Financial Aid
Grants
A grant is a type of financial aid that is "free money." It does not have to be repaid. There are two basic types of grants: federal and State of Tennessee grants. Unlike scholarships, they are typically awarded based on financial need rather than on demonstrated academic achievement. Eligibility for both types of grants is based on the results of the Student Aid Report, determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is funded by the US federal government and does not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant may only be awarded to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor's degree.
Award amounts vary based on a student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) resulting from the 2023-2024 FAFSA or on student's Student Aid Index (SAI) resulting from the 2024-2025 FAFSA and the student’s enrollment status. Awards will be adjusted if the student is not enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours). The Federal Pell Grant may be available in the summer semester. Please submit the summer application that becomes available online each year shortly after the Tennessee Tech spring break (TTU Master Calendar).
Eligible students may receive the Federal Pell Grant until the completion of the bachelor’s degree OR until the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of the grant. For more information about the Federal Pell Grant, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The SEOG Grant is a federal award that does not have to be repaid. SEOG is a grant funded by the US federal government for undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need. The amount of SEOG funds is limited. Priority is given to students who receive maximum Federal Pell Grants (zero EFC for 2023-2024 or -1500 to zero SAI for 2024-2025), and it is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis (based on when you submit your FAFSA and all other requirements are completed). Please be aware of when the FAFSA opens each year!
Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, the average FSEOG award at Tennessee Tech is $1000 per academic year.
There is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able to receive a SEOG award. For more information about the SEOG, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Federal TEACH Grant / Loan Program
The Federal TEACH Grant / Loan Program provides grants up to $4,000 per academic year to students who intend to teach in a high need field and in a school that serves students from low-income families. If a student receives the TEACH Grant but doesn't complete the service obligation, this will be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and you must repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant / Loan was disbursed. Other requirements and detailed information can be found on our website here: Federal TEACH Grant / Loan Program.
Tennessee State Assistance Award (TSAA)
The TSAA* grant is a state award that does not have to be repaid. The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) provides a need-based grant program for in-state undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, meet Tennessee residency requirements for state student aid, be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and meet TSAC's need requirements based on FAFSA results. Awards vary based on need and enrollment status.
The TSAA does not require a separate application. If awarded the TSAA, the first eligible Tennessee school listed on your FAFSA will be notified. You can update your school of choice by updating your TSAC profile via the TSAC Student Portal. For more information about the TSAA, please visit the TSAC website.
*Before we can actually give you the credit for the TSAA Grant, we must have confirmation from TSAC that you meet the eligibility requirements.
