Andrea Arzola-ZunigaThe Rancho Santiago Community College District has temporarily suspended direct deposit financial aid disbursements and has switched to mailed checks after a third-party cybersecurity issue was found, according to an urgent notice sent to students on Monday.
According to the notice, BankMobile, the district’s third-party financial aid provider, told RSCCD it has no indication that the cybersecurity matter has affected the district, SAC or SCC.
As BankMobile continues its review, financial aid checks will be available for students beginning Oct. 12 for SCC students and Oct. 13 for SAC students, according to Lorena Valencia, Associate Dean of Financial Aid. Students will also have the option to receive their checks by mail or pick them up in person at their college.
“The RSCCD was notified by the California Community Colleges on Oct.1, 2026,” Valencia said via email.
Kevin Ramirez, a pre-nursing student, who learned why his funds were not fully disbursed into his account at the financial aid office, said, “I’m just a little frustrated that they didn’t let us know.”
The notice asked students to confirm their mailing address is correct and up to date in their Self-Service accounts to avoid further delays. It also warned that paper check disbursements wouldn’t match the posted disbursement schedules on each college’s financial aid website.
Maite Gerbe, a business administration student, said that the paper check process raises her concerns beyond waiting.
“It’s scary because it’s like a physical check and if it gets lost anywhere, anybody can cash that in,” Gerbe stated. “I feel like there has to be a more convenient way.”
Janice Nejera, another fellow business admin student, added, “What about the people that don’t have an address? I know some people change their address depending on their living situation.”
As of now, students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office directly for more information or questions regarding the status of their disbursements.
