As of July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans were eliminated. Interim exceptions are in place for pre-OB3 borrowers. Please reach out to a financial aid counselor for help navigating this change.
Federal, state, and institutional regulations limit the duration and amount of eligibility for certain types of financial aid.
It is important that each student know and understand these limits.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
| Class | Annual Limits | Aggregate Limits | Lifetime Limits | ||||
| Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Subsidized | Unsubsidized |
|
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| For dependent students with NO Parent PLUS Loan denial | Additional for independent students -OR- dependent students WITH a Parent PLUS Loan denial | For dependent students with NO Parent PLUS Loan denial | Additional for independent students -OR- dependent students WITH a Parent PLUS Loan denial | ||||
| Freshman | $3,500 | $2,000 | $6,000 | $23,000 | $8,000 | $34,500 | |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,000 | ||||
| Junior | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,000 | ||||
| Senior | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,000 | ||||
| Graduate/Professional | N/A | $20,500 (Graduate)$50,000 (Professional) | N/A | $100,000 (Graduate)$200,000 (Professional) | $257,500 (includes all loans) | ||
| Parent PLUS | Annual | Aggregate |
| Per dependent student | $20,000 | $65,000 |
Federal Perkins Loans
FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
If you have received a Perkins Loan in the past and have questions, please contact
ECSI Federal Perkins Loan Servicer. You may also contact the ETSU Bursar’s Office at 423-439-4212, or Bursar@etsu.edu.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
As of July 1. 2026, a parent can borrow a max of $20,000 per year, per dependent student that cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance. There is a lifetime limit of $65,000 per dependent student. Interim exceptions apply to prior borrowers.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan Limited Exceptions
If a borrower has a Federal Direct Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a program of study, the pre-OB3 loan limits continue to apply for 3 academic years or the remainder of their expected time to credential, whichever is less. The exception is lost if a student withdraws or ceases enrollment.
Pell Grant
The duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant is 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). Pell Grant is available to ETSU Undergraduate Students only. Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, students who have a Student Aid Index (SAI) that is at least twice the Pell Grant maximum award of $7,395 (SAI - 14, 790) and/or have scholarships that meet or exceed their full cost of attendance are no longer eligible to receive the Pell Grant.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Award recipients at ETSU may receive TSAA awards for a maximum of 8 semesters or until the program of study is complete (whichever comes first).
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship
Students can receive a TELS award until the first of the following occurs:
- The student earns a baccalaureate degree (effective through June 30, 2023)
- Five years have passed since the student initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution
- The student earns an advanced degree (effective beginning July 1, 2023)
Maximum Eligibility
According to the ETSU Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy:
"Maximum eligibility is reviewed each semester. If a student has attempted enough hours to graduate, and has not graduated, a warning email will be sent to the student at their ETSU email, reminding them of maximum eligibility standards. Students who have attempted 150% of the required credit hours for their degree will become ineligible for financial aid."
NOTE: 2nd degree students and Undergraduate/Graduate Special students have different maximum eligibility requirements. Please review the ETSU SAP Policy.