I only got 1/4 of my FAFSA check in the mail, PLEASE help?

They are not dishonest, often times they just don't know what they are talking about. Refunds are a school policy, so you should be able to find it in the handbook, or somewhere on the financial aid website. Waiting until midterms makes sense, so they don't give money to students who drop before then. It is also possible that they just changed it from half to 1/4 and 3/4, and someone didn't get the message, which certainly can happen. Welcome to financial aid!