UTC RAVE Alert

Graduate Student

You must be a degree-seeking graduate student, as named by the Graduate School and enrolled at least half time (five credit hours) or conditionally admitted to the Graduate School and enrolled in at least six credit hours to be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans. Graduate students are not eligible to receive Subsidized loans.
 


Below is specific information regarding the student loan process at UTC. Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are low interest student loans available to students to assist with educational cost. Interest rate information is available at: Federal Student Aid - Interest Rates and Fees.

  • Please be aware that UTC's financial aid awarding process follows a fall-spring-summer schedule as it relates to the FAFSA. Therefore, if you plan to begin in the summer semester, you would ensure UTC has the FAFSA for the appropriate academic year (i.e. - attending summer 2022, you would file the 2021-2022 FAFSA). 
  • Graduate students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant or other federal and state grants with the exception of the 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 and assistantships.
  • You must be a degree-seeking graduate student, as determined by the Graduate School and enrolled at least half time (five credit hours) or conditionally admitted to the Graduate School and enrolled in at least six credit hours to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans. Per Graduate Council policy, graduate students enrolled in less than five hours of thesis or dissertation credit at the end of their program of study are considered full-time equivalent. Please see the Graduate catalog for more details about Graduate School policies.
  • Graduate students are not eligible to receive Subsidized loans. Below is specific information regarding the student loan process at UTC. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are low interest student loans available to students to assist with educational cost.  Interest rate information is available at: Federal Student Aid - Interest Rates and Fees.

Types of aid available for graduate students:

  1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  2. Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
  3. Private Loans
  4. Employment Opportunity

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Procedures

  • Students applying for Federal Direct Loans must first complete the FAFSA. Other documents may be requested once the FAFSA data is received by the UTC Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. Check your MyMocsNet account frequently for requested documents.
  • Once your file is complete, processing time in the UTC Financial Aid & Scholarship Office is generally 2 - 3 weeks, although it may be increased to 4 - 6 weeks during peak processing times.
  • Graduate students will automatically be offered their maximum Direct Loan amounts based on cost of attendance and outside resources. Full or partial loan amounts can be accepted in your MyMocsNet account.
  • Students borrowing Federal Direct Loans for the first time at UTC must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note prior to receiving their first loan disbursement. 
  • Exit Loan Counseling must be completed at studentaid.gov each time you graduate or you are no longer enrolled at least half time.

Federal Direct Loan Limits

Beginning Fall 2007, annual loan limits are:

  • $20,500 for graduate and professional students. Beginning 2012-2013, graduate and professional students are eligible to receive unsubsidized loans only.

Aggregate loan limits are:

  • $138,500 for graduate and professional students (including undergraduate borrowing).

Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Direct Graduate PLUS loans enable independent graduate students with good credit histories to borrow up to cost of attendance, less any other aid received.

  • The student must be fully admitted to the Graduate School at UTC and enrolled at least half time.
  • Undergraduate students taking graduate level classes are not eligible.
  • The student must complete the FAFSA and all other financial aid requirements.
  • The student must accept the maximum eligibility of $20,500 under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized 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.
  • Students must adhere to all UTC enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress standards in order to be eligible for PLUS loan funds.

The repayment period for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan begins at the time the loan is fully disbursed, and the first payment is due within 60 days after the final disbursement. However, students may defer repayment while enrolled at least half-time.

Interest rate information is available at: Federal Student Aid - Interest Rates and Fees.

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Procedures

Direct Graduate PLUS loans enable independent graduate students, with good credit histories to borrow up to cost of attendance, less any other aid received. Financial Aid for graduate students is typically limited to departmental scholarships and student loans.

  1. The student must complete the FAFSA and all other financial aid requirements. Please note, if you plan to begin in the summer semester, you would ensure UTC has the FAFSA for the appropriate academic year (i.e. - attending summer 2020, you would file the 2019-2020 FAFSA).
  2. The Graduate PLUS Loan application is completed online at studentaid.gov.
  3. If pre-approved, the borrower must complete a Master Promissory Note. First time PLUS borrowers must complete an Entrance Loan Counseling.
  4. The Department of Education electronically transmits the approval or denial to the UTC Financial Aid & Scholarship Office within 72 hours.
  5. 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.
  6. Funds are released electronically by the Department of Education typically within 7 days of the certification, provided the Department of Education has received all relevant documentation from the borrower.
  7. EXIT Loan Counseling must be completed once the student graduates or each time the student drops below half time or is no longer enrolled at least half time.

Employment Opportunity

There are currently no open positions.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid and Scholarships