Financial Aid

Financial Aid Refund, Withdrawal, and Repayment Policies Appeals

The purpose of the Financial Aid Office is to support and assist students in completing their educational goals. Financial Aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.  Most federal and state financial aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need.  Need is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is determined by a standard formula established by the federal government.

• Complete the Fee Application for Federal Student (FAFSA);
• Apply and be admitted to Chattanooga State;
• Declare an eligible major (degree or certificate) for financial aid;
• Complete Chattanooga State Financial Aid student requirements listed on the student’s Tigerweb account;
• Enroll in classes;
• Confirm you are attending.

Types of aid available are listed below; refer to the Financial Aid website for details.

• Grants: Federal PELL Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Tennessee Student Assistance Award Academic Competitiveness Grant
• Scholarships: Tennessee Lottery Scholarships, Chattanooga State Scholarships (Academic Service, Foundation, and Empowerment)
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Work Study

Financial Aid Refund, Withdrawal, and Repayment Policies

Withdrawal and Repayment

The Financial Aid Office encourages students to read the withdrawal policy carefully to understand your financial responsibility if you change your enrollment status.  Students considering withdrawing from all classes should contact the Financial Aid Office to review how the withdrawal will affect his/her financial aid and possible repayment. Financial aid is paid to students based on the student’s attendance.  There are unforeseen events that can occur in a student’s life that may result in the withdrawal from college.  If this occurs, it is important you follow the proper steps to withdraw and understand the policy.

Federal Regulations

• Students that receive Federal Title IV Financial Aid and withdraws from school during the period of enrollment in which they began attendance must return the percentage of unearned funds.
• The Financial Aid Office recalculates the amount of Financial Aid a student is authorized to receive when a student officially withdraws from college OR stops attending all classes.
• A student changing their enrollment status within the first 14 days of the semester will have their financial aid automatically adjusted to the adjusted enrollment.  The student is responsible for any balance due on the student’s account created by the enrollment change.

Repayment Policy

• The Financial Aid Office will notify the student of the amount of repayment due within 30 days of determining the student’s withdrawal date.
• The student must make repayment in full or make repayment arrangements with the Chattanooga State Bursar Office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards For Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

When students accept financial aid, they accept responsibility for making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students must be in compliance with the SAP Policies as a condition of initial and continuing receipt of funds.

Students attending credit classes eligible for financial aid.

I. Completion Rate

1. Students must earn a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted at the end of each semester. Grades of A, B, C, or D count as earned credit.
2. All other grade values of (W, I, F, PR and AU) are not passing grades and will count against the student.

II. Cumulative Grade Point Average

• Financial aid recipients must meet the college’s good standing requirements in order to maintain eligibility.  To be enrolled in  good standing, a student must earn the minimum cumulative combined grade point average (GPA) below for the total number of  semester credit hours attempted, as shown below.

^{(The hours attempted include developmental and collegiate hours)}

• GPA is calculated when grades are processed at the end of each semester.

III. Time Limitations

1. A student will be allowed to receive financial assistance until he/she has attempted a maximum of 150% of the hours required to complete their program of study. Most associate degree programs require 60 hours; therefore the maximum attempted hours are 90. The calculation of attempted hours will include all hours transferred to Chattanooga State as well as all hours attempted at Chattanooga State.
2. The maximum time limitation is reviewed at the end of each semester.

IV. Notification

1. Students can review their current Financial Aid academic progress status on their Tigerweb account. Satisfactory Academic Standards can be found on the Financial Aid website.
2. When it is determined a student is ineligible (suspended) for financial aid, they will be notified via their Tigerweb account.

V. Appeal Process

1. A student may request an appeal when suspended from receiving financial aid when they fail to meet SAP standards. The appeal must be in writing and must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation.
2. Documentation must include extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that significantly contributed to their academic performance.
3. All appeals are reviewed by the Appeals Committee.
4. A student whose financial aid is reinstated as the result of an approved appeal must meet all conditions established in order to continue student aid eligibility.
5. All decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.
6. Final decision of the Appeals Committee is posted to the student’s Tigerweb account.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for students attending the Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Qualitative Standards

• A grade of “C” or better is required for programs with letter grades.

Quantitative Standards

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Students

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs count as one academic year in length.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)students must complete 91% of the enrolled hours to remain eligible for financial aid.

Time Frame

The maximum time frame for a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)student to receive financial aid is 1.5 times the number of clock hours needed to complete the program.

Appeals for Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Appeal process is the same for all students attending Chattanooga State.