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College Planning
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Find a College
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Step-by-Step Guide
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Disability Resources
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The College Going Process
Everything involved in applying for college.
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Money For College
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About Financial Aid
What is financial aid- and how do you get it?
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Tennessee Financial Aid
Financial aid available in Tennessee.
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How to Fill Out the FAFSA
Tips and information for filling out your FAFSA.
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Lifestyle Calculator
A short quiz to learn what you'll need to earn.
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Financial Aid Myths
Separating financial aid fact from fiction.
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Money Saving Tips
Learn how to keep more money in your pocket.
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School Resources
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Adult & Parent Resources
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Parents
Resources for parents of students.
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Adult Learners
Where to start if you're an adult student.
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WHAT IS
FINANCIAL AID?
Financial aid is money to help you pay for college. It may be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, work-study programs, or a combination. The aid comes from federal and state governments, colleges and universities, banks, and private organizations.
Sources of Financial Aid
Applying to receive financial aid is a separate process from applying for admission to a college; you have to do both. For all government aid, and much private and institutional aid, you apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Very few students get all of their financial aid for college from one source. When you are searching for financial aid, consider a wide variety of options and apply to as many programs as possible.
YOUR COLLEGE
Colleges and universities offer financial aid programs for their students. Visit the financial aid webpages of every college you are considering and apply for all of the scholarships you think you might be eligible to receive.
YOUR COMMUNITY
Nonprofit organizations, foundations, and businesses often provide scholarships as a community service. To find these programs talk to your counselor.
Grants
Grants are free money that don’t have to be repaid. Grants come from the state and federal government and colleges. Generally, grants are based on financial need—i.e., awarded based on your family’s size and financial circumstances, like the Pell Grant. For 2019-20, the maximum grant available to students with the most financial need was $6,195.* To earn a Pell Grant, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and must complete the FAFSA. *This amount may change every year.
Scholarships
Scholarships are also free money and don’t need to be repaid. Scholarships can come from a variety of places, from state and federal governments to colleges and private companies. Scholarships may be awarded based on your financial need, academic achievement, community service, athletic talent, and many other factors.
Loans
Loans are money that you borrow from a bank, government, or private lending company. A loan must be repaid with interest. Loans offered by the government often have lower interest rates and can be repaid over an extended period of time. Visit www.studentloans.gov for more information.
Work-Study
Work-Study allows you to receive funds through part-time employment while you are enrolled in college and can help you pay part of your college costs. Unlike other campus jobs, students apply for Work-Study by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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About Financial Aid
You will be redirected to complete your FAFSA. Once you have completed your FAFSA, you have applied for the Tennessee Hope Scholarship. Click here to learn more about How to Fill Out Your FAFSA.
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About Financial Aid
You will be redirected to the TSAC Student Portal. Applying for a scholarship (example: the Tennessee Promise) is not complete once a student portal account has been created. Next, you must re-enter your Username and Password and answer the challenge question. Once you have accepted the “User Agreement”, click the “Apply for Scholarships” button and then click the appropriate scholarship program to complete and submit the online application.
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