Questions about Financial Aid(pell&tap grant)?

hi, I'm confused about financial Aid process.
my school financial aid office said, I'm eligible
for both Pell and Tap grant and everything is processing well.
he added, I'll be received the grant when I register classes next semester.

* question 1 : what about the spring semester I already paid my tuition? don't they give the money back to me?
* question 2 : what is Tap grant? I've never heard of this before.
do I have to apply for Tap grant?
* question 3 : I don't quite get it about receiving the money.
if I register the classes (as a full time) next semester, will my school pay the tuition for me? or, they just give me some amount of money and I have to manage on it?
because if my school just pay the tuition for me, I have to
find a part-time job for rent, food and so others ....

so confused ...please help me!

and I'm thinking of changing my major
next semester, will it reduce the amount of the grant?

1. These funds are not usually retroactive meaning they are awarded for the upcoming term not the previous ones. If you have paid for an upcoming term it will be credited to your account.

2. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,000. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back.The TAP funds will be sent to the school, but you do have to apply.

3.Even with both of these grants assisting you, they may not cover all your tuition. The again they might depending on the what tuition is and the amount awarded. I don't know. Generally though they only cover tuition & possibly books. So count on getting a job or taking on a student loan for the other stuff. You will have a clearer picture once you receive a financial aid package from the school, but in order to do that you have to get started on the process.

So first things first. You need to complete the FAFSA. You can do so at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

After submitting your FAFSA, HESC will notify you that you can complete your TAP application online. Then you apply at: https://www.tapweb.org/totw/

Your school will provide you with an finacial aid package. It will tell you how much you have been awarded for the Pell & TAP grants (you can also check the status of you TAP award online). All of the money is sent to the school and credited to your account.