How to Apply for Financial Aid at UTC
Step 1: Complete and e-Sign the FAFSA on the Web (and Apply for Scholarships)
- The FAFSA is the application for federal and state grants, lottery scholarships, loans, and work programs. A new FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA application must be completed for each academic year you wish to receive aid.
- Available at www.fafsa.ed.gov – Remember, the FAFSA is FREE – do not allow anyone to charge you for submission. UTC's federal school code is 003529.
- The student and the parent (if dependent) must both sign the FAFSA. E-signature is recommended. Click here to apply for a FAFSA PIN.
- Continuing Students may utilize their pre-filled FAFSA on the Web.
- Students must be accepted to UTC and must be admitted into a degree or undergraduate program in order to receive financial aid.
- Provisional or conditional graduate students are NOT eligible to receive federal financial aid. Missing any documents from your graduate admissions application could deem you temporarily provisional or conditional.
- Submission of your FAFSA by February 1 is recommended to ensure you have the opportunity to complete your financial aid file by March 1. March 1 is the priority deadline for Tennessee state grants and May 1 is the priority deadline for Tennessee Lottery Scholarships. Funds are limited and may be awarded on a first come first served basis.
- Scholarships:
- The UTC Admissions & Scholarship Application is the application for freshmen scholarships. Freshman applicants must complete the UTC admissions process by February 1 before the upcoming Fall semester to be considered for Chancellor's and Provost's Scholarships. The deadline for the Chattanooga YES is April 1.
- To apply for upperclass scholarships, continuing and transfer students must complete the UTC Scholarship Application by March 1 before the upcoming Fall semester.
- Students with current UTC scholarship awards will automatically be reviewed for renewal according to the specific scholarship renewal criteria.
- For more scholarship information, visit the Scholarship Webpage.
Step 2: Submit all requested documents to the Financial Aid Office.
- Approximately one-third of all FAFSA applications are selected for verification. Applicants selected for verification are required to turn in copies of prior year tax documents and the UTC Verification Worksheet. Additional documents may be requested after an initial application review in order to resolve any discrepancies. Do not turn in verification documents unless requested by the UTC Financial Aid Office.
- Other documentation may be requested as necessary via your MocsNet.
- Students must have a complete UTC financial aid file by July 1 in order to have funds available at Fall fee payment, by November 1 for Spring fee payment, and by March 1 for Summer semester.
- Summer Aid Application: An additional document is required for Summer aid. The priority deadline for the Summer Aid Application is March 1.
Step 3: Accept your Financial Aid awards.
- Award Notification:
- Review of your financial aid application will normally take place within four to six weeks after your financial aid file is complete. However, at peak processing times, allow eight to twelve weeks for review. Students will be sent an e-mailed Financial Aid Award Notification. The student will then be directed to their MocsNet to review their specific award.
- It is the student's responsibility to inform the Financial Aid Office of any outside scholarships, tuition waivers or stipends they will be receiving. Federal regulations require these other resources to be factored into the student's federal financial aid offer.
- From your MocsNet, select Student Information, enter your Secure ID (SID), then choose My Financial Aid. “Offered” awards require action by the student.
- If you are a new Stafford Loan borrower, you will choose a lender at this time.
- Some awards are time-sensitive and may be cancelled after 30 days of student inactivity.
Step 4: Got loans? Complete all loan-related requirements.
- Be sure you are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.
- Complete and e-Sign a Master Promissory Note for your selected lender.
- Your lender is listed on your MocsNet under your financial aid awards.
- Complete Entrance Loan Counseling.
Step 5: Accept your charges with the Bursar’s Office one of 3 ways.
- Log into your MocsNet, enter your Secure ID (SID), then choose Moc's Express Statement.
- Follow the instructions as listed.
- Return the statement mailed to you with your Moc’s Express Statement.
- Call the Bursar at 423-425-4781.
Standards to Receive Financial Aid
All students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive financial aid funds. The offer, acceptance, and disbursement of aid is contingent upon the student meeting these standards. A copy of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy will be included with your Financial Aid Award Notification. Please check with the Financial Aid Office if you have questions regarding this policy.
Undergraduate students must enroll for a minimum of 12 semester hours to qualify as a full-time student, 9-11 hours to qualify as a three-quarter-time student, and 6-8 hours to qualify as a half-time student. Half-time status is required to receive federal aid funds, although less than half-time students may qualify for Federal Pell Grant funds.
Graduate students must enroll for a minimum of 9 semester hours to qualify as a full-time student and a minimum of 6 credit hours to qualify as a half-time student. Graduate students must be accepted as a degree graduate student. Provisional or conditional students are NOT eligible for federal financial aid. Please visit the Graduate School web site for more information.
