Decode Your Financial Aid Offer
Financial Aid
Next Steps
After you receive your UT financial aid offer, follow this guide to make sure you complete all the necessary steps and are ready for Rocky Top!
Accept Federal Work-Study and Loans
To accept your Federal Work-Study offer and Student Loans:
- Log in to your MyUTK account using your NetID and password
- Click on “Continue to MyUTK”
- Click on “Accept Award Offer” in the “My Financial Information” section
- Select the 2025-26 aid year
- Read and follow the on-screen prompts to accept or decline your Federal Work-Study and student loan offers
Confirm Your Enrollment by May 1
Next, make it official and confirm your enrollment! Pay the $250 enrollment deposit by May 1, 2025. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, but will be credited toward your first semester costs.
Send Your Final High School Transcript(s) and Official ACT/SAT Scores by July 1
If you’re an incoming first-year or transfer student, we must receive your final high school transcript(s) with your official graduation date and official test scores by July 1, 2025 to confirm your financial aid eligibility.
Your financial aid package and scholarships may decrease, change, or not be available if your final high school transcript(s) and official test scores are not received or if there are inaccuracies.
This step does not apply to returning UT students or transfer students.
Please note: It can take up to eight weeks for test scores to be received and processed by the university. We recommend you take your final standardized test no later than May 1 to ensure UT receives and processes them by July 1.
In-State HOPE Scholarship Students
Make UT Knoxville your first choice for the HOPE Scholarship in your TSAC portal to receive the most accurate estimate of state financial aid (HOPE, GAMS, etc.).
Add an Authorized User to Your Account (recommended)
An Authorized User (AU) can make payments on your account and talk to One Stop about financial aid offers, billing statements and payments, verification, and other requirements needed to stay on track.
UT cannot share your financial records with third parties unless you give authorization. If you don’t have an AU set up, you are the only one who can get updates and take action steps for financial aid, billing and payment, etc.
Set Up an E-Refund Account (recommended)
We recommend that you set up a direct deposit for excess financial aid in MyUTK. This will help you quickly receive excess aid directly to your bank account.
Keep Your Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal, state, and university regulations require students who are receiving financial aid to show progress toward completing their degree. This policy, referred to as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), must include a qualitative measure, such as a cumulative GPA, and a quantitative measure, such as a maximum time frame to complete a degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Course Program of Study (CPOS)
Additionally, UT follows Course Program of Study (CPOS) regulations. CPOS is a federal requirement by the US Department of Education that states that students are eligible for their full federal or state financial aid if they take a minimum of 12 credit hours of eligible courses within their declared major each semester. CPOS does not apply to institutional aid and other scholarships.
Course Program of Study (CPOS)
Additional Financial Aid Retention Requirements
Different scholarships and types of aid may have different retention requirements. Carefully review each type of aid and scholarship you receive to understand what you must do to keep your aid.
How to View Award in MyUTK
- Log in to MyUTK using your NetID and password
- Select “Continue to MyUTK”
- Select “Accept Award Offer” in the “My Financial Information” section
- Select the current financial aid year
- Follow the on-screen prompts to view and accept or decline your award offer
Scholarship Information
UT offers many scholarship opportunities for students. Learn more about the individual scholarship(s) and their requirements using our scholarship search!
Additional Funding Options
UT offers many scholarship opportunities for students. Learn more about the individual scholarship(s) and their requirements using our scholarship search!
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) allows eligible students to earn income by working part-time. This program offers flexible work hours to fit your school and life schedule, professional development, and additional income!
FWS offers many on-campus and off-campus positions to fit your interests. The amount you receive is determined by your remaining need and how many hours you work. The FWS program is first-come, first-serve, so accept your offer as soon as possible!
Are you interested in participating in FWS, but it wasn’t included in your financial aid offer? Contact One Stop!
External Grants/Scholarships
There are many grants and scholarships offered outside the university and federal/state governments. We recommend you research and apply for external grants and scholarships using Career One Stop*.
*Career One Stop is a third-party organization and is not affiliated with UT Knoxville.
Deferred Payment Plan
UT offers an incremental payment option called a Deferred Payment Plan (DPP). This plan requires students to pay 50% of the account balance (after financial aid has been applied) plus a $30 service charge at the time of DPP enrollment. After the initial 50% payment, there will be two more 25% payment installments in the following months.Students must re-enroll and pay the 50% by the payment due date each semester.
Federal Student, Parent & Private Loans
We encourage you to budget based on the financial aid listed in your letter, but there are loan options that can help supplement your scholarships and grants.
If you are a first-time federal loan borrower, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling with the Department of Education.
We are here to help! If you are considering student loans, we encourage you to connect with the Center for Financial Wellness (CFW). The CFW team can provide guidance and resources to set you up for financial success!
Veteran’s Benefits
If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible for educational benefits through a GI Bill program! Learn more by visiting UT’s Veterans Success Center.
Explore your options, apply for benefits, and more through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Discounts and Waivers
If you’re employed by the state of Tennessee or UT, you may be eligible for discounts and waivers. Employee fee waivers are contingent on your pay status on the first day of classes each term.
If you work for a private employer, you may be eligible for discounted tuition or reimbursement. Please contact your employer’s Human Resources office for more information.
If You Are Selected for Verification
We are here to help you every step of the way! Visit our financial aid verification webpage for information and resources to successfully complete this process by the July 1 deadline.
Paying & Billing Information
Visit our payment and billing webpage to stay on track with all of the important dates and deadlines that impact your bill and payment due date.
Helpful Resources
We encourage you to use the resources below for financial aid help and overall financial wellness.
Compare College Financing Plans
The financing plan in MyUTK provides a template for you to compare your UT financial aid offer with offers from other colleges.
- Log in to MyUTK using your NetID and Password
- Click on the “Self-Service” tab in the “My Financial Information” section
- Follow on-screen prompts to compare your financial aid offers
Center for Financial Wellness
An amazing UT resource, the Center for Financial Wellness (CFW) is here to help you pursue life-long financial health! Their team provides learning and coaching opportunities and resources to help you grasp financial success. If you have questions about budgeting, student loans, or finances, contact the CFW or schedule an appointment.
GradReady
The CFW’s dynamic GradReady program provides real-world finance tools that allow you to consolidate your loans, create personalized budgets, and access other valuable resources.
One Stop Student Services
One Stop can answer your admissions, financial aid and scholarships, registration and records, and billing and payment questions.
Contact One Stop if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- Not attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Enrolled less than full-time for either fall or spring semesters
- Attending for one term only
- A third-party (sponsor) is paying toward your tuition and fees
- You have official documentation for additional funding
- You want to change your decision after you have accepted/declined your financial aid offer
Important Dates & Deadlines
July 1
- Financial documents are due
- Log in to your MyUTK and click on “TN HOPE, SAP & Requirements” in the “My Financial Information” section to view any required documents
- Final high school transcripts with graduation dates are due
- Official, verified ACT/SAT test scores are due
- Financial Aid Verification documents are due
Mid-July
Fall tuition and fees will be available to view in MyUTK. Make sure you stay up-to-date with each term’s billing and payment dates and deadlines.
August 1
- Deadline to accept Direct Student Loans
- Deadline to submit External Scholarships to UT for on-time disbursement
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about your financial aid offer, check out our list of FAQs below! If you still have questions, contact One Stop.
Who should I contact if I have scholarships that are not listed in my letter?
For institutional scholarships, contact One Stop.
For departmental scholarships, contact the academic departments if the scholarships have not been added to your account by mid-July.
External scholarships will not appear on your financial aid offer. These will appear in MyUTK once the scholarship is processed by the university.
External scholarship documentation should be sent to UT as soon as possible to allow time for processing before the payment due date.
How do I start Federal Work-Study?
If you are eligible for and have accepted your Federal Work-Study (FWS) offer in MyUTK, you will be contacted via your UT email to begin the onboarding process. After you complete onboarding, you’ll be able to apply for jobs!
What are the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?
Our Loans webpage explains the differences between Types of Loans, Loan Limits, Perkins Loans, and Next Steps.
What are “Loan Entrance Counseling” and “Master Promissory Note” requirements?
You are required by the federal government to complete Loan Entrance Counseling to ensure you understand the obligations of taking out a loan. You must also complete the Master Promissory Note—a legal document in which you promise to repay your federal student loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to your lender or loan holder. If your parent applies for a Parent PLUS loan, your parent must complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note.
Loans will not apply to your UT account until you complete both the Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov. We encourage you to complete these steps as soon as possible so your loan will apply to your account in time for the fall 2025 payment due date.
Do I have to accept the entire loan amount listed on my financial aid award?
No – you can accept all or just a portion of your loans in MyUTK, including only the fall or spring portions. We encourage you to be a responsible borrower and plan your budget around payment and repayment.
What if my financial aid offer doesn’t cover my entire cost of attendance?
We encourage you to budget based on the financial aid listed in your offer letter. Make sure you have read through the additional payment and funding options listed above.
Do I have to participate if I was selected for financial aid verification?
If you have been randomly selected by the US Department of Education for verification, you are required to participate. Your signature on the FAFSA signifies your agreement to provide proof of your application information.
You will not be eligible for federal, state, and some institutional funds until the verification process is complete.
If I’m selected for financial aid verification, where do I send my documentation?
Our Financial Aid Verification web page outlines your next steps, including document delivery instructions, for Financial Aid Verification.
Will my residency classification affect my eligibility for financial aid?
Many factors, including your residency classification, affect your financial aid eligibility. If you have questions about residency regulations, please refer to the Student Residency Classification page. If you have additional questions or concerns, contact the residency team at residency@utk.edu.
What do I do if I have excess financial aid?
Our Refunds and Excess Aid web page provides step-by-step instructions for setting up direct deposit so your excess financial aid is quickly added to your banking accounts.
Related Links
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Fax: 865-946-3223
Phone calls:
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