Grants
The Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduates based on financial need and the number of hours enrolled each semester. No other aid will be awarded until Pell Grant eligibility (the student's need) has been determined. Regulations and provisions of the Pell Grant Program are subject to change by federal legislative action.
Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant
The AC Grant is available to full-time freshman and sophomore Pell Grant recipients that are U.S. citizens and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. Freshmen must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2006 and the maximum award is $750 per academic year. Sophomores must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2005, must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA after their first year of college study, and the maximum award is $1300 per academic year. Click here for information regarding the state of Tennessees recognized rigorous secondary school program of study. Read the U.S. Department of Education press release for more information.
Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
The SMART Grant is available to full-time junior and senior Pell Grant recipients that are U.S. citizens and are pursuing a major in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language. Recipients must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA each year. The maximum award is $4000 per academic year. The TSU Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility and award accordingly. Read the U.S. Department of Education press release for more information.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The TEACH Grant program is available as of the 2008-09 school year. The award amount is up to $4,000 per academic year with a maximum lifetime limit of $16,000. Academic requirements: student must have at least a 3.25 GPA for each term. and be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program at TSU. Agreement to serve/promise to pay: The student must teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of completing program as a (1) highly qualified teacher; (2) at a Title I school; (3) in a specified subject area (mathematics, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, special education, as a reading specialist, or other "high-need" fields). You must meet the state's definition of a full-time teacher and spend the majority (at least 51 percent) of your time teaching one of the high-need subject areas. Elementary school teachers who teach many subjets would not be able to fulfill their service agreement. If service is not met: the grant must be repaid as an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan, with interest from the date(s) of original disbursement. Students should not underestimate the repercussions of not fulfilling his/her agreement to serve. Click here for more information.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This federal grant program is awarded on a first come first served basis to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) Grant
Tennessee's grant program is awarded to eligible Tennessee residents whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is 2,100 or less. Funds are limited and awarded on a first come first served basis. You will receive an award notification from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation if you qualify for this grant. If you have completed the FAFSA but TSU is not listed first, you must change your school listing on your FAFSA to show TSU as your first school. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov; using your PIN, go to the page listing schools and put TSU in on the top line (our school code is 003522); submit to FAFSA. In a week to 10 days check your TSAC Account at http://www.tn.gov/CollegePays/stud_par/stu_par.htm and click on Student Inquiry to verify your school change.