Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application as soon as possible after October 1st each year.

Pell Grant- The FAFSA must be received by the processor no earlier than October 1st and no later than June 30th of the following year. All required forms must be received by the Financial Aid Office by June 30th or your last day of enrollment, whichever comes first.

Tennessee Promise- Before November 1 for new applicants (Fall before the graduating high school senior graduates) and before  February 1 of each year after.

Tennessee Reconnect- Same deadlines as Wilder Naifeh Technical Skills Grant listed below.

Wilder Naifeh Technical Skills Grant- Students must have a processed FAFSA on or before the following deadline dates to be eligible for the award. Students whose applications are processed after the deadline date may be eligible for the WNTSG for subsequent terms.

Fall term deadline-November 1st /Spring term deadline - March 1st/Summer term deadline- July 1st

Tennessee Student Assistant Award- Due to funding limitations, the TSAA is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and is based on the FAFSA completion date. Therefore, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Prior-year recipients (renewals) will receive the award if they meet all eligibility requirements and complete the FAFSA on or before January 17. After January 17, remaining funds will be awarded to the neediest applicants who apply by January 17 based on the availability of funds. Awards are made until funds are depleted.

Additional Rules and Requirements for the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive funds from the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant (WNTSG) a student must meet the following eligibility requirements in addition to those listed above.

• Must be a Tennessee resident. State residency is determined using TBR Rule 02402-2  https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0240/0240.htm  
• Must not be incarcerated
• Must meet the enrollment requirements for both the school and the program (Do not have to have a high school diploma or GED if not required for enrollment in the school or program. Also, a student that possesses a bachelor’s degree or higher may be eligible for the WNTSG)
• Must be enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or diploma. Continuing education and supplemental certificate programs are not eligible.
• Must never have completed a previous certificate or diploma program with Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant funding or had a break in enrollment while receiving the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.

Note: Students may enroll as full-time or part-time. There is no income limit for eligibility. Students may receive the WNTSG for all coursework required for completion of the certificate or diploma.

Calculation of WNTSG Award: The maximum WNTSG award may vary from year to year. This amount is subject to availability of funds from the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program. The WNTSG funds will be paid each term in the academic year. The amount of the award will be prorated based on the number of scheduled hours for each term. The amount of the award will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

Receipt of student financial aid from other sources will not reduce the WNTSG award if the student’s total aid does not exceed the total cost of attendance. If a student’s total aid exceeds the cost of attendance, the school shall, to the extent it does not violate applicable federal regulations, reduce the excess by reducing the student’s WNTSG.

Retention of WNTSG Award: To continue to be eligible for WNTSG funds a student must meet the following requirements:

• Continue to meet all eligibility requirements as stated above
• Reapply each year using the FAFSA by the application deadline date
• Maintain continuous enrollment (unless a leave of absence or military mobilization leave is granted for the WNTSG)
• Maintain enrollment status during the term (unless a change in status is granted)
• Maintain satisfactory progress according to standards used for financial aid purposes. Students must meet grade and attendance requirements as well as the 150% timeframe requirement.

Note: Once the student becomes ineligible for WNTSG for any reason, the student shall not be eligible to regain the WNTSG.