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Financial Aid

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Graduate Student Aid

  • 5 Steps to Financial Aid at UTC
  • Financial Aid for graduate students is typically limited to departmental scholarships and student loans.
  • If you are starting your graduate program in the 2009 summer term, please be aware that UTC's financial aid awarding process follows a fall-spring-summer schedule. This means that you will need to complete the 2008-09 FASFA for the summer term as well as the 2009-10 FAFSA for the following terms. Please review our Important Dates webpage.
  • 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.
  • Graduate students will automatically be awarded their maximum loan amounts based on cost of attendance and outside resources.
  • 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 - please note the following:

  • The student must be fully admitted to the Graduate School at UTC.
  • Undergraduate students taking graduate level classes are not eligible.
  • The student must complete the FAFSA and all other financial aid requirements. Please refer to our 5 Steps to Financial Aid at UTC for more information.
  • The student must accept the maximum eligibility of $20,500 under the Federal Stafford Loan Program for the CURRENT aid year. Typically, in-state graduate students will not be eligible for the Graduate PLUS Loan until (possibly) summer due to UTC's low cost of attendance and, therefore, the student's inability to accept the full $20,500.
  • 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.
  • Effective Fall 2008, all Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers must complete Graduate PLUS Entrance Loan Counseling.
  • 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.
  6. Effective Fall 2008, all Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers must complete Graduate PLUS Entrance Loan Counseling. No Graduate PLUS Loan funds can be released to the student until thise requirement has been completed.

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