Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program based on need as determined by FAFSA. The amount of the actual grant is based upon family contribution as determined by the federal government. You may apply for federal aid on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you do not have WEB access, you may call or email the VSCC Financial Aid Office and request a FAFSA application be mailed to you.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant(FSEOG) is a federally subsidized program. FSEOG is awarded to students with exceptional financial need as determined by FAFSA.

Federal Family Education Loan Programs

Federal Stafford Loans

A Federal Stafford Student Loan is a variable low-interest loan made to students to help cover their educational cost. There are two types of Stafford Loan: Subsidized - where the government pays the interest while the student is in school, deferment and grace period; Unsubsidized - where the student pays the interest while in school, deferment and grace period. The FAFSA application is used in making the determination as to whether the student is eligible for a subsidized loan or an unsubsidized loan. After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a six-month grace period before you begin repayment. Your lender will send you information about repayment.

Annual Loan Limits:
Freshman - $2,625.00 per academic year
Sophomore - $3,500.00 per academic year

Federal PLUS Loan Program

The Federal PLUS Loan Program provides a source of loan funds to the parents of dependent undergraduate students. Plus borrowers are required to file a FAFSA application. Parents can borrow up to the cost of education minus other financial aid for the student. The interest rate on PLUS loans is at a variable rate not to exceed 9%. Repayment on both principal and interest begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. There is no grace period for these loans. Interest will begin to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made.

Tennessee Student Assistance Awards

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1976. The purpose of the program is to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee and are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at an eligible post secondary educational institution in Tennessee. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. Maximum award amounts are determined by the TSAC Board of Directors prior to the beginning of the fall term. No student will receive an award greater than the amount of tuition and mandatory fees assessed by the institution attended.
In order to apply for the state grant, you must complete a FAFSA application prior to May 1 for the upcoming fall term.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program

To be considered for a Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship, students must be a 2003 or 2004 high school graduate attending an eligible Tennessee college/university. Students must submit theFAFSA as well as meet high school grade or ACT score requirements.

Administrative Grant

The Administrative Grant is funded in part by the state and by the institution, for African American students who do not qualify for enough Pell Grant funding to cover tuition and books. The Administrative Grant covers in-state registration fees and provides a book allotment to help cover the cost of required books. Students must first complete the FAFSA form to determine if eligible for federal funds and then complete an Administrative Grant Application with the Financial Aid Office. Applicants must be fully
accepted for admission to VSCC. Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to maintain eligibility for the Administrative Grant.

WorkForce Investment Act (WIA)

Eligible WIA recipients may receive various types of financial assistance as they pursue career training/retraining. Businesses, government, and schools work together to provide vocational or employability skills to those who are out of work or who need new skills/training to successfully enter the job market. Volunteer State Community College works in conjunction with those WIA agencies that are sponsoring these students here at VSCC. The Office of Special Adult Programs works to coordinate these effects and help with the transition of attending school.