Los Rios Transitions to Nelnet for Financial Aid Disbursements and Refunds

Los Rios is transitioning to Nelnet Campus Commerce for student disbursements and refunds, including financial aid refunds, scholarships, emergency funds, grants, and stipends. Visit Financial Aid Disbursements and Refunds to learn how to access Nelnet or file a claim with BankMobile.

If you are expecting a financial aid refund, take these steps to help ensure your funds are delivered as quickly as possible.

1. Confirm your address in eServices. Make sure your mailing address is correct under Profile.
2. Set up your disbursement/refund preference. Log in to Nelnet via the Los Rios Apps Dashboard (Okta) to select your delivery preference and provide any required information.
3. Double-check your information. Make sure your banking/direct deposit information is accurate and complete any required verification.
4. Regularly check your Los Rios email for updates related to disbursements, refunds, and related payments.

Nelnet allows students to establish their refund preference before a refund is ready, so you do not need to wait until your financial aid has been disbursed to get set up in Nelnet.

General Transition FAQ

What is changing in regards to financial aid disbursements and refunds?

Los Rios is transitioning to Nelnet for student financial aid disbursements and refunds. Students will use the Nelnet portal to select and manage how they receive their refund.

What happens if a student receives a paper check that becomes stale or needs to be stopped?

Contact your college's Business Services Office. You will need to complete an affidavit, so Business Services can issue a stop payment.

Nelnet FAQ

How can students access Nelnet?

1. Go to the Los Rios Apps Dashboard (Okta).
2. Sign in with your Los Rios ID and password. Complete multi-factor authentication, if prompted.
3. Select the app with the Nelnet logo to open Nelnet Refunds.

See Okta Login Support if you have trouble logging in through Okta.

What do students need to do after they log in to Nelnet?

Students should:

• Access the Refunds option.
• Select a preferred refund method.
• Enter the banking or direct deposit information required for the refund selection.
• Complete security verification required by Nelnet.
• Carefully review the information entered.

Can students select direct deposit as a disbursement method in Nelnet?

Yes. Students can enter their banking information in Nelnet to receive refunds using direct deposit.

Can students receive disbursements via Venmo or a similar app?

Nelnet has indicated that services such as Venmo and Cash App may be used if the service provides you with direct deposit account information. You would obtain the appropriate direct deposit information from that provider and enter it into Nelnet.

Can students change my name, address, or primary email in Nelnet?

No. All updates to your personal contact information must be made in eServices.

BankMobile FAQ

Why didn't I receive my financial aid disbursement through BankMobile?

The Chancellor's Office directed colleges to immediately pause financial aid disbursements through BankMobile due to security concerns and related high-risk activity.

Will students still receive their financial aid disbursements, even though Los Rios is transitioning from BankMobile to Nelnet?

Yes, if you are an authorized student scheduled to receive a disbursement, Los Rios is working with JPMorgan to issue your refund by check instead of through BankMobile.

How will students receive their refund, if not through BankMobile?

Your refund will be issued by check. Los Rios is working on a next-day check process for authorized students. Checks will be mailed to the student mailing address currently on file in eServices.

What do students need to do regarding BankMobile?

Log in to eServices and verify that your mailing address and contact information are correct. This is especially important, because your disbursement may be made as a check mailed to the address on file in eServices.

How do students update their mailing address?

Log in to eServices, click Profile, and review your personal contact information. Update your mailing address if needed.

If a student already has a BankMobile account, will their refund still go to BankMobile?

No, disbursements will no longer be made through BankMobile.

Should students contact BankMobile about their refund?

No, Los Rios is handling the alternative check process for authorized students. You will be notified if there are additional steps for you to take.

Does the transition away from BankMobile mean some students are no longer eligible for financial aid?

No. The pause of BankMobile disbursements does not mean that your financial aid eligibility has changed. If you were authorized for the affected disbursement, your refund is being handled through the check process.

Why were disbursements through BankMobile paused?

BankMobile identified security concerns and related high-risk activity, and, in response, the California Community College Chancellor's Office directed that financial aid disbursements through BankMobile be paused statewide. For security reasons, we cannot provide additional details about the activity.

Do the BankMobile concerns only affect Los Rios?

No. The pause of financial aid disbursements through BankMobile is statewide, based on directions from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

Can students pick up a disbursement/refund check at their college?

No. Checks cannot be picked up at the college at this time. If you are receiving a paper check, it will be mailed to the mailing address listed in eServices. Please make sure your address is current.