Financial Aid Disbursement FAQs
BankMobile, a third-party financial aid disbursement provider used by California community colleges, has implemented additional security measures in response to a previously identified security incident affecting a limited number of institutions. BankMobile has informed RSCCD that it has no reason to believe Santa Ana College or Santiago Canyon College, part of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD), were among the institutions impacted by the incident. As an additional precaution, RSCCD worked with BankMobile to review account change activity and requested additional validation measures before resuming electronic financial aid disbursements.
There is currently no indication that Rancho Santiago Community College District, Santa Ana College, or Santiago Canyon College systems were involved in the activity identified by BankMobile.
Based on information currently available, there is currently no indication that students at Santa Ana College or Santiago Canyon College were impacted by the activity identified by BankMobile.
Yes. Students will continue to receive the financial aid for which they are eligible. As a precaution, Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College temporarily issued two rounds of financial aid disbursements by paper check while additional review activities were completed and information was evaluated in coordination with BankMobile. Based on the information provided and the completion of those review activities, the colleges have resumed electronic financial aid disbursements. The next scheduled electronic disbursements for the Fall 2026 semester are: November 16, 2026; December 14, 2026; February 1, 2027.
Yes, if you have not previously created a BankMobile account, you will be asked to authenticate using a cell phone device. You must have one and only one cell phone number on file in Self Service. The phone number listed must belong to a device that is in your possession and not that of a parent, guardian, or other relative or friend. It is critical to update your phone number in Self Service no later than 1pm on Friday, October 30, 2026. Refer to these instructions for updating your cell phone number Confirm-or-Update-your-Phone-Number-in-Self-Service.pdf
You do not need to take any action to get electronic disbursements from BankMobile if you have gotten them in the past. However, we highly recommend that you review and update your cell phone information in Self Service as soon as possible, regardless. BankMobile is using cell phone information to conduct security validations as part of their new security standards. As such, you may be asked to use your cell phone to verify when requesting account changes or if your account has suspicious activity that requires additional verification. You must have one and only one cell phone number on file in Self Service. The phone number listed must belong to a device that is in your possession and not that of a parent, guardian, or other relative or friend. Refer to these instructions for updating your cell phone number: Confirm-or-Update-your-Phone-Number-in-Self-Service.pdf
If you do not have a cell phone, you will not be able to get electronic Financial Aid disbursements due to BankMobile’s updated security verification requirements. However, you may be able to get a paper check from BankMobile.
Yes. However, you must update your cell phone in Self Service before you do so. You must have one and only one cell phone number on file. The phone number listed must belong to a device that is in your possession and not that of a parent, guardian, or other relative or friend. It is critical to update your phone number in Self Service no later than 1pm on Friday, October 30, 2026. Refer to these instructions for updating your cell phone number Confirm-or-Update-your-Phone-Number-in-Self-Service.pdf
Acting on recommendations from BankMobile leadership, RSCCD worked directly with BankMobile to review account change activity associated with financial aid disbursements and requested additional validation measures before resuming electronic disbursements. Following the completion of these activities and a review of information provided by BankMobile, RSCCD determined it was appropriate to resume electronic financial aid disbursements.
The colleges temporarily issued paper checks as a precaution based on information provided by BankMobile and under guidance received from the California Community Colleges State Chancellor’s Office.
BankMobile informed us that it has no reason to believe Santa Ana College or Santiago Canyon College, part of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD), were impacted. As an additional precaution, and acting on recommendations from BankMobile leadership, RSCCD worked directly with BankMobile to review account change activity associated with financial aid disbursements and requested additional validation measures before resuming electronic disbursements. The actions taken by RSCCD were intended to help protect student accounts and support the secure delivery of financial aid while additional information was reviewed.
BankMobile has indicated that its communications have been directed toward individuals or institutions it believes may have been affected. Based on information currently available, there is currently no indication that Santa Ana College, or Santiago Canyon College students were impacted by the activity identified by BankMobile.
Yes. Financial aid disbursements will continue through BankMobile unless students are notified otherwise.
If you notice unauthorized activity or changes to your BankMobile account, report the issue directly to BankMobile and contact your college Financial Aid Office so staff are aware of the situation and can assist with financial-aid-related questions.
Santa Ana College Financial Aid Office
financial_aid@sac.edu
(714) 564-6242
Santiago Canyon College Financial Aid Office
finaid@sccollege.edu
(714) 628-4876