Can I have a Stafford Loan, meant to cover two semesters, pay for only one semester?

If you are verified for having a 0 EFC

Full TAP for a 0 EFC is $5165 half is $2,582
Full Pell is $5815 half is $2907.5

$5489.5 -3165 = 2324.50

How many years have you attended college in the past? It will affect your over all Pell eligibility (as there is a limited amount of time you can get PELL).

Did you previously attend school in NYS? That will affect your TAP as you are only eligible for 4 years (whether or not you complete a degree)

you will get the balance after any and all mandatory fees (to the school and your program are deducted)

You can check your SAR for your EFC . You can also check HESC if you filed for TAP to get an idea as to how much TAP you are eligible for.