Hi, I am taking my classes all online at PCC, as it is convinient for me and I am a full time student online. I am receiving the Pell Grant which fully pays for my courses. I have talked to the lady who helps with my course schedule and she said I can do these classes fully online through the whole 2 years, enough of this, my question is simple.
I am nervous some classes may not be avaliable in the future (pessimistic me). If I complete a semester, do I have to pay back that Pell Grant if I quit school after that semester?
Say I am in school for 2 semesters, say after the 2nd semester, I decide to quit school (finished the semesters completely, just not the 2 years for the degree) do I have to pay this back, or would I be OK? Thanks
Pell money is disbursed on a semester basis. You will get the money for this semester this semester, and the money for next semester next semester. Provided you do finish the semester, there won’t be anything to pay back (unless the money would be given to you in error but that is a whole different thing).
While,there has been some discussion about paying back Pell grants if folks don’t actually graduate…this is not yet the case.
Your Pell will only be disbursed to your college by the term. Just don’t drop courses during the term.
Ok so if I am to understand correctly. If I quit school after completing the semester(s) I do not have to pay the Pell back, even since I am not graduating?
Also when do you think that will come in effect? Years from now? I just want to make sure I am in the clear, this is giving me severe stress.
The Pell is grant money. You never have to pay it back. If you have a student loan, that is different. You need to start paying them back a few months after you stop studying.
@happymomof1 I understand that, but I know you have to pay them back if you drop a semester early. But if you drop a semester after completion (without graduating) you still dont have to pay it back?
If you complete the courses in your semester…you do not have to pay the Pell Grant back.
@happymomof1 in the current education budget talks regarding higher education…there has been some discussion about having Pell recipients pay back the grant IF they don’t graduate.
This is NOT currently the case, and hopefully it won’t gain any traction.
@thumper1 Ok I see. If it does gain traction, how long do you think it will take to go through, years? I just want to make sure I am good. Thanks for answering my questions so fast 
Don’t worry about it now.
@thumper1 Ok, hopefully its not for a while lol. Just curious if you have a clue
No, it doesn’t take years to pass legislation. It could be passed and go into effect by the fall. Or it may not be passed at all.
I think you need to focus on planning to complete your education. What are you majoring in? If your college decides not to offer one of the classes you need, you’d have to make other plans. Is the cc you’re attending close enough for you to commute if they no longer offer online courses? If not, is there one that is?
@thumper1 - Thanks for catching me up on that. I remember seeing something about it in the press, but I had forgotten all about it. Do hope the legislation doesn’t pass!
I wouldn’t worry about it. You never know what Congress will do about anything, but I seriously doubt this idea ever goes anywhere. It’s just one of the many half baked ideas that someone floated out there to try to show he isn’t wasting taxpayer money.