College Life: When a Federal Student Grant (Pell) Must Be Repaid

Son recently received a letter from Wheaton College (Illinois). 

He had to repay his Federal Pell Grant!! 

    😮😕😧😯😐😑😮

With all the political-talk about student debt forgiveness, what the heck was this?!!

Pell Grants do not ever need to be repaid by a college student.  However, there are a few exceptions (there may be others):

When You May Have to Repay a Grant

Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant:

• You withdrew early from the program for which the grant was given to you.

• Your enrollment status changed in a way that reduced your eligibility for your grant (for instance, if you switch from full-time enrollment to part-time, your grant amount will be reduced).

• You received outside scholarships or grants that reduced your need for federal student aid.

• You received a TEACH Grant, but you did not meet the requirements of your TEACH Grant service obligation.

Yep, my dear son fell in one of the few cracks regarding this federal grant and was obligated to repay it in full.  I am proud to say that he did it within a few days -- with tears in his eyes, certainly,  but with determination to work harder than ever.  His small treasure trove of hard-earned cash got lessened by 2K, but our estimation of his maturity as a man increased tenfold. I am so very proud of you, my beloved boy ❤💙❤💚  (Repost from May 2021)

This phone call from another college student made me angry 😠 😖 

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Proverbs 11

Federal Student Aid

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