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The Office of Financial Aid provides a broad spectrum of programs to assist students in financing their college education. The University is committed to providing access to students through a variety of resources, which include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

Early application every year remains the most important action in securing funds to assist with financing the student’s education. As soon as possible, complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application will require an average processing time of 2-3 weeks. We recommend (not require) that you complete your Federal Income Tax Return before completing the FAFSA.

Steps to Streamline the Financial Aid Application Process

  1. Complete the FAFSA, every year, as soon as possible after January 1, using the required, accurate taxed and untaxed income information. The application can be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. List ETSU as a school choice using the Title IV school code 003487.

    Information from the 2009-10 FAFSA will be used to determine aid eligibility for the Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010 semesters. April 15 is the priority deadline for financial aid files to be complete in the Office of Financial Aid at ETSU to ensure timely receipt of funds for Fall semester. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will cause a delay in the process. Students who apply after July 1 should not anticipate that aid funds will be available by the beginning of the Fall semester to assist them with their cost of education. These students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for information on alternate sources of funding. If the student has attended a previous college, ETSU will review the student's financial aid record electronically with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Discrepancies will be resolved by requesting a financial aid transcript from the student's previous institution(s).

  2. The student may submit the results of the FAFSA, called the Student Aid Report (SAR), to the Office of Financial Aid; however, if the student listed ETSU on the FAFSA, the University will receive the data electronically and the student is not required to submit a SAR to the Office of Financial Aid. The SAR is mailed or emailed to the student from the federal processor. The student should review the SAR for completion and accuracy.

    If selected for verification, the student must complete a verification worksheet and submit copies of the parent(s)'/student's/spouse's IRS 1040 tax returns and W-2 forms, as well as any other untaxed income documentation, to the Office of Financial Aid. The University may also request other information as necessary to complete the verification process.

  3. Scholarship applications vary according to each program. Students are encouraged to apply early and be observant of each program’s individual requirements and deadlines. Please review the ETSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Brochure every year. The priority deadline for making application for scholarships is March 1 (or the first business day in March if the 1st falls on a weekend), unless otherwise stated by the program. Applications received after the priority deadline will not be processed. The ETSU Scholarship Application is used for most scholarships. Students should check with each program for individual requirements.

  4. All students borrowing at ETSU from the Federal Stafford and Federal Perkins Loan Programs are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling, which may be done electronically.  For Stafford loans, complete your online Entrance Loan Counseling at http://www.dl.ed.gov/. For the Perkins Loan complete your online Entrance Loan Counseling at http://mappingyourfuture.org/oslc. Confirmation of online completion of Stafford or Perkins Entrance Counseling will be sent electronically to the Office of Financial Aid at ETSU. Entrance Loan Counseling is mandatory before receiving loan funds for the first time while attending ETSU. Entrance Loan Counseling must be completed at ETSU, for loans to be received at ETSU, regardless of whether or not loan counseling has been completed at a another institution. Federal regulations also require all student loan borrowers to participate in Exit Loan Counseling after dropping below half-time enrollment status, withdrawing, or graduating.