No defined disbursement date for pell grants? Is that legal?

Question

I am attending WGU, an online university, and my term started August 1. I have not received my pell grant, and financial aid office which was previously estimating disbursement of pell grant funds at 4-6 weeks after the first day of the term is now saying they have no defined disbursement date, as a change in computer software has caused system problems regarding pell grant disbursement. I would like to be able to purchase textbooks, plan for being able to pay my bills, etc. I am now wondering when and if I will receive my pell. Are there legal requirements for universities regarding disbursement of pell grant funds? What can I do and where can I find more information?

Answer 1

I attend a regular University and After 2 years of attending I know that loan disbursements dates usually take awhile.

Although I have no idea how Online University Financial Aid works, I'd imagine it's similar to a Regular University.

So, don't bank on a Refund Check coming right away. It takes a while:

For example, This is my first week back to classes. I received my Financial Aid Award letters on Aug 1st, but the loans do not disburse until Mid October.   I just talked to the Finan Aid office for my school and for the first time ever I had a remaining balance of $300 dollars after my Loans were awarded. So if I was to wait for a refund check I wouldn't receive it until the first week of November. However, the Accounts office issued me a "Book Voucher" which allows me to go to our bookstore and purchase my books up to the amount of $300 in lieu of receiving a check.

Hopefully that helped you out...