Can financial aid such as Pell Grant still be awarded if you choose to study abroad independently?

My question is if he is looking for Pell to offset the cost and his loan, where is the other 10K coming from?

What are you taking for your year long study abroad? At this point in time, it would probably have to be directed to your major. Op is finished or close to finishing, it is highly unlikely that he will be able to do the study abroad at his CC for those credits to be required for his degree program.