Student Financial Assistance

The University of Tennessee at Martin offers financial assistance to students based on academic achievement and need. To determine student need, the university utilizes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which takes into consideration certain factors relating to family financial status. Students who have completed degree requirements must not accept any Pell Grant or SEOG funds.

Three basic types of financial aid are made available by the university: (1) scholarships/grants, (2) loans, and (3) part-time employment. Some funds for grants and loans are provided through programs sponsored by the federal and state governments. To receive federal and/or state financial assistance, students must achieve academic standards consistent with the university's academic continuation policy. If a student is academically suspended and does not attend the university the following semester (summer semester excluded), or does not bring the cumulative grade point average up to 2.00 after attending another college, he/she must attend full-time for one semester without federal or state aid before he/she may be eligible for additional financial assistance from federal or state sources.

Application for financial assistance, except for Army ROTC Scholarships, should be made prior to March 1 preceding the academic year in which the student plans to enter, by completing an Application for Admission and a FAFSA. The FAFSA may be obtained from Tennessee high school counselors or by request from the Office of Student Financial Assistance. To receive priority consideration for the coming year, the FAFSA should be processed by March 1.

To receive financial aid from the federal financial aid programs, a student must be enrolled as a regular student, must be working toward a degree or certificate, and not have attempted in excess of 150 percent of hours earned. Failure to begin attendance in one or more classes may cause a reduction in financial aid. Students who have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree are no longer eligible to receive federal or state grants.

Scholarships

High scholastic achievement in most instances is the primary basis for awarding scholarships. However, factors such as need, character and leadership ability are also given consideration by the Committee on Scholarships. Scholarships are available in most major areas of study but some are restricted to certain localities, others to certain curricula. Scholarships vary in amounts ranging up to $3,800. One-half of the amount is paid each semester at registration.

Honors Programs Scholarships

University Scholars - minimum 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA for consideration; $3,800 award per year; 15 students selected each year for participation (see the section on UT Martin’s Honors Program in this catalog); must apply by March 1.

Chancellor’s Award - guaranteed tuition and fees award ($3,000 per year) to students with minimum 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA; must apply by March 1.

Merit Awards

Deans Scholarship/Workship - Minimum 25 ACT and 3.5 GPA; guaranteed $1,500 scholarship per year if student maintains a 3.0 GPA; must apply by March 1.

Students awarded the Deans Scholarship/Workship have the option of participating in the Honors Seminar Program but are not required to do so. For more information about the Honors Seminar Program, please refer to the Honors Programs section of this catalog.

Harold Conner African-American Scholarship - Consideration is given to students with a minimum 21 ACT composite and a minimum 3.25 high school grade point average. Recipients can receive $3,000 per year for four years if continuation requirements are met. Recipients must be African-American students who reside in Tennessee.

Salutatorian Award - This is a $1,000 freshman year award. Recipients are not required to live on campus or participate in the Leaders Program.

Leadership Awards

Leaders-in-Residence - Presidents of student councils, Honor Society and Beta Club presidents, and/or state officers in any student organization are eligible for $1,000. Recipients participate in a special leadership development program and may apply for residence hall staff positions worth approximately $6,000 per year. A student must be a regularly admitted student to UT Martin.

Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) - Students who participate in HOBY may be considered for a $1,000 leadership award. Recipients participate in a special leadership development program and must be regularly admitted students and live in the residence halls.

Girl Scout Gold Award - Recipients of the Gold Award may be eligible for an $800-per-year scholarship if they have a 21 ACT and a 3.0 GPA. Recipients must live in residence halls.

College Cheerleader and Training Scholarship - To receive this $400 freshman year award, a student must be a senior cheerleader or pom squad member and must meet regular admission requirements.

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Out-of-state students with a minimum 25 ACT and 3.5 GPA may receive an out-of-state tuition waiver valued at approximately $5,700 per year. Recipients must participate in the Honors Program.

Out-of-state students with a minimum 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA may receive an out-of-state tuition waiver valued at approximately $5,700 per year plus a $1,000 yearly scholarship. Recipients must participate in the Honors Program.

Students with the 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA may be considered for the University Scholarship program. Recipients selected will receive a $4,000 award in addition to the tuition waiver.

The University of Tennessee National Alumni Association

Andrew D. Holt Scholarship - $4,000 per year

National Merit Scholarship - $800 to $2,000 per year

Alumni Valedictorian Scholarship - $1,500 per year for two years

Alumni Achievement Scholarship - $1,500 per year for two years

The University of Tennessee at Martin expresses gratitude to the following donors who help fund our scholarships.

Grants

Federal PELL Grant (PELL) - The Pell Grant Program, a federal student aid program, is available to students who will be attending school as degree-seeking students. The grants are based on a federal formula which measures the ability of the student and his/her family to meet educational expenses. Application forms (FAFSA) may be obtained from high school counselors or by contacting the UT Martin Office of Student Financial Assistance. Grants may range up to $3,750. There are no application costs, and the grants do not have to be repaid.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) - A Tennessee Student Assistance Award is a nonrepayable grant to assist undergraduate students in financing a postsecondary education. Any Tennessee resident who is enrolled or who has been accepted for admission as an undergraduate student by an eligible Tennessee college or university and can establish that he/she needs financial assistance in order to complete his/her education is eligible to apply. Assistance awards range from a minimum of $402 to a maximum of $1,458, dependent upon the need of the student. In no case, however, may an award be greater than the amount of tuition and mandatory fees. The number of students assisted is dependent upon the amount of funds appropriated annually by the Tennessee General Assembly. Application for a Tennessee Student Assistance Award grant is made by completing the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG) - This program of direct gift awards is available to entering freshmen, transfer and enrolled undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.

The amount of financial assistance a student may receive is determined by the criteria established in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program. Basically, these criteria take into account the gross income of the student's parents and the number of children dependent upon this income in relation to the cost of attending the university. Students who apply for financial aid through the FAFSA are automatically evaluated for a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Funds are limited each year and will be available based on the March 1 priority date.

Army ROTC Scholarships - The United States Army offers financial assistance in the form of four-, three-, and two-year scholarships to qualified men and women on a merit basis. Each scholarship pays full tuition, books (up to $510), related mandatory academic expenses, and a tiered allowance from $250-400 per month during spring and fall semesters. To qualify, the student must:

1. Complete all requirements for a commission and a college degree and be under 27 years of age on June 30 of the year in which they become eligible for commissioning.
2. Meet and maintain the required medical standards and height and weight requirements of Army Regulation 40-501.
3. Agree to complete the requirements for a commission, to accept either a Regular Army or Reserve commission, and to serve on Army active duty, in the Army Reserve or in the Army National Guard, for a period specified.
4. Be continually enrolled for 45 days after the academic start date of the fall semester at UT Martin and take and pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), in accordance with Army Field Manual 21-20.

UT Martin provides free residence hall rooms, as available, for most Army ROTC three- and two-year scholarship winners. Assignment of rooms is recommended by the professor of military science.

Application for the four-year scholarship must be submitted by November 15 to ensure full consideration. Four-year ROTC scholarship winners with an ACT score of 25 and above and a high school CGPA of 3.5 are awarded room and board scholarships by UT Martin on a limited basis. Winners must maintain a CGPA of 3.2 on campus, a ROTC GPA of 3.0, and remain enrolled in ROTC. Four-year ROTC scholarship winners are not eligible for other university scholarship incentives upon acceptance of the room and board offer. All application forms may be obtained by writing, or visiting, the professor of military science at The University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, Tennessee 38238, phone 731-881-7682, or 1-800-829-UTM1/ROTC, or applicants may write directly to Army ROTC Scholarship, Fort Monroe, Va. 23651.

Veterans may be eligible to compete for ROTC scholarships and, if eligible, may also receive any VA benefits to which they would normally be entitled. Veterans who return to active duty as officers may count their prior active duty enlisted time toward longevity pay and retirement.

Students who attend the Basic Camp of the Two-Year Program may compete for two-year scholarships while at camp.

Four-year scholarships are awarded to students who will be entering college as freshmen. Three- and two-year scholarships are awarded to students already enrolled in college. Applications for the two- and three-year scholarships are submitted year-round. Students enrolled in an advanced education program beyond the baccalaureate degree may also apply, providing the applicant is a full-time student with a minimum of two years remaining before advance-degree completion and meets the age requirement. Additionally the Department of Military Science annually awards three $200 Weems, one-year scholarships. The Col. Tom Elam ROTC Alumni endowment scholarship is awarded annually by recommendation of the ROTC Alumni Associates. The Elam scholarship is a one-year scholarship with the amount varying over $750. JROTC Battalion Commanders and four selected freshmen entering ROTC are eligible for UT Martin's Leaders in Residence $1,000 scholarships. Dedicated National Guard, or Army Reserve, scholarships of full tuition and fees are available for qualified guard or reserve members.

Loans

Federal Perkins Loan Program - The Perkins Loan, previously named the National Direct Student Loan, is available to students who meet the qualifications of academic achievement and proven financial need. Need is the major factor in determining the amount of financial aid after academic qualifications have been established. Each student is expected to make a reasonable contribution toward the cost of his/her education, and his/her parents are expected to contribute in proportion to their resources before assistance can be extended by the university. Funds are limited each year. Students who apply for Financial Aid through the FAFSA, and meet the March 1 priority date, will be considered for a Perkins Loan.

An eligible undergraduate student may borrow up to a maximum of $4,000 each academic year and up to a maximum total loan of $15,000 in undergraduate school. Interest on Perkins Loans is five percent annually on the unpaid balance, beginning nine months after graduation or withdrawal from school. The maximum repayment period is 10 years.

Repayment may be deferred while the borrower is enrolled as at least a half-time student at an accredited institution of higher learning or for a period of three years if he/she is serving as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, Peace Corps or Vista. Borrowers who teach full time after graduation in a school designated as having a high concentration of students from low-income families, or who teach the handicapped, may apply for partial cancellation of their loan for each year of teaching service.

Federal Stafford Loans - The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, through participation agreements with banks and other lending institutions, offers long-term personal loans to students to help pay educational expenses. To determine eligibility, a student must apply for financial aid through the FAFSA and be admitted to or enrolled at least half-time and in good standing at the university. The repayment period begins six months after graduation or withdrawal from the university. Prior to the repayment period, interest is paid by the federal government.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans - This program offers an alternative to those students who have no eligibility, or only partial eligibility for the regular Stafford loan. The major difference is that, with the Unsubsidized Stafford, the student is responsible for the accrued interest. This interest will usually be capitalized (added to the amount borrowed until repayment begins after graduation), but may be paid monthly or quarterly while the student is enrolled.

Federal Work-Study Program - The university participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, a federal government project to make part-time employment opportunities available to students. To be eligible, a student must be accepted for full-time enrollment or be in good standing if currently enrolled.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance recommends that students not work more than 20 hours per week while attending classes. During vacation periods, including summers, the student may work 40 hours per week with the approval of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Payroll periods are bi-weekly.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance, in making work-study offers, allows a student to seek employment in an area related to his/her educational interests. In addition to providing financial assistance, the work-study program is designed to help the student develop a sense of responsibility and accomplishment as well as certain mechanical skills.

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