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Financial Aid

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Graduate Student Aid

  • Financial Aid for graduate students is typically limited to departmental scholarships and student loans.
  • Graduate students are not eligible for Pell or other federal and state grants, with the exception of the new TEACH Grant.
  • Click here if you are enrolled in a Teacher Certification Program at UTC.
  • It is recommended that you contact the Graduate School or your individual department regarding scholarships.
  • Only degree-seeking graduate students, as named by the Graduate School, and those enrolled in at least six (6) graduate-level hours are eligible for federal Stafford loans. Below is specific information regarding the Stafford loan process at UTC.
  • Provisional or Conditional students, or students enrolled less than 6 hours, are not eligible for federal Stafford loans, although alternative loans may be available based on the lenders' determination of credit worthiness, among other requirements.
  • Students applying for Federal Stafford Loans must first complete the FAFSA. Other documents may be requested once the FAFSA data is received by the UTC Financial Aid Office. Check your MocsNet account frequently for requested documents.
  • Once a file is complete, the typical processing time in the UTC Financial Aid Office is 4-6 weeks, although it may be increased to 8-12 weeks during peak processing times
  • Students borrowing Federal Stafford Loans must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note prior to receiving their first loan disbursement at UTC.

Federal Stafford Student Loans

Beginning Fall 2007, annual loan limits are:
  • $20,500 for graduate and professional students (limit $8,500 in subsidized loans)
Aggregate loan limits are:
  • $138,500 for graduate and professional students (limit $65,500 in subsidized loans)

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans

Independent graduate students are eligible to apply for Federal PLUS loans once they have completed the FAFSA and have applied for their maximum eligibility under the Federal Stafford Loan Program. These loans require a borrower credit check and in some cases, a co-signor. These students need not submit the PLUS Information Form to UTC.

Students must adhere to all UTC enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress standards in order to be eligible for PLUS loan proceeds.

PLUS Loan Procedures

*PLEASE NOTE: The below procedures apply only to UTC’s electronic PLUS lenders. Other procedures will be required if the lender selected is not familiar with UTC's certification and disbursement processes. Please contact your lender if you are not sure of their process.

  1. The independent graduate student applies for the PLUS loan by calling their selected lender or by completing the Pre-Screen Process on the lender's website.
  2. If pre-approved, the borrower must complete a Master Promissory Note. Electronic submission is recommended.
  3. The lender electronically transmits the approval or denial to the UTC Financial Aid Office within 72 hours.
  4. The approval is certified by UTC. Denial processing is not available for independent graduate students.  Allow a minimum of 5 business days for internal processing.
  5. Funds are released electronically by the lender within 7 days of the certification, provided the lender has received all relevant documentation from the borrower.

Review the Federal Parent and Graduate PLUS Loan page for more information.