Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student's Rights

• Privacy of your information (FERPA). All records and information submitted with your application for financial aid are confidential and subject to legal requirements concerning disclosure of such information. The registrar has more information regarding FERPA and the privacy and release of student information​.
• To know the costs: This includes costs for tuition and fees, room and board, as well as the estimates for books and supplies, transportation, and personal and miscellaneous expenses used in determining your financial aid cost of attendance. Learn more about UTHSC's costs.
• To be aware of the financial aid programs available to you which includes all federal, state and university financial aid programs as well as the deadlines, eligibility, selection creterion, procedures and forms necessary to apply for these funds. 
• To be aware of the student consumer information available to you. Federal regulations require that institutions provide specific consumer information about the school and about financial aid to enrolled and prospective students. Such information includes but is not limited to our current degree programs, our school costs, withdrawal procedure, accreditation and licensure, disability services, aid eligibility for study abroad, transfer credit policies, contact information, and penalties and policies related to copyright infringement.
• To  know the method by which financial assistance disbursements will be made to students and the frequency of those disbursements. Pell-eligible students have the right to know how the school provides for a way for them to purchase required books and supplies by the seventh day of a payment period and how the students may opt out.
• To know the terms of any loan received as part of your financial assistance package, a sample loan repayment schedule, the necessity for repaying loans, and the the exit counseling information the school provides
• To know the general conditions and terms applicable to any employment provided to students as part of their financial assistance package.
• To know the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards you must meet to receive financial aid and the criteria by which those who have failed to maintain SAP may re-establish aid eligibility.
• The U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group is dedicated to helping resolve disputes related to the Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), Guaranteed Student Loans, and Perkins Loans programs. The Ombudsman Group is a neutral, informal, and confidential resource to help resolve disputes about your federal student loans. Before contacting the Ombudsman Group, be sure to follow Federal Student Aid's recommendations to resolve the problems with your student loan yourself: Via on-line assistance: http//studentaid.gov/repay-loans/disputes/prepare; Via telephone:877-557-2575; Via fax: 606-396-4821; Via mail: FSA Ombudsman Group, P.O. Box 1843, Monticello, KY 42633

Student's Responsibilities

The Direct Loan program is provided by the U.S. Department of Education to enable a student to pay for education after high school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education to attend participating schools after filing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students cannot exceed the annual and aggregate loan limits established by the Federal Government. Direct Loans include the following types of federal student loans:

• Direct Subsidized Loans- while in school, the Federal Government pays the acrued interest on this loan. Available only for undergraduates.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans- you are responsible for all the accrued interest from the day of disbursement.
• Direct PLUS Loans – credit-based loan available for graduate students or parents of dependent undergraduates.

A student is obligated to repay their Direct Loan(s) to the U.S. Department of Education via the Servicer that is assigned to them. Before you take out a loan, it’s important to understand that a loan is a legal obligation that you will be responsible for repaying with interest.

The maximum amount of financial aid you can receive from federal, state, institutional, and/or outside sources cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance (COA) for the year. Your COA is an estimate of the costs you will incur in order to attend school here at The University of TN Health Science Center (UTHSC). This will include amounts for tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. . Students cannot receive any sources of financial aid over and above their COA for an award year. Because of this regulation, students who receive awards that would make their total aid exceed their COA will have their loans reduced to prevent an over-award.

***Please Note: The Bursar’s Office does not apply Residency Status until registration occurs. Therefore if you are an out of state student, eligible for a discount,  it is possible that your account may be over awarded if you exceed your Total Cost of Attendance (COA) in students loans, grants or scholarships. Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to accepting an award to ensure that you will not be in an over-award status due receiving additional funding.

To submit all forms required to complete the application process in a timely and accurate manner and maintain copies for your records.

To notify UTHSC if you default on federal educational loans.To understand that we award most students financial aid based on a full-time status. If you enroll in less than a full-time status (graduate/professional= 9 credit hours, undergraduate= 12 credit hours) we are required to reduce your cost of attendance. This reduction of aid could occur after you have received your financial refund for the term. If so, you understand that some of that financial aid refund might be owed back to the institution due to your federal funds being reduced.

To have read the Federal Notices.

To know that certificate or other non-degree granting program are ineligible for federal financial aid such as, but not limited to, Federal Stafford loan, Federal Graduate PLUS loan, Federal Pell Grant and Federal SEOG Grant.

To notify UTHSC of all resources (especially outside resources) you receive that are not listed on your award letter.

To know that federal student aid funds received during the award year will be used solely for educational expenses related to attendance during the year.

You agree to notify the Office of Financial Aid if you are incarcerated during any term in which you are receiving financial aid.

If after filing your FAFSA you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs, you will notify FAO immediately.

Keep UTHSC informed of any change of address, name or marital status while you are a student.

To provide complete and correct information. You (and your parent or spouse, where appropriate) must confirm the accuracy of the information you provide. Information found to be incorrect may serve as the basis for increase, decrease or cancellation of aid. Information found to be knowingly falsified may result in disciplinary action or referral to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.

To pay any past due balances. Students must pay tuition, all fees and prior term balances by the due date listed on the Statement of Account. This includes the first installment of the Installment Plan. For more information visit the Bursar pages.

To meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and standards of UTHSC in order to maintain financial aid eligibility.

To repay all loans according to your repayment schedule. You are not eligible for financial aid if you are in default on any federal student loan.

To activate your UTHSC email account​. You must activate your UTHSC email account and regularly check your financial aid status, accessible via Banner Self-Service.​