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    • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    Financial Aid

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open! The UT Knoxville FAFSA Priority Filing Date is March 3, 2025. File your FAFSA by this date to be eligible for the maximum amount of financial aid.

    What to Know About the 2025-26 FAFSA

    • The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open!
    • Prepare to file the FAFSA.
      • Have your FSA ID ready.
      • Use UT’s federal school code – 003530, when you file.
      • Bookmark this webpage to learn more about the 2025-26 FAFSA as the Department of Education releases more information.

    Don’t forget! UT students need to complete their FAFSA every year to apply for or remain eligible for most types of aid, including grants, need-based scholarships, Federal Work-Study, the HOPE scholarship, loans, and more.

    FAFSA Virtual Support

    Did you miss our FAFSA Facebook Live on February 4? Don’t worry – you can watch it here! Our team covers important details about the 2025-2026 FAFSA and answers frequently-asked questions. 

    Filed your FAFSA? Enter our giveaway!

    Have you already filed your FAFSA? Let us know and you’ll be entered to win a prize! Students who file by the UT Priority Filing Date of March 3 may be eligible to win a prize from a selection of exclusive VolShop merchandise.

    Scan the QR codes posted at One Stop and the Center for Financial Wellness and fill out a quick form to be entered to win a drawing.

    FAFSA FAQs

    Am I Pell Eligible?

    Pell Grant eligibility is calculated based on the poverty guidelines, your parents’ income, your family size, how much you may be able to pay, and how much you need. Make sure you file your FAFSA to find out if you are Pell eligible!

    What are EFC and SAI?

    Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced by Student Aid Index (SAI). SAI determines the amounts and types of aid you are eligible for.

    What does IRS Consent Mean?

    The FAFSA automatically pulls in income tax information, making user errors less likely, and helping ensure the information is correct. This step requires consent from both the student and parent. Consent is just giving permission for your IRS data to automatically link to your form.

    Which Parent Should File?

    If your parents are separated or divorced, the parent or guardian that provides the most financial support to you will file. If your parents/guardians file their income tax together, it doesn’t matter which files. Once you begin filing, the FAFSA has a “Parent Wizard” tool to help you figure out which parent/guardian needs to file with you.

    What Were the Major Changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA?

    The new FAFSA format is shorter, with fewer questions for students and parents/guardians to answer, and easier to file, due to the automatic income tax data import that improves filing accuracy and means less manual work and fewer errors.

    Transfer Students

    Are you planning to transfer to UT in the middle of the academic year? Here are important steps to take:

    • Talk to your current school about canceling your financial aid for the rest of the year
    • Make sure UT is listed on your FAFSA application for the current academic year (our school code is 003530)
    • If you are a recipient of the Tennessee Student Assistance Award, HOPE Scholarship, and/or other funds from the Tennessee Lottery, visit Tennessee’s website to update your school information with the state