Determining Eligibility

Following are a few basic steps that should be taken to qualify for federal and state financial assistance:

• Apply and be accepted for admission to Northeast State and select a major in an eligible program of study. Your admissions file must be complete before any financial assistance will be disbursed to you. Official copies of your high school transcript or GED Certificate as well as any academic transcripts from previously attended colleges should be requested and sent to the Office of Admissions & Records at Northeast State.
• Demonstrate need for financial assistance by filing the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 15th priority deadline. Students applying after this date may decrease or nullify their eligibility for some limited federal/state financial aid funds. (Note: The academic year for financial aid begins in the fall and ends the following summer.)
• Enroll in an eligible program of study. A limited number of certificate programs such as Industrial Operations and Entrepreneurship do not qualify for financial aid. Credits for audited and continuing education courses do not count in any financial aid eligibility calculation. Campus counselors or faculty advisors can provide program information. Applicants who do not possess a high school diploma or GED or who are dually enrolled in high school and at Northeast State are not eligible for federal financial aid. Those students who are dually enrolled may be eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship for Dual Enrolled Students.
• Make satisfactory progress in your program of study in accordance with the Northeast State Financial Aid Office Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.
• Seek advice and information about student financial assistance from the Northeast State Financial Aid Office.
• Be prepared to repay all or a portion of your federal and/or state financial aid if you fail to attend the entire term for which you have received financial assistance. Avoid or resolve any default on a federal educational loan.
• Do not make financial commitments other than deferment of institutional charges on the basis of anticipated financial aid. Loans, grants, and scholarships are to be used to satisfy tuition and fees before any monies are refunded to students.
• Report to the Financial Aid Office all scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance you receive or anticipate receiving from organizations, government agencies, and private donors.
• Financial aid funds received in excess of fees credited to your account should first be used to buy any books and supplies that are required for your classes.