Eligibility Criteria

To receive aid from any of the Federal student aid programs, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree
• Have financial need in order to qualify for need-based aid. Financial need is determined by a standard formula established by Congress to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards set by the Federal Guidelines
• Certify on your FAFSA that you will use Federal student aid only for educational purposes
• Certify on your FAFSA that you are not in default on a Federal student loan and that you do not owe money on a federal student grant
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment status to receive student loans, TSAA, or Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship. Most grants are prorated based on the number of credit hours enrolled.
• Federal financial aid will only apply to classes which are required for the student's program of study.
• Additional eligibility requirements can apply for certain situations.