Types of Financial Aid

1. Pell Grant
2. Tennessee State Assistance Award (TSAA)
3. Tennessee Hope Scholarship
4. Tennessee Promise Scholarship
5. TN Reconnect Scholarship
6. Stafford Loans
7. Military, VA, and Voc Rehab

Federal Pell Grant

A Pell grant is funded by the federal government and does not have to be repaid. The Pell Grant may only be awarded to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor’s degree. The award amount is based on a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA and enrollment status. Students’ awards will be adjusted based on number of hours enrolled if less than full-time (12 hours). The U.S. Department of Education guarantees that eligible students will receive their awarded amount. An otherwise eligible student can receive the Federal Pell Grant until the earliest of a bachelor’s degree or until the student has received the Federal Pell Grant for an equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. This limitation includes the percentage of Federal Pell Grant the student has received from all post- secondary institutions.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee. The TSAA is a state-funded grant program and includes funds from the Tennessee Education Lottery.

To be eligible, the applicant must:
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, and have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 2100 or less, and be a Tennessee resident, if a dependent student, parents must also be a Tennessee resident, and be enrolled at least half time at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution and maintain institutional satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices of the institution, and not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on any grant previously received at any institution, and not previously received a baccalaureate degree.

To receive priority consideration:
Students are strongly encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa as soon as possible after January 1 each year. Starting with the 2014-2015 academic year, prior-year recipients (renewals) will receive the award if they meet all eligibility requirements and complete the FAFSA on or before March 1. After March 1, remaining funds will be awarded to the neediest applicants who apply by March 1 based on the availability of funds. Awards are made until funds are depleted.

Tennessee Hope Scholarship

Entering freshmen must meet the following requirements:

• Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Applications must be received by September 1st for fall semester,
  January 1st for spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended.
• Have been a Tennessee resident for one year by September 1 of the application date. For students beginning spring and summer terms, residency determined by January 1 as of application date, Graduate from a TN eligible high school. Exceptions may be granted to TN residents who graduate from high schools located in states other than
  Tennessee. They include:

   

  • High schools located in bordering out-of-state counties;
  • High schools in which dependents of active duty military members or civilian
    workers of the US Department of Defense, Tennessee National Guard on active duty may attend-Members of the Armed Forces or TN National Guard must have Tennessee as the Home of Record at the time of entry into military service.
  • High schools in which dependents of full-time religious workers in foreign nations may attend;
  • Out-of-state boarding schools that are regionally accredited or accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
• Enroll in one of the Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges.
• Entering freshmen must achieve a minimum of a 21 ACT (980 SAT), exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests OR Overall weighted* minimum 3.0 grade
  point average (GPA)
• Home School graduates – minimum 21 ACT (980 SAT), exclusive of the essay and
  optional subject area battery tests
• GED ® recipients – minimum 21 ACT (980 SAT), exclusive of the essay and optional
  subject area battery tests and qualifying GED ® score. Minimum Revised GED ® score is 170.
• HiSet recipients – minimum 21 ACT (980 SAT), exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests and qualifying HiSet score. Minimum HiSet score is 15.
• ACT/SAT exams must be taken on a national test date or state test date and prior to the first day of college enrollment after high school graduation. The ACT Residual test is not accepted.
• Must enroll within 16 months following high school graduation at any postsecondary institution. However, enrollment at an ineligible postsecondary institution during the 16 months will make the student permanently ineligible.

*Weighted grade point average means a grade point average on a 4.0 scale calculated with additional internal quality points awarded for advanced placement, honors or other similar courses according to the Uniform Grading Policy adopted by the State Board of Education.

Tennessee Promise Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements:
Tennessee resident/U.S. citizen/students who graduate from an eligible high School, homeschool, or earn a GED/HISET(prior to 19th birthday) can receive an award at an eligible postsecondary institution toward tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been first applied. High School students must attend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program. College students must attend full-time, continue to participate in the mentoring program, perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received and complete the FAFSA by the state determined deadline.

Award Facts:
Award amount varies based on amount of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been applied. Please note your benefit for Tennessee Promise does not cover last dollar at John A. Gupton College.

TN Reconnect

Eligibility Requirements:
Tennessee resident for one (1) year prior to date of application; file the FAFSA by the State of Tennessee determined deadline date and be classified as an independent student; enroll in a federal Title IV eligible curriculum of courses leading to a certificate or associate degree; not have previously earned an associate degree or baccalaureate degree; enroll in and attend at least six (6) hours at an eligible institution; maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the academic year as determined by the institution; and participate in a college success program, as determined by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

Award Facts:
Award amount varies based on amount of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has first been applied.  Please note your benefit for TN Reconnect does not cover last dollar at John A. Gupton College.

 

Federal Stafford Loan

There are two Stafford Loan programs available for undergraduate student borrowers.
The Subsidized Stafford Loan is a federal loan that must be repaid, but the interest is paid for by the government rather than the borrower while the student is enrolled in school. The ability to receive the Subsidized Stafford Loan is based on calculated need as determined by the FAFSA. The current interest rate is 2.75%.

The Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is also a federal loan that must be repaid. If the student is not eligible for the Subsidized Stafford Loan, as determined by the results of the FAFSA, the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan will be used to meet the student’s borrowing eligibility as determined by the Federal Stafford Loan limits listed below. “Unsubsidized” means that interest will accrue while the student is enrolled in school. The student can choose to pay the interest while in school or defer the interest and have it added to the principal balance after the student completes his/her schooling. The interest rate is determined by the federal government and is currently 2.75% for undergraduate students.

Currently, the Department of Education charges a 1.057% origination fee for all Stafford Loans.

First-time Stafford Loan borrowers are required to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note with the Department of Education at https://studentaid.gov/  To log in, you will need your FAFSA FSA ID. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Military, VA, Voc Rehab Benefits

The Financial Aid office administers the Military, VA, Voc Rehab Benefits. Both Associate Degree programs at John A. Gupton College are approved by the state-approving agency for all eligible persons under the laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Please bring a copy of your DD-214 and Certification of Eligibility to the Financial Aid office. Your information will be entered into the VA-Once system for payment.

John A Gupton enrolled students that have completed a FAFSA and are using Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits will be given a Financial Aid Shopping Sheet. The Shopping Sheet is a standardized form designed to help students make informed decisions about funding their education.