Direct Deposit
There are two different ways of signing up for direct deposit at UCI. All students are recommended to sign up for direct deposit from their ZOT Account to receive disbursements and refunds electronically. Students who are employees should also consider signing up for direct deposit of their paycheck using the University of California's payroll system, UCPath.
- ZOT Account – for all students
To receive payments from your ZOT Account (including refunds and financial aid disbursements), access DEFT by clicking the “Electronic Refunds” link in the navigation sidebar. Financial aid recipients are required to select a delivery option prior to disbursement with mail becoming the default option when no selection is made.
Choose “Electronic Fund Transfer” for direct deposits to your bank account, or “Paper Check” for postal mail delivery. Complete the requested information carefully. DEFT does not verify your banking information with your bank before attempting a direct deposit. You will receive a message confirming your choice at your UCI e-mail address.
- UCPath Online – for student employees
To receive payments from the Payroll system, students with work-study funding and graduate students with employment appointments (e.g., teaching and research assistantships) must use UCPath Online. For more information, see the direct deposit information on the Payroll Office website.
Student Information Updates
IT IS CRITICAL that you keep your student contact information current to transact and communicate with the university. Only you know about changes to your personal situation, such as moving to a new apartment or switching banks. Therefore you are responsible for providing up-to-date information to the campus, in a prompt and accurate manner.
The following student information relates to ZOT Account Online functions:
- Mailing Address
If you selected “Paper Check” in DEFT, your funds are mailed to the address you specify. Be sure to change your mailing address in DEFT when you move. If a check is lost in the mail, you are required to complete a sworn declaration before the check may be reissued. - Banking Information
If you selected “Electronic Fund Transfer” in DEFT, your funds are deposited directly to your bank account using the routing number, account type, and account number you provided. If you close that account, login to DEFT and enter new banking information to correspond with your current bank. - Legal Name and Matching SSN/ITIN
The university uses your legal name and matching Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for identification. For example, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships needs your name and SSN to associate your FAFSA with your UCI student records.
The university also is required to report your legal name and matching SSN/ITIN on IRS Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement). By law, you are required to have the correct information on file with UCI. See How do I update my 1098-T information? for instructions on updating (adding/changing/correcting) your name and SSN/ITIN.
In addition to keeping your student information current, be sure to manage your UCI email account. Check regularly for new email, and sort and file messages promptly to clear your inbox. University offices conduct official business via email only, and you don't want to miss a deadline or lose information due to a full mail box.