Hey everybody, I just wanted to include first that I am a U.S. Armed Services Veteran and I use the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill to attend school.
So I attended a Community College in the Fall of 2017, receiving the Pell grant at a total of $2960.00. Apparently the school had an issue with my Pell Grant and sent me a message right before classes had begun, but I do not remember this message.
My school received my VA Contract fee covering the whole Fall semester, and the Pell Grant, being a surplus of $2960.00, was sent to me via a check. I passed all my courses, transferred to a 4 year University which I am about to enter my second semester at, and now I am hit with a bill of $2284.91 by my previous school because my Pell Grant was taken away a month after I completed my studies in January of 2018; There was no hold placed on my community college account until a month before I started at my new University, and I did not find out until I was almost done my first semester there.
My questions concerning this are:
-What are the penalties of me not paying this money back to the school?
-Will I have issues with FAFSA in the future such as being refused or having it taken back again, even though I have had no issues since last Fall?
I do understand that I should pay this money back based on principle, but I do not have that kind of money laying around currently, and I am frustrated with the school which should have placed a hold on my account if there was any discrepancy BEFORE they gave me my final grades and transcripts.
I really appreciate the help as I am trying to do the right thing as well what is best for me and my family. If anyone needs more information or clarification, other than personal, I will be happy to give it!
Thanks and I look forward to hearing back.