Financial Aid

Complete a FAFSA

 

 

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the first step toward receiving federal aid for college, career school, or graduate school.

To apply for federal student aid, you must complete the FAFSA® every year you are enrolled or plan on enrolling.

We have provided several recommended videos created by the Department of Education that give a great overview of the FAFSA.

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School Code

Tennessee Tech's School Code for your FAFSA is 003523.

If you are interested in submitting your FAFSA to Tennessee Tech, make sure to enter the above code when prompted in the application!

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GO TO THE FAFSA WEBSITE ACCESS A PAPER COPY OF THE FAFSA

Tax Return Transcript from the IRS

Beginning with the 2024-2025 FAFSA,  all contributors (parents and students) for the FAFSA will be prompted to provide approval and consent for their Federal Tax Information to be imported using the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX). If the FADDX process fails when completing the FAFSA, you need to provide us with a copy of an IRS Tax Return Transcript. Learn more about how the IRS can help you on their website.

Beware of Scams

Students and parents should be aware of financial aid scams that take place throughout the year. A family should be extremely wary of any company that charges money in order to process a financial aid application for you. Remember that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a FREE application. Neither the US Department of Education nor Tennessee Technological University works with any company or organization that would require a family to pay to apply for federal financial aid.

Learn more information about Financial Aid Scams (and how to avoid them) by visiting TDCI: Don’t Fall Victim to Scholarship & Student Loan Scams (tn.gov)

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After Filing a FAFSA

Once your FAFSA is filed and processed, you'll be able to access your FAFSA Submission Summary on studentaid.gov. Additionally, upon reviewing your FAFSA, the government may pull you for verification, which involves submitting additional requirements to complete the FAFSA process. You can learn more about your FAFSA Submission Summary and the verification process below. 

Your FAFSA Submission Summary

Shortly after you have filed your FAFSA, you should receive an electronic response from the FAFSA processing center to view your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). Your FSS provides you basic information concerning your eligibility for federal student aid and also lists your answers to questions on the FAFSA. Once available, it is very important that you review your Submission Summary carefully and confirm that all information listed is correct.

Your FSS will also include a number called the SAI, or Student Aid Index. Based on a federal formula, the SAI is the amount of support the federal government expects you to contribute toward your educational expenses. The SAI is listed on the first page of your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).

Our office reviews an electronic version of your FAFSA Submission Summary to determine if additional or supplementary information is needed. If additional information is required, our Financial Aid Office will contact you via your Tennessee Tech email account requesting the required documentation. Please respond promptly to all requests. Any unsatisfied aid requirements are posted in the Financial Aid - Eligibility section of your Eagle Online account.

Remember, financial aid cannot be awarded or paid to your student account unless all requested information and documentation has been submitted and reviewed by the Financial Aid Office.

FAFSA Verification

If you are selected for FAFSA verification, do not be alarmed. Verification is a process by which the federal government randomly asks students and their parents for some additional information to check the accuracy of FAFSA information. If you are selected for verification, Tennessee Tech is required to collect the required documentation and complete the verification process with you before any financial aid can be awarded.

If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will receive an email notification sent to your Tennessee Tech email account instructing you to review your missing requirements. Please respond promptly to all requests for information. You cannot be awarded financial aid until the verification process has been completed.

How will I know if I have been selected for verification?
If you are selected for verification, you will be notified via Tennessee Tech email directing you to your Eagle Online account to review instructions and a list of the documents required. It is very important that you check your Tennessee Tech email account regularly, and that you periodically log in to your Eagle Online account and check the Financial Aid Eligibility and the Financial Aid Status pages for any unsatisfied requirements and/or requirement messages.

If selected for verification, what do I need to do? 
If you are selected for verification, the notification you receive via Tennessee Tech email will direct you to your Eagle Online account to review instructions and a list of the documents that must be submitted before financial aid can be awarded.

Verification Opt-Out: If you have been selected for verification but only wish to receive the Tennessee Lottery Hope Scholarship (and Merit Supplement, if eligible), you may visit or email the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@tntech.edu with your name and T-number and request to opt-out of verification. We will review and award your Lottery Scholarships depending on your eligibility. Please note that you will not be eligible for any other types of aid unless you complete verification, which includes the Tennessee Lottery Aspire Scholarship.

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Questions?

We know that filing the FAFSA or being selected for verification can be stressful and time consuming as you work to gather and submit all the required documentation. If you need help with questions or in navigating the process, you may contact our office by emailing financialaid@tntech.edu with your specific questions.