Attending college is a big commitment of time and money. In this financial overview page, you will find information about:
- estimating the cost of tuition,
- several sources of financial aid,
- submitting verification for in-state tuition rates, and
- how you will get your Vol State bill and when it is due.
Estimating the Cost of Tuition at Vol State
Information regarding Vol State’s Tuition and Fees is available on the college’s website. Tuition and Fees are set each year by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Tuition and fees are charged per credit hour and are based on confirmed state residency. Tuition and fees are direct costs but a student may incur indirect costs that are not charged by the college. These indirect costs include books, supplies, living expenses and transportation. Financial Aid can apply to both direct and indirect costs as described below. The information provided is an estimate. Actual costs and aid eligibility may vary depending on course selection and your individual circumstances.
Student Aid & Scholarships
Federal and State Aid
The first step in deciding how to pay for college is to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for the intended school year (academic year). Even if you do not plan to take federal student loans, the FAFSA is required for all federal and state aid such as the Federal PELL grant. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Every Vol Student is recommended to apply for aid by completing the FAFSA.
Another source of funding for college is from the state of Tennessee. TN Promise and TN Reconnect are great options for qualified students. TN Promise is for students attending college right after high school, and TN Reconnect is for adult students wanting to return to finish a degree program or complete a credential to help advance in the workplace. Visit the websites for TN Promise or TN Reconnect for more details. Additional state funding options include the TN HOPE (TN Lottery) Scholarship and the TN student assistance award. TN HOPE is for students attending college right out of high school and the TN Student Assistance Award (TSAA) is available to students who are Pell eligible and based on FAFSA filing date.
Scholarships
Scholarships are another option to help with college expenses. There are many different scholarships available. Check the Volunteer State Foundation website for more information on scholarships offered by the College. In addition to scholarships offered by the College Foundation, many employers, churches, or civic organizations offer scholarships or tuition reimbursement programs as well. It is a good idea to explore those options.
If you have questions about available options for financial aid or the applications or process, contact our Financial Aid Office.
In-State and Out-of-State Tuition Fees
You may see a charge for Out-of-State tuition on your bill. All students must provide documentation of in-state residency to the Vol State Admissions Office to receive the in-state tuition rates. Once you have provided the required documentation, any out-of-state tuition charges will be removed. This can make a significant difference in the amount you owe the College. Review the list of acceptable residency documents. If you use your driver’s license, you only need to submit a picture of the front side. You can email your document to admissions@volstate.edu, or bring it in person to the Admissions Office on any Vol State campus.
Billing and Due Dates
All fees are payable at the time of registration each semester unless otherwise noted in the academic calendar. The fee due date will be about 10 days before the start of the semester. If you register after the due date, fees are due the same day of registration. Students registering before the due date will receive a weekly ebill notification. This notification shows the amount due and the due date. The ebill is sent to your Vol State student email account. Registration at the beginning of each term is incomplete until all fees are paid, and you cannot be admitted to classes if you have not settled your bill. If your fees are not paid by the due date, you may be removed (de-scheduled) from your courses. The College makes every attempt to notify you before you are removed for non-payment. However, it is your responsibility to ensure your financial aid is complete, you have signed up for a deferred payment plan, or you have made the required out-of-pocket payment.
If you are removed (de-scheduled) from your courses for non-payment of fees, you may be required to obtain instructor permission prior to re-enrolling, and you must satisfy your debt to the school prior to re-enrollment. Additionally, there is no guarantee that space will be available in any course from which you were removed.
Financial Responsibility
If you have an outstanding balance with the College, you may not be allowed to enroll in future semesters, graduate, or receive a transcript until your balance has been paid. If you decide not to take classes after registering, you are responsible for notifying the College and withdrawing from your courses. Non-attendance does not automatically result in being withdrawn.
