HI, I am deciding to go to Portland Community College, and I have a quick question about it. If I do accept the Financial Aid reward, like the pell grant, am I obligated to go and sign for classes? Or if I have second thoughts, do you think it would be ok to withdraw from the school and call them? Would I have to pay anything back? I called them and they were a little confusing. Thanks
You would likely have to pay the Pell back if you get it and don’t actually enroll …or if you enroll and drop the classes quickly.
Why are you asking?
If your considering going to a different college I wouldn’t sign up for the CC you mentioned above, because I’m not sure if you can ask for the money from the grant back once you’ve enrolled in classes at the college. If you’re not planning on going to college at all then you just lose the grant since that money was given to you for the intention of you going to college.
The Pell is a federal entitlement grant. Your info is wrong.
If the student doesn’t enroll in college 1, he can get that grant for college 2.
What he can’t do is get the grant for college 1, and also for college 2 in the same term.
But yes…if he ends up not being a student at all, he will need to repay the grant if received. If he never enrolled, he can’t get the grant.
But really… the Pell will be disbursed to the COLLEGE…for college costs. The student would only see this money if it comes as a refund because his aid exceeds the billable cost.
@thumper1 sorry if my explanation was worded poorly. I tried to explain it as you did but I think I just made it more confusing. Thanks for clearing up any issues
Well I am doing online courses, but I am just very over worried I can’t do them all even though I have it all sorted out. Anyways what I am trying to say is, if I accept the grant, but it ends up I can’t go, will I be able to get the grant refunded and not have to pay it back? I know you can get refunds if you drop classes within the first two weeks. Sorry if this is confusing but I am very anxious.
Or say, I accept it and I end up not enrolling, do I have to pay it back since I didn’t use any? Can I just send the money back say?
The problem is that the school will have already paid for your classes before any money is refunded to yo. Since the school will have to pay back the federal government, you will have to repay the school.
If you have doubts about attending, simply do not enroll. If takes a lot of discipline and intrinsic motivation to do on-line classes. in addition it can be very isolating. Maybe you would be better served going to a brick and mortar building so that you can easily have more support on hand should you need it.
I would like to but I am staying out of country for a little while, so my option right now is to do online courses because the cost to be a student in another country is high. Also, say I accept it and don’t enroll in any classes? Would I be ok with just calling the school and telling them to cancel that? thanks
School is not going anywhere, wait until you return. Right now you may not eligible for resident tuition because you don’t have a physical presence in Oregon.
I am actually from california and they offer in state tuition to there, as my permanent residency lies in california still they said i can get the resident tuition. I am just curious as to if i can accept it now, then if i cant do the classes, withdraw it all.
You should actually speak with someone at your school. If you have any concerns whether or not you can do these classes it is best not to register. Registering for and then dropping classes can affect your standing for academic satisfactory progress and can prevent you from getting aid in the future.
Ok, when I contacted the school before they seem very lackluster on information, and keep redirecting me to other people who don’t know either. I will try again hopefully I can get more helpful people.
Simply put…if you don’t attend the school…and they have received Pell money for you…you will be required to pay the school back.
If you withdraw from the class before a certain date…you will be required to pay the school back.
If you drop a course and your enrollment goes from full time to half time…or half time to less…you will be required to pay back the overage you received…which you were not entitled to.
And mostly…if you enroll in courses…and drop them, your ability to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will be jeopardized…and if you don’t meet SAP, you won’t be eligible to,receive financial aid in subsequent terms.
You need to have a plan BEFORE you start the term…if you even choose to do so. Changing direction once the term begins will be very risky business.
Also…keep in mind…you can only get the Pell Grant for 12 semesters total. So…you don’t want to waste it on courses you intend to drop…or won’t pass…or whatever.
I’m with @sybbie719 . It sounds like college can wait…you just don’t have a good plan for,the upcoming year.
I have already contacted all of the teachers for the courses I plan to take. I really would like to take the courses. They said I would be able to fully fulfill all requirements online. I was just had a weird question about financial aid which was just as a precaution, but I do have everything planned out, a academic schedule, and complete knowledge of what I want to take for the next two years. I am sorry if the question was confusing, Thanks for the help 
Sorry again!