Wanting to get Pell Grant overage

[Ideas]

I'm confused, partly because I changed from my original plans to get the TESU BSBA while capstone is not required. Also, I had apparently previously read something that was outdated or wrong, or rarely done.

I have about $1000 more of exams to take, and then will need $2132 for residency waiver and graduation fee. If I can't use a Pell Grant, I will find a way to raise the money in time, but if it's an option, I would really like to pursue the Grant right away. What should I know about this?

I'd like to do what I've heard of others doing -- apply and take 12 credits at the cheapest community college, so I can have use the rest and cover at least the residency waiver fee. I'm sure this isn't worth the hassle to most students, but it seems worth it to me if I get $1800-2132+ to cover those fees.

But is this still an option for me? I'm just worried that I'm too late. From what I understand, first I would choose the very cheap college and apply and get their "acceptance letter" that nearly everyone gets. Then I fill out everything on the FAFSA site and submit all documentation, etc. Then I wait. I know that Luna is very cheap and their term seems to begin June 5th, so would they be my best choice? Isn't it too late to get the grant money before then? Do I pay upfront and then get reimbursed if the grant comes through?

Or do I have to pick a school with more flexible start dates? Luna does not have many online courses for the summer (June 5th) term. So I figured that I would just pick the easiest 12 credits. There are at least 4 courses that I could pass without studying, but I understand that the classes would probably require quizzes, homework, exam, etc and that I would need to put some effort in to avoid a bad grade. Can they be duplicate courses? For example taking Trig at Luna even though I have ACE credit for Trig at ALEKS, or a duplicate of an old credit?

Don't I have to clear it with TESU before enrolling at Luna? I am unsure if I'm officially enrolled at TESU. I am positive I saw somewhere on their OSS/MyEdison that I have a status of "enrolled", but then there are places in OSS that say not currently an enrolled student. I registered for the May TECEP and I know I will become "enrolled" very soon if I am not already. Don't I have to inform Luna?

Luna has short terms, so then wouldn't I have to take another 12 credits for their Fall term to qualify for the full semester amount?

I don't want to change my TESU BSBA plan (and would also like to get the ASNSM-Biology from them, although I would consider an Associates from elsewhere, especially if the degree wasn't generic sounding). I want to graduate in Dec, meaning finishing everything by end of Sept. If needed, I guess I could delay by 3 months. Would I have my grant check in time to pay in Sept?

Or is this not as simple as I thought? Is there some other aid I should be pursuing instead or in addition? I tried looking for scholarships that I could qualify for, and it seems like they take so long and wouldn't like it being DL. They also seem like a lot of work, essays and paperwork for just a small chance at winning. (Besides the study.com scholarship which I already got.) I don't plan to pursue a loan. I already know about selling stuff, getting a side job, etc