Financial Aid

About the Federal Pell

The Federal Pell Grant is funded by the US federal government and does not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant is potentially available to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor's degree.

Award amounts vary based on a student's Student Aid Index (SAI), as determined by their submitted FAFSA, and the student’s enrollment status. A student's Pell award amount adjusts if the student is not enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours) during a semester. Students who receive the Federal Pell Grant may also be eligible to receive a portion for summer semesters. To potentially utilize Pell for summer, students must register for summer courses. For specific registration dates, please consult the Academic Calendar.

Eligible students may continue to receive the Federal Pell Grant until 1) completion of their first bachelor’s degree OR 2) until the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of the grant have been used.

Additional Pell Eligibility Rules

• Students whose non-federal aid (institutional scholarships, external scholarships, HOPE Lottery, etc.) fully covers their Cost of Attendance (COA) budget will no longer be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

  • Example: An undergraduate living on campus with in-state tuition has a COA of $33,656 for the year and received enough non-federal aid to meet their COA budget. Because of this, they are no longer eligible to utilize their Pell Grant.

• Students whose Student Aid Index (SAI) is greater than twice the maximum Pell amount will no longer be eligible for the Federal Pell grant.

• • Example: The maximum Pell amount for the 2026-2027 aid year is $7,395. If a student has an SAI greater than 14,790, the student is not eligible for Pell.

For more information about the Federal Pell Grant, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

The SEOG Grant is an addendum to the federal grant for undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need that does not have to be repaid. The SEOG prioritizes students who receive maximum Federal Pell Grants (-1500 to zero SAI) and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, which is determined by when students submit their FAFSA and complete all requirements. 

Due to limited availability, there is no guarantee that every eligible student will receive a SEOG award. Therefore, students who believe they meet the eligibility requirements should submit their FAFSA as soon as it becomes available each year. For more information about the SEOG, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

The Federal TEACH Grant / Loan Program provides grants up to $4,000 per academic year to students who intend to teach in a high need field and in a school that serves students from low-income families. If a student receives the TEACH Grant but doesn't complete the service obligation, the grant is converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant / Loan was disbursed. 

Learn More About the TEACH Grant

The TSAA is a need-based grant awarded by the The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) for in-state undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions. To receive the TSAA, students must be U.S. citizens, meet Tennessee residency requirements for state student aid, be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and meet TSAC's need requirements based on FAFSA results. Awards vary based on need and enrollment status.

The TSAA does not require a separate application. If awarded the TSAA, the first eligible Tennessee school listed on your FAFSA will is notified so they can place it on your account. You can update your school of choice by logging in to your TSAC profile via the TSAC Student Portal. For more information about the TSAA and its requirements, please visit the TSAC website.