Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for Financial Aid

1. How do I Apply for financial aid?
2. What is PIN for financial aid?
3. Filing using FAFSA on the WEB is much faster.
4. When should I apply for financial aid?
5. Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
6. What are the general eligibility criteria for financial aid?
7. What is an eligible program for financial aid?
8. How do I select an eligible program for financial aid?
9. I am considering going to school part-time. Am I eligible for financial aid if I am enrolled at half-time status?
10. What is the difference between cash support and in-kind support?
11. I am not sure if I want to accept a work-study position. What should I enter for this question on the FAFSA?

Lottery Information

1. Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS)

Veterans Information

1. If I am in the National Guard or am an active duty military member, am I considered a veteran for purposes of completing the FAFSA?

Living Arrangements

1. If I live with an aunt, uncle or grandparent, should that relative’s income be reported instead of parental information?
2. What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?
3. I am now a citizen but I still have my Alien Registration number. How should I respond on the FAFSA?
4. I am going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I’m married?
5. If I am an emancipated minor, am I considered independent on the financial aid form?
6. My parents are divorced. Whose information do I need for the FAFSA?
7. I don’t get along with my parents and live with friends. I pay my own rent and other bills. Can I apply without my parents income?
8. My mother and stepfather are completing the FAFSA. Should I provide my father’s or stepfather’s information (SSN and income info) on the FAFSA?
9. I am an independent student. I am separated but filed a joint tax return. How should income information be reported?
10. Who qualifies to be counted in the number in college?

Continued Eligibilty for Financial Aid

1. What if I had an unusual circumstance that prevented me from meeting the College’s standards for satisfactory academic progress for financial aid?
2. I received "F" and "W" grades this semester. Will this effect my financial aid eligibility?
3. For what reasons might I lose my Financial Aid eligibility?
4. Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
5. What is the Satisfactory Progress Standard?
6. What is Financial Aid Refund and Repayment Policy?
7. Where do I find the forms I need to complete?

Financial Aid Disbursements

1. When will I receive my financial aid money?
2. Will financial aid HOLD my course enrollments?
3. What happens if I want to DROP a course before the last day to add/drop?
4. What happens if I withdraw from ALL of my courses?
5. What happens if I never attend some of my courses?
6. Is financial aid available to pay for my books at the bookstore?