<p>My fafsa just approved and said efc=0 and that the pell Grant would give me $5,730. How much of that will they give me per semester? And if they give me for example like $500 and I only use $400 do I get to spend the $100 on what I want?</p>
<p>Your Pell Grant will be divided in half. You will get half for the first semester, and half for the second semester.</p>
<p>The Pell will be disbursed to your college. It will be used to pay the costs the college bills to you (tuition, fees, room, board). You would only get a refund if there is any money leftover after the school is paid.</p>
<p>To be clear…the FAFSA gives you nothing. It is a financial aid application form only. The money will be disbursed to your college by the federal government. It will be credited to your account first.</p>
<p>You will also be eligible for a $5500 Direct Loan.</p>
<p>Unless you have some huge scholarship that is covering your tuition and fees, I don’t think you will be getting a refund. College costs a lot more than the Pell grant.</p>
<p>I don’t believe that you’ll get money for books and things unless you are in a special program at the college. My college has an EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) that pays for books and other incidentals. Other schools might let you have the meal plan for free.</p>
<p>If your family is very cash-strapped, and no tuition or fees still leaves you with a few thousand dollars to live for each semester, you need to contact the college ASAP and talk to them about it. Sadly, a lot of kids where I teach have to work to pay for books and food, and go to school full-time.</p>
<p>What are the costs of your college?</p>
<p>Rhandco…if this student does receive a refund from his college after the billable costs are paid, he CAN use that money any way he chooses…for books, food, personal,expenses…anything.</p>
<p>But before he gets a refund, the billable,costs will be paid.</p>