Financial Aid
GRANTS
Federal Pell Grant—Federal Pell Grant helps undergraduates pay for their education after high school. For the Federal Pell Grant Program, an undergraduate is one who has not earned a bachelor's or first professional degree. For many students, Federal Pell Grants provide a "foundation" of financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources may be added. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid (as long as satisfactory progress is maintained).
To determine if a student is eligible, the Department of Education uses a standard formula passed into law by Congress; to evaluate the information reported on the student aid application. [click here for more information]
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)—To be eligible to receive FSEOG funds, students must show exceptional financial need and meet other general eligibility requirements for Title IV programs. Exceptionally needy students are those who have the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and are eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant funds in the current award year. FSEOG awards are restricted to undergraduate students only. Since students are admitted on an ongoing basis throughout this year, the lowest EFC may mean the lowest EFC for group of applicants whose aid is being packaged at the same time. FSEOG is awarded based on the student's EFC. FSEOG will be awarded to students who have a 0 EFC and remaining need. The FAO will then determine if there are enough funds to award to students who have a higher EFC. This will vary from year to year. [click here for more information]
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
Students must be Pell eligible and a Tennessee resident. The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) determines eligibility and awards (http://www.state.tn.us/tsac/index.htm ). Students who attend on a part-time basis will have their TSAA prorated based on the amount of fees they pay. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. Less than half-time students do not qualify for TSAA.
The maximum number of TSAA payments a student may receive is limited by their program type and length as follows:
6 month program 2 TSAA payments 15 month or 1 year program 3 TSAA payments 18 month or 2 year program 6 TSAA payments Students may receive TSAA payments for only three terms in an academic year. Students must be enrolled at the time of certification.
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant — Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS)
The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant (WNTSG) is part of the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program (TELS). The WNTSG is a grant that is available only to Tennessee residents that attend a Tennessee Technology Center . This program became effective the Fall term of 2004.ELIGIBILITY –
Must be a Tennessee resident as defined by Chapter 0240-2-2 (www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0240/0240-02/0240-02-02.pdf ) of regulations promulgated by the Tennessee Board of Regents for one year prior to the date of enrollment and:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Must be in compliance with Selective Service Requirements
- Must be in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial aid.
- Must not be in default on a federal student loan
- Must not owe a financial aid refund or overpayment
- Must not be incarcerated.
- Must meet the enrollment requirements for both the school and the program. (Do not have to have a high school diploma or GED if not required for enrollment in the school or program.)
- Must be enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or diploma. Continuing education and supplemental certificate programs are not eligible.
- Must have never received the Tennessee HOPE scholarship or have completed a certificate or diploma program with the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.
- Must meet the FAFSA application deadline of November 1 for Fall Term, March 1 for Spring Term and July 1 for Summer Term.
Note: Students may enroll as full-time or part-time. There is no income limit for eligibility. A student with a bachelor’s degree may be eligible to receive the WNTSG.
RETENTION OF WNTSG
- Must continue to meet all eligibility requirements as stated above.
- Must reapply each year using the FAFSA.
- Must maintain continuous enrollment (unless a leave of absence is granted).
- Must maintain satisfactory progress according to standards used for Title IV purposes. Students must meet grade and attendance requirements as well as the 150% timeframe requirements. May receive the WNTSG for all coursework required for completion of the certificate or diploma program.
- Maximum time frame of five years from first disbursement.
Note: Once the student becomes ineligible for the WNTSG, the student shall not be eligible to regain the WNTSG.
CALCULATION OF WNTSG AWARD
The maximum Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant award will be determined by TSAC annually. The amount is subject to availability of funds from the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program. The WNTSG will be paid each term in the academic year. The amount of the award will be prorated based on the number of scheduled hours for each term.REFUNDS
If a WNTSG recipient fails to complete a term for any reason, the institution must determine if a refund is due to the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant program.If the WNTSG recipient is also a Title IV funds recipient, the Return of Title IV funds calculation and federal regulations must be applied first. The institutional refund policy for fees and books will be applied next.
If the student owes a refund to the WNTSG, the school will notify the student and TSAC of the student's obligation to return the funds. The student will be ineligible to receive any additional funds administered by TSAC until the refund is paid.CHANGE OF STATUS
Students must now change from full-time to part-time or adjust their part-time schedule prior to the beginning of the term unless there are documented medical personal or medical reasons. More information can be found on pages 11 and 12 of this handbook. A Change of Status form is available in the Student Services Office.TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfers between TTC's –
Students may transfer from one TTC to another TTC. A transfer student will retain their eligibility to receive WNTSG funds as long as they continue to meet all the eligibility requirements. This includes both continuous enrollment and satisfactory progress. For purposes of determining eligibility for WNTSG the student's satisfactory progress (grades, attendance and 150% timeframe) will follow them to the transfer TTC.Transfers between Programs at a TTC –
Students may transfer from one program to another at the same TTC and retain WNTSG eligibility as long as they maintain continuous enrollment and maintain satisfactory progress.LEAVE OF ABSENCE (LOA) –
For rare and unusual circumstances, a student may request a leave of absence (LOA) to continue eligibility for Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant. An LOA may be approved for documented medical or personal reasons, such as serious extended illness of the student, serious extended illness or death of an immediate family member, extreme financial hardship of the student or the student's immediate family, or other extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the student's control where continued enrollment creates a substantial hardship.A student must submit a written request in advance for a leave of absence unless an unforeseen circumstance prevents the student from doing so. The student's signed and dated request must include the reason for the request, beginning and ending dates for the leave and supporting documentation. A Leave of Absence form may be picked up in the Student Services Office.
The student will be readmitted as space is available upon completion of the LOA.
An approved LOA will be treated as a withdrawal for all financial aid programs other than the WNTSG. This may cause other awards to be recalculated and in some cases a Return of Title IV funds calculation may be necessary.
A leave of absence will not be granted for less than 9.7% of the student's scheduled hours or longer than the scheduled hours remaining in the term at the time of the leave.
If the student's request for a leave of absence is denied, the student may appeal the decision to the Institutional Review Panel (IRP).MILITARY MOBILIZATION OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
Members of the United States Armed Services, National Guard, or Armed Forces Reserves receiving a Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant who are mobilized for active duty during a term that is already in progress shall be granted a personal leave of absence and shall not have their WNTSG eligibility negatively impacted.The hours attempted during the term will not be taken into consideration for purposes of satisfactory progress for determining future Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant eligibility.
The student's Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant eligibility will resume as if no break in enrollment has occurred as long as the student re-enrolls within one year following their return from the demobilization.
A student whose spouse, child, or parent is mobilized for active duty may also request a personal leave of absence. The same provisions as above will apply in these situations.
The student must provide the Student Services Office a copy of their military orders and complete a Leave of Absence request form.
For all other financial aid programs, including Title IV and Veteran's Education Benefits, the LOA will be treated as a withdrawal. Accordingly, awards will be recalculated and in some cases a Return of Title IV funds calculation may be necessary.
APPEAL AND EXCEPTION PROCESS FOR WILDER-NAIFEH TECHNICAL SKILLS GRANT
The Institutional Review Panel (IRP) is established for the purpose of hearing appeals from decisions denying or revoking an applicant’s Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.The following items are allowed for appeals:
- Denial of a Change in Status request
- Denial of a Leave of Absence request
- Denial of Reinstatement of Eligibility after a Change in Grade
- Denial of Reinstatement of Eligibility after the Grade for an Incomplete Course is reported
The IRP will be designated by the institution administrator and may be composed, but not limited to, the following: two faculty members, two students, one administrator and one support staff. The Student Services Coordinator will serve on the panel as a non-voting member. An alternate will be designated for any IRP member who is personally involved in a particular case or is otherwise unable to attend. No eligible institution official rendering a decision to deny or revoke a WNTSG award shall participate in the appeal process.
IRP APPEALS PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Any student wishing to appeal to the IRP must provide a written appeal within five (5) calendar days of notification of denial. A Request for an Appeal form is available in the Student Services Office.The IRP may review the student's appeal with or without a hearing and shall make a determination no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the student properly files an appeal.
he IRP shall render a written decision no later that seven (7) calendar days after considering an appeal, except for exigent circumstances.
APPEALS OF IRP’S DECISION
A student seeking an appeal of a decision rendered by the IRP shall request in writing an appeal outlining the basis for the appeal with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation TELS Award Appeals Panel within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the decision was delivered to the student.Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
TELS Award Appeal Panel
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1950
Nashville, TN 37243
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANT RECIPIENTS
Scholarship and grant funds in excess of amounts used for payment of tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment are considered taxable income for U.S. income tax purposes. If you receive scholarships and grants in excess of the costs listed above, it is your responsibility to report this income on your federal tax return. Whether or not your scholarships or grants are taxable, it is your responsibility to keep receipts of all educational expenses to support the nontaxable portion of these funds. The receipts you receive from the Business Office and the Bookstore should be kept as part of these records. Duplicate copies of these receipts will not be provided, so do not lose them. See you tax advisor or call the Internal Revenue Service toll free at 1-800-829-1040 if you have questions on the taxability of your scholarship(s) or grants(s).It is the student’s responsibility to report to the Financial Aid Office ALL types of aid received.
