Jeanski
Buffalo,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, October 11, 2011
Like many things in life, financial aid is all about the timing. Addressing you last issue first, the UofP won't release your Pell Grant because you're not enrolled.
It generally works like this: student enrolls and applies for aid. Grants are usually applied first, then remaining tuition can be paid for through student loans or out of pocket. However, most, if not all, of your aid is determined by enrollment status (full time versus part time) and term dates. Because the UofP runs on accelerated terms, it's difficult for me to determine just how your aid was applied and disbursed. They should be able to give you an award letter that describes this information. At a typical college, aid is determined for the academic year and assumes full time enrollment. So in August a student would be given an award letter that says "For the Fall semester you were awarded X in grants, and you're eligible for X in loans. Your tuition is Y." If tution exceeds aid you pay the difference. If not, the excess aid is refunded (or you just don't take so much in loans). It generally includes the Spring semester as well.
Again, because UofP runs on a different calendar than the typical college their enrollment dates and how they disburse excess funds is probably different. The key is to get your award letter and review it against your own records of when you were enrolled, and what tuition you paid.
Good luck!