If I have been awarded a Pell Grant but never registered for classes, will I have to repay the money?

Question

I have some things going on now and won't be able to attend classes this fall and I surely don't want Uncle Sam hunting me down for his money back. I haven't even registered for classes yet so I don't see why they would penalize me.

Answer 1

As long as you haven't collected any money, you won't have to pay back a dime. The school does an enrollment adjustment, I believe, each month, and reports to the Feds who has used their Pell Grant and how much of it they use.

The actual money (refund check) isn't disbersed to the student until after the start of the semester. The Pell Grant is applied to your student account and goes to tuition and fees first. Typically, most schools will let you charge your books against your account, and the remaining amount is sent to you in a refund check.

The maximum reward for 2008-09 is $4,731, to be divided up throughout the year. If you do 12 credits in the Spring and 12 credits in the summer, then you will get $2365.50 for each semester. Say your tuition is $840.00 and fees are $100, plus your books, say $400, the remaining amount of $1025.50 will be mailed to you after the start of the semester. If you attend less than full time, your Pell amount is reduced to reflect that.

It will still be available for the Spring and Summer semesters even if you decide not to attend in the Fall. You have nothing to worry about. They won't pull it from you because you didn't attend. And hopefully, you can start your classes in the Spring of '09 and use your Pell.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Regardless of whether or not you are obligated, you should pay it back.  Aren't those grants supposed to go to students?  Are you a student?  If not, then do the right thing and return it.

Answer 3

Call the financial aid office at the school you were intending to go and ask if they want the money returned or for you to just keep it for when you go back. They will probably expect it back.