Federal Aid Programs
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
The Federal Work-Study 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.
The FWS program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. Students may work an average of 10 hours per week.
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.gov.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a federally subsidized program. FSEOG is awarded based on exceptional financial need as determined by FAFSA.
Federal Direct Student Loan
A Federal Direct Student Loan is a variable low-interest loan which will help to cover educational cost. There are two types of Direct Student Loans: 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. The FAFSA application is used in making the determination as to whether the student is eligible for a subsidized loan or an unsubsidized loan.
After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. The Federal Government will send you information about repayment.
Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program provides a source of loan funds to the parents of dependent undergraduate students. The student is required to file a FAFSA application. 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.
State Aid Programs
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half-time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee. The TSAA is a state-funded grant program and includes funds from the Tennessee Education Lottery.
To receive priority consideration, students are strongly encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1 each year.
Tennessee Promise Program
The Tennessee Promise Program begins with graduating seniors of the 2015 class. The students must be enrolled in an associate's degree program, complete 8 hours of community service per term, maintain a 2.0 GPA, work with a mentor, and register for full-time enrollment at an eligible institution. This award is a last-dollar scholarship and will pay the tuition and fees that are not covered by the Pell grant, HOPE scholarship, TSAA funds, or tuition waiver/discounts. Students must apply for the program online at www.tennesseepromise.gov by November 1st.
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 (GAMS), Access Grant, and the Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship. In order to be considered for lottery scholarship funds, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by September 1, the deadline date for Fall or February 1, the deadline date for Spring and Summer.
Tennessee Reconnect Grant
This is a last-dollar program given by the state of Tennessee to adult students starting with the Fall 2018 term to assist students in obtaining an Associate’s Degree. Each student must complete a TN Reconnect application, complete a FAFSA, be deemed an independent student on the FAFSA, enroll in a degree (or certificate) program at least part-time (6 semester hours), and participate in a college success program. To maintain eligibility students must maintain continuous enrollment of at least a part-time status and maintain a 2.0 GPA. For the full rules of the TN Reconnect program, please refer to the TN Reconnect website. Students are notified of their TN Reconnect eligibility by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). Based on the official certification roster sent to VSCC the appropriate amount of TN Reconnect funding will be applied to the students' award screen. At that time, an award notification will be emailed to the student through their VSCC email.
