Let’s say Duke offers $30,000 in financial aid and I get a Pell Grant of $5000. Is that $5000 subtracted from the $30,000 in financial aid? Basically, are Pell Grants treated the same as outside scholarships?
https://financialaid.duke.edu/other-sources-aid#outside_scholarships
no
Here is Duke’s policy regarding this issue:
*"In addition to outside scholarships, students may be eligible to receive need-based funding from government agencies. The federal government provides Federal Pell Grants as well as Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Some states, including Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, also often provide funding to college-bound state residents based on financial need. You are expected to apply for all funds for which you may be eligible. If you are eligible for government grants but fail to apply for or accept such funds, Duke is not obligated to cover the resulting shortfall with institutional funds. By filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are automatically considered for the federal grants.
“Federal and state grants are considered to be direct resources meeting a student’s financial need. These grants do not reduce the family contribution.*”