Grants are funds that are provided by federal and state agencies. Grants do not have to be repaid. The FAFSA must be completed to receive these grants. This can be done online at studentaid.gov
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are automatically awarded by the federal government to those students who are found eligible after completing the FAFSA. The amount is determined according to eligibility and the number of hours in which you are enrolled. Pell Grants are not available to students who have already completed a Bachelor's degree. The maximum is $6,095 per year.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The SEOG is a federal grant administered by the University. This grant is only awarded to undergraduate students. Students will need to complete the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible to determine eligibility. Financial awards are given out on a first-come, first served basis. Students who are eligible for Pell Grant have first priority for the SEOG. The amount is subject to change based on the availability of funds.
Federal TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant was established to benefit current and prospective teachers. Students must be currently completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching. The academic requirements are that the student has to have at least a 3.25 GPA for each payment period (each semester) or have a score above the 75th percentile on an admissions test, such as the ACT. The award amount is up to $4,000 per academic year. Aggregate amounts are $16,000 for undergraduates and $8,000 for graduate students. The student must teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of completing the degree program as a highly qualified teacher, at a Title I school, and in a specified subject area. If service is not met, the grant must be repaid as an Unsubsidized Direct Student Loan, with interest from the date(s) of original disbursement. Students are considered for this grant by marking that they are interested in teaching or education while filling out the FAFSA. Please complete the online Federal TEACH Grant Request form to check your eligibility.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA - TN Grant)
This state grant provides financial assistance to financially needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee and are enrolled at least half-time at a public or private institution in Tennessee. Based on funding, first priority is given to US citizens. The amount per year is $4,000 for full-time students. No student will receive an award greater than the amount of tuition and fees assessed by the institution. Eligibility is determined in the same manner as the eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the FAFSA and have it processed as soon after October 1 as possible for the upcoming fall term. We highly recommend applying early because these funds are limited (first-come, first-served).