Long Beach City College students expecting financial aid payments this month are facing delays as BankMobile, the service that disburses students’ financial aid, experiences processing issues affecting colleges across California.
LBCC initially notified students that financial aid payments scheduled for Oct. 2 could be delayed because of possible fraud and security concerns involving BankMobile. The college said on its website the issue was outside of LBCC’s control.
The college emailed students saying that it will issue affected financial aid disbursements through paper checks until the issue with BankMobile is resolved. LBCC said it hopes to begin mailing checks later this week, though the exact timing will depend on final processing and mail delivery.
For students who rely on financial aid to cover everyday expenses, the delay has created financial difficulties.
“Financially I can’t pay my rent, can’t pay my car bills, I can’t buy food and I can’t pump gas,” LBCC student Brenda Gonzalez said. “It got really hard trying to manage all that without getting the money I financially rely on.” Gonzalez said.
LBCC is asking students to review their mailing addresses and contact information in the Viking Student System. Students can choose to pick up their checks at the Liberal Arts Campus or have them mailed to the address on file.
Students also shared their anger with how financial aid money is being dispersed in this new format.
“It’s an inconvenience. If it gets delivered, it could get lost in the mail,” said Gonzalez. “I’m choosing to pick up my check in person but it could also be difficult because I expect a large number of students to choose that option as well. It’s also really hard to go in to get my check because I get off of work late and the office is not open on weekends or open late.”
A sign inside Long Beach City College lists the estimated wait times for student services on Oct. 7, 2026. (Dezaray Jimenez)
The delay is not limited to LBCC. Maria Velazquez, a student at Santa Monica College, said her college communicated with students about the situation through email.
“I expected the funds by the 6th but instead learned of the delay.”Velazquez said
According to Velazquez, students at SMC were told the delay could result in some students receiving their refunds soon, while others could face an additional five business days of waiting.
LBCC is moving affected disbursements to paper checks while the BankMobile issue continues.
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