sorry but financial aid money does not get disbursed until 1 or 2 weeks before school starts. Even then, you will have to wait a couple of weeks before your refund is issued if you qualify for one. What you can do now is use your own money or borrow some from your parents to purchase the MBP. Once your refunds comes, you will be reimbursed.</p>

<p>This sounds like the begging of a long string of bad financial decisions.</p>

<p>^ indeed, thus is our fine country, the credit card junky capital of the world.</p>

<p>I am curious about dispersement dates as well, but because I need that money to pay my rent, for books and hopefully some food this semester.</p>

<p>Anyone know how they disperse it? Is it 2 times a semester?</p>

<p>usually a week before the start of a semester, and sometimes a long time after. For instance, this summer I got the money about 2 weeks into the summer session A start date.</p>