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Federal & State Financial Aid Programs

VSCC FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Office Hours - Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
230-3456 or 1-888-335-8722 ext. 3456
Fax Number - (615) 230-3487
email address: financialaid@volstate.edu

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program based on need as determined by FAFSA. The amount of the actual grant is based upon family contribution as determined by the federal government. You may apply for federal aid on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally subsidized program, whereby direct gift aid is awarded to undergraduate students with the lowest EFC and as determined by the FAFSA. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded as a part of the student financial award package.

Federal Stafford Loans

A Federal Stafford Loan is a variable low-interest loan made to students by a lender such as a bank, credit union or savings and loan association to help pay for their educational costs. These loans come in two types:

Subsidized
The government pays the interest while the student is in school, deferment, and grace period.
Unsubsidized
The student pays the interest while in school, deferment, and grace period.

Loan repayments begin six months after the student leaves school. The lender generally must allow students at least five years to repay their loan, and may allow up to ten years. Students are considered to have left school if their enrollment status falls below half-time (6 credit hours).

Annual Loan Limits Per Academic Year

  • Freshman - $3,500.00
  • Sophomore - $4,500.00

In order to apply for a student loan, you must first submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal PLUS Loan Program

The Federal PLUS Loan Program provides a source of loan funds to the parents of dependent undergraduate students. Plus borrowers are required to file the Free Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA). Parents can borrow up to the cost of education minus other financial aid for the student. The interest rate on PLUS loans is at a variable rate not to exceed 9%. Repayment on both principal and interest begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. There is no grace period for these loans. Interest will begin to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is a federally funded program to provide funds for the employment of students who demonstrate need as determined by FAFSA. To participate in this program, students must be accepted for admission to VSCC and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Students who qualify for the work-study program may be awarded up to 20 hours of work per week during the academic year and up to 37.5 hours of work per week during holiday or vacation periods. The average work load will be 10 hours or less per week and will be a part of their financial aid package.

Part-time employment is available on the campus in such areas as the library, laboratories, maintenance department, and faculty and administration offices.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

Designed to provide financial assistance to students who complete a rigorous high school program of study. Students meeting the program requirements (as defined by the State of TN) must also be eligible to receive a Pell Grant award. The ACG grants are available for the first two years of study.

Tennessee Student Assistance Awards

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) Program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1976. The purpose of the program is to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee and are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at an eligible post secondary educational institution in Tennessee. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and complete a FAFSA application to be considered for the TSAA award.

Maximum award amounts are determined by the TSAC Board of Directors prior to the beginning of the fall term. No student will receive an award greater than the amount of tuition and mandatory fees assessed by the institution attended.

In order to apply for the state grant, you must complete a FAFSA application prior to March 1 for the upcoming fall term.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program

The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program is intended to provide scholarship funds to offset costs associated with pursuing postsecondary education. The Lottery Scholarship program includes the HOPE Scholarship, Aspire Award, General Assembly Merit Scholarship, Tennessee Hope Access Grant and the Non-Traditional Hope Scholarship.

General eligibility requirements for each program include:

HOPE Scholarship
Applicants must submit a FAFSA, have an ACT Composite of at least 21 or a weighted high school GPA of at least 3.0 and graduate from a Tennessee High School OR have a GED score of at least 525 and an ACT Composite of at least 21. Home school students must have a 21 ACT Composite to be considered.
Aspire Award
Applicants must meet the general eligibility requirements for HOPE and the parents' or independent student's and spouse's adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form for the appropriate year.
General Assembly Merit Scholarship
Applicants must submit a FAFSA each academic year. Entering freshmen graduating from eligible public or category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools must have at least a final cumulative 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT composite/1280 SAT on a national test date. Home school and non-category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools must, during the course of the home school program or while attending high school, enroll in at least 4 courses totaling at least 12 semester hours and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at an eligible postsecondary institution. Students may receive Aspire or GAMS, but not both.
Tennessee Hope Access Grant
Applicants must submit a FAFSA each academic year. Entering freshmen graduating from eligible public or category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools must have at least a final cumulative 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT composite/1280 SAT on a national test date. Home school and non-category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools must, during the course of the home school program or while attending high school, enroll in at least 4 courses totaling at least 12 semester hours and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at an eligible postsecondary institution. Students may receive Aspire or GAMS, but not both.
Non-Traditional Hope Scholarship

The Tennessee Lottery offers a scholarship for the adult learner. In order to be considered, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be age 25 or older and enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution as an entering freshman or have not been enrolled for at least two (2) years after last attending any postsecondary institution and not earned a baccalaureate degree
  • The adjusted gross income attributable to the student must be no more than $36,000 per year
  • Be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined by the College or University
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after attempting 12 semester hours
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the September 1, deadline date for Fall and February 1, deadline date for Spring and Summer

Contact the Volunteer State Community College Financial Aid Office if you feel that you meet these requirements and they will evaluate your eligibility for the Non-Traditional Hope Scholarship.

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Renewal Criteria

Eligibility shall be reviewed at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of 24, 48, 72, 96 or any subsequent multiple of 24 semester hours. Additional, at 72 attempted hours and beyond, students may be reviewed at the end of each semester if they maintain the award on a provisional basis, contact the Financial Aid Office for details.

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours. After attempting 72 hours and beyond a student may retain the award by either:
    1. Achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, or
    2. Achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99 AND a semester GPA of at least 3.0 in the preceding term for which the student will receive the award as a full-time enrolled student
  • Must maintain satisfactory academic progress AND continuous enrollment
  • Scholarship is terminated after attainment of baccalaureate degree OR 5 years have passed from initial enrollment – whichever occurs first
  • Be enrolled in at least 6 hours; 12 hours if eligible on the provisional basis

Helping Heroes Grant

This grant is funded by the Tennessee Lottery Scholarship Program. It is awarded on a first-come-first-served basis with a limit of 375 awards made per semester. The Helping Heroes Grant is designed to serve former members of the armed forces, reserve or National Guard who were called into active duty and have met the following general criteria:

  • Received an honorable discharge and has been awarded The Iraq Campaign Medal, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal or after 9/11/01, received The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • Be a Tennessee resident 1 year prior to application deadline
  • Be admitted to and enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution
  • Must not have receive a baccalaureate degree
  • Complete the Helping Heroes Grant Application
  • Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.

HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

The Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program provides resources specifically to meet the education and training needs of youth aging out of foster care. This award along with all other available financial aid sources shall be applied towards the student cost of attendance before utilizing awards offered through the HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant. Students must be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Access Grant and have been in the custody of the Department of Children Services for at least 1 year after their 14th birthday in order to be considered for this grant. TSAC will work with the Department of Children’s Services to identify recipients.

The Lottery Scholarship requirements are subject to change each July 1, pending legislative ruling.

Appeal Policy

If a student is deemed ineligible for TELS funding at Volunteer State Community College, they may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Student Services with documentation of their extenuating circumstances. The Vice President for Student Services will review the documentation and rule on the continuance of the TELS funding.

Student may appeal the Vice President for Student Services' ruling to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation's Executive Director for final ruling.

PC 191 Fee Waiver

Employees of any TBR or UT system schools are eligible to enroll in one credit class per term using the PC191 fee waiver. The eligible employee must complete a fee waiver application with their personnel office each semester. The fee waiver form should be forwarded to the VSCC Financial Aid Office prior to registration or no later than 10 days after the term begins.

TBR Employee Dependents (Children or Spouse Discount)

The dependent children (under the age of 26) or spouses of employees of TBR or UT schools are eligible to receive a 50% discount toward maintenance fees each semester. The eligible employee must complete and submit a new discount form for their dependent child or spouse each semester prior to registration or no later than 10 days after the term begins.

Public School Teacher/State Employee Dependent Discount

Dependent children (under the age of 24) of a certified public school teacher or a full-time State employee are eligible to receive a 25% discount toward maintenance fees each semester. The eligible employee must complete and submit a new discount form for their dependent child each semester prior to registration or no later than 10 days after the term begins.

State Employee Fee Waiver

Eligible employees of the Tennessee State Government may enroll in one class per term. This is called a fee waiver. The eligible state employees should obtain the necessary paperwork from their personnel office and forward it to VSCC prior to registration or no later than 10 days after the term begins.