Graduate Student Financial Aid
As a graduate student at Tennessee Tech, you may qualify for financial aid. To see what you qualify for, you must fill out the FAFSA application as soon as it becomes available on October 1st of each year.
Enrollment Requirements
For a graduate student to utilize financial aid offered through the FAFSA application, they must enroll in at least 5 graduate-level hours that count towards their Course Program of Study (CPoS) per semester. In general, a graduate student is considered full time at 9 or more graduate level hours, three-quarter time at 6-8 graduate level hours, and half-time at 5 graduate level hours.
FAFSA Aid Offers
The majority of graduate students that are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are only eligible for graduate-level unsubsidized loans through the FAFSA application, although it is possible for a graduate student to qualify for Federal Work Study, as determined by their Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA.
In addition to graduate unsubsidized loans, graduates can apply for Grad PLUS Loans through Tennessee Tech's Financial Aid Office, which can help pay for educational expenses. To apply for a Grad PLUS Loan, you must complete and submit your FAFSA.
Graduate Assistantships
Multiple departments on campus offer Assistantships to their graduate level students. If awarded an assistantship, your tuition and fees will be paid for and you will receive a monthly stipend to work for your department. Graduate students can learn more about and apply for assistantships through the College of Graduate Studies. If you are interested in applying for an assistantship, apply early, and do not wait to be formally admitted before doing so!
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
For those pursuing a Master's degree in Education, The Department of Education's Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program (TLF) offers forgiveness options for those who teach full time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency and meet other qualifications. You can learn about about the TLF and its eligibility requirements here.
Have questions? Don't worry, we are here to help! Both the Financial Aid Office and the College of Graduate Studies are ready and willing to assist you! If you have any questions about graduate aid opportunities or applying, please consult the Graduate Studies website or email us!
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