Federal Pell Grant

So I know many of you know what a Pell Grant is but I thought I'd share my experience.

I am a transfer student from CA to Wisconsin. I finished my 1st semester last Christmas and I begin my 2nd semester next week. I had some downtime at work a few weeks ago and the thought came to my mind to apply for a grant... figured it couldn't hurt.

For the question that asked how much money did I make last year I selected the smallest amount. I was expecting for some kind of verification of how much money I made or how much money my parents made and to my surprise... they wasn't any.

I got an email yesterday saying I was awarded $5,550. I went on my school's tuition payment website and the money was directly deposited into my tuition account.

That $5,550 was to pay for 2 semesters, fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. Yes they sent me money for a semester that has already been completed!!!

The tuition for this coming spring was around $4,000 so the extra $1,550 will be mailed to me in the form of a check from the school! She said I can do what ever I want with the money... buy a car, get drunk, buy school books. They don't care. Just be sure to keep a 2.0 or better.

I just got off the phone with the financial aid office to verify that this was NOT a loan and I do NOT need to repay it. I am in complete shock that I just scored that cash!

If you have the time I recommend doing the leg work of getting a grant. Whats the worst that could happen... scoring $5,550?

Coolest story I've heard all day.
Bro.

Go to the KK!!

Just kidding, hit Buck's or Genna's.

Quote from Votey : Coolest story I've heard all day. Bro.

COOL STORY BRAH....with an attachment for proof

Who wants to post a Rhode's Scholar slickdeal?

.....

I don't even....

*sigh*

False reporting of salary is fraud

what happens if they verify income after the fact will you have to pay back if info is is incoorect for income

Quote from aimeeapollo : what happens if they verify income after the fact will you have to pay back if info is is incoorect for income

I asked that question and they said that by me submitting my Social Security # they were able to verify as much info as they needed.

Quote from jbhaldeman : I asked that question and they said that by me submitting my Social Security # they were able to verify as much info as they needed.

Quote from mew24680 : False reporting of salary is fraud

I never said I falsely reported my salary. I really did make that much (or little) amount of money! (under 20K a year)

Quote from jbhaldeman : I never said I falsely reported my salary. I really did make that much (or little) amount of money! (under 20K a year)

How old are you?

Are you claimed as a dependent by your parents?

I don't think OP did anything wrong (apart from posting in the Hot Deals forum). I did the same thing in college. We were pretty poor and I qualified for a PG, got a huge check every semester because the grant was way more than I needed.

Although, yeah, the mention of the parents' income and the implied relief when his own income was not verified seems a little shady. But perhaps we're reading too much into it.