Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to complete a FAFSA every year?

• YES, if you want to be awarded Federal Student Aid (i.e. Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans & Graduate PLUS) and Health Professions loans as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Log on to studentaid.gov to complete a FAFSA Application.
• The newest application is available October 1st for the upcoming Academic Year.
• UTHSC’s FAFSA School Code is 006725. Do I have to enter my parent’s information on my FAFSA?

Do I have to enter my parent’s information on my FAFSA?

• Independent students are not required to provide parent information. However, parent information is required to determine eligibility for need based loans/scholarships.
• See below for the Department of Education’s definition of an independent student:
  • A student who is at least 24 years of age
  • A student who is married,
  • A student who is enrolled in a graduate program
  • A student who is a veteran
  • A student who is a member of the armed forces
  • A student who is an orphan
  • A student who is a ward of the court, or
  • A student who has legal dependent(s), other than a spouse.

Are there any other applications or documents that I have to provide to be eligible for Federal Student Aid?

• ONLY if you are chosen for a process called Verification.
• If you are chosen for this process, you receive an email from financial aid.
• Included in the email will be information regarding the documents that are needed.
• Also, you be asked to provide proof of registering for selective service if you are a male between the ages of 18-25 and have not done so.
• Another reason to provide more documents is if your citizenship has not been confirmed.

How am I notified that I have been awarded financial aid?

• You will be notified by email of your financial aid awards.
• To accept your financial aid awards, log on to Banner Self-Service;
• click the financial aid tab;
• Click award;
• Click award for aid year, and select the appropriate aid year.
• Various tabs should appear across the top;
• Click the terms and conditions tab to accept your terms and conditions;
• Click the awards offered tab to accept your financial aid awards

What is the difference between a Federal Direct Subsidized (sub) Loan and a Federal Direct Unsubsidized (unsub) Loan?

• A Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a need based loan that does not accrue interest while in school, that is ONLY awarded to students who have been admitted to a degree seeking undergraduate program.
• A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a non-need based loan that does accrue interest while in school, and hat is awarded to students who have been admitted to a degree seeking undergraduate/graduate program.
• PLEASE NOTE: Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours of coursework and graduate students must be enrolled in at least five credit hours of coursework in order for Federal Student Aid funds to be applied toward your tuition. 

What is A Direct Graduate Plus Loan and How Do I Apply for this Loan?

• ONLY students who have been admitted to a graduate program are eligible to apply for a Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans.
• Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans are credit based loans and are used to cover the difference between the amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loans/other sources of aid awarded and a student’s Total Cost of Attendance.
• To apply for a Direct Graduate Plus Loan complete an Additional Fund Request Form.
• After you have been approved, log on tostudentaid.govto complete a Direct Graduate Plus Promissory Note and a Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling with Graduate Plus

After viewing my financial aid awards, are there other sources of aid that I am eligible to apply for?

The following are additional sources of aid:

• As a dependent undergraduate student your parents/guardian can apply for a Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan at studentaid.gov.
• As a dependent/independent undergraduate student you can apply for a Private Alternative Loan with other banking institution.
• As a graduate student you can apply for a Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan by completing an Additional Funds Request Form.
• As a graduate student you can also apply for a Private Alternative Loan with other banking institution. 

Are scholarships another source of financial aid?

Yes. Please see instructions below.

• The recipients of most scholarships are selected by the college’s program chair/scholarship committee.
• Students can contact the above mentioned individual(s) to inquire about their perspective college’s scholarship process.
• If you are selected for a scholarship(s), your college will notify your financial aid counselor to let them know that you have been selected for a scholarship, to inform them of the name of the scholarship and the amount of the scholarship. 

Is a Federal Work Study another source of financial aid?

Yes. Please see instructions below.

• At minimum, to be considered for Federal Work Study, you must complete a FAFSA Application
• Your FAFSA results must indicate that you have need.
• If Federal Work Study funds have not been added to your awards, email workstudy@uthsc.edu to inquire of your eligibility.
• Go to Federal Work-Study Program to view Federal Work Study positions, the places of employment, and the supervisor’s name and contact information.

If I decline part of my Federal Loans now, can I request them again at a later date?

• Students always have the option of declining all or part of any loans offered to them.
• If a student decides later in the academic year that the declined amount of aid is needed, complete and submit a signed Additional Funds Request Form. 
• However, if a student has declined institutional funds, the ability to recoup those funds will be based on the funds availability. Contact your financial counselor to inquire 

How long after I have been awarded aid will my refund, be made available to me? 

Please refer to the Bursar's website for the published refund dates. Registrar's Academic Calendar

Where can I find my Federal Student Loan history?

You can find your Federal Student Loan history by login on to nslds.ed.gov

Here is a list of the name of the financial aid counselors and their contact information.

• Staff