How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid

 

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before specified deadline. Your completed FAFSA and signatures may be submitted in the pen/paper format or electronically on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you apply electronically, your signature page at the end of the application must be printed and mailed to the central processing center, unless you have a pin number.

 

  • Approximately 4-6 weeks after you have submitted the required application and signatures, the Department of Education will send a Student Aid Report to your home address.
  • The Department of Education will automatically transmit your FAFSA information to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) in Nashville.  TSAC administers the TN Student Assistance Award (TSAA) and Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.  May 1 is the priority application date for State programs.  TSAC will notify you by letter to your home address of any possible award(s) you may receive for TSAA.
  • Bring your Student Aid Report and any letters from TSAC to the Student Services Office for completion of your financial aid package.  If required, the Student Services Office will send you additional paperwork to complete, as well as information concerning documentation you may need to provide. Applications with reported household income under $5K will also be reviewed.
  • When all paperwork is completed by Student Services Office, you will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter for your records.  Your Letter will include award amounts by term from all funding sources.  If you are seeking additional funding from other agencies (WIA, Vocational Rehabilitation) you may need to provide them with a copy of your Financial Aid Award Letter.
  • During your first enrollment term, the Financial Aid Award Letter may be adjusted to reflect actual enrollment hours.

IMPORTANT: You must reapply for financial aid annually, ideally during the first three months of the calendar year (Jan-March). You should complete each year’s tax return as soon as possible so that this timeframe can be met.

 

Eligibility for most financial aid is based on the financial needs of the student and/or parents.  To maintain eligibility, students must achieve academic progress, and have satisfactory attendance.