The University of Tennessee at Martin offers financial assistance to students based on need and academic achievement. 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. 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 be admitted as a regular student, seeking a degree and maintaining satisfactory academic progress (see section below). Federal financial aid is calculated based on the credit hours of courses that a student is taking that are required for his/her degree program. Application for financial assistance, except for Army ROTC Scholarships, should be made by completing an Application for Admission and a FAFSA. The FAFSA is completed online at www.fafsa.gov beginning October 1 of the year prior to the aid year for which they are applying (October 1, 2017 for the 18-19 aid year). The school code for UT Martin is 003531. To receive priority consideration for the coming year, the FAFSA should be processed by February 15.

The Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs are reserved for undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed undergraduate degree requirements are not eligible for Pell Grant or FSEOG funds. Students who have completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree are no longer eligible to receive federal or state grants.

Attendance

Although UTM is not an attendance-taking school, the instructors are all required to report whether all students on their rosters have attended classes (or have turned in assignments through Canvas if taking online classes) at least one time prior to the final day to add/drop (usually the 5th day after classes begin). Failure to begin attendance in one or more classes will be reported to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office as a "no show" and financial aid recipients will have their aid adjusted accordingly may cause a reduction in financial aid.

Financial aid and enrollment

The Bursar’s Office will continue to deliver refunds based on excess aid beginning beginning the 3rd week of classes. The amount of excess aid will be based on your enrollment on the 15th day of classes.

ENROLLMENT STATUS FOR ALL FEDERAL TITLE IV FUNDS (FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS, PELL GRANT, FSEOG, TEACH, PERKINS, FEDERAL WORK STUDY) ARE BASED ON HOURS YOU ARE TAKING THAT ARE IN YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY.


YOU MUST BE ENROLLED AT LEAST 6 CREDIT HOURS IN YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL LOANS.


GRANTS WILL PRORATE ACCORDING TO ENROLLMENT IN YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY.

 

Students who drop to less than full-time (12 hours) during the first week of classes will have their fees and grants adjusted accordingly. Students who pick up a refund check prior to change in enrollment will be required to repay any funds for which they are not entitled. Please feel free to call The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you have any questions (731) 881-7040.

Study Abroad

Students enrolled in a program of study abroad approved for credit by UTM is considered enrollment at UTM and eligible to apply for Title IV financial aid

Enrollment Reporting

The University of Tennessee at Martin reports changes of enrollment status to federal student loan servicers through the National Student Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) – www.studentclearinghouse.org. Files containing enrollment verification data are generated through the Banner Student system by Records Office personnel and uploaded to the National Student Clearinghouse database. In turn, the Clearinghouse reports enrollment status and deferment information for financial aid students to the education finance industry and Department of Education.

UTM submits enrollment reports to the Clearinghouse at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters and at least once a month through the end of each semester. Changes in enrollment status throughout the semester are reported via this process with the Clearinghouse. Besides reporting when a student changes enrollment status or fails to return to UTM, a student’s graduation is also reported to the Clearinghouse. Enrollment verification for Summer occurs at the end of the Summer semester, as the Summer semester is not considered a required enrollment period.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (click link for full policy) in order to receive any state, federal or institutional aid. All aid is contingent on these standards being met. Students not meeting these standards are sent a letter and an email regarding their loss of eligibility as well as the process of appealing to have financial aid eligibility reinstated.

Transfer students: All hours (UTM and transfer hours) will be used when calculating your Satisfactory Academic Progress to determine eligibility.

Students who have attempted 225 or more hours are not eligible for financial aid.