How Aid Works
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers financial assistance to students in the form of federal and state programs that provide scholarships, grants, loans and student service positions to assist eligible students in pursuing their academic goals.
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money offered to help students meet educationally related expenses. Aid is usually provided by or through federal and state agencies, foundations, corporations, and the universities.
The amounts and types of financial aid that students receive are determined through federal, state, and local guidelines.
Financial aid is intended for those in need of it based on their economic circumstances, and we take steps to ensure the integrity of our programs are not jeopardized. Federal Student Aid is to be used for education related expenses. Falsifying information on the FAFSA may result in significant fines and imprisonment.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance used to calculate financial need for purposes of financial aid disbursement is an estimate of a student's educational expenses for an Academic Year. The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.
The actual cost of attendance for any given student can vary considerably due to level of enrollment (full time, part time), department/program/course specific fees, housing needs, meal plans etc.
See the current budgets used to determine your federal financial aid eligibility. Remember, this is not your actual cost to attend ETSU, these are estimated values used to help in the calculation of your financial aid.
Student Aid Index
Beginning with the 2024-25 aid year, a student's financial need calculation is called the Student Aid Index (SAI).
Once you have completed your FAFSA, your SAI is calculated through a formula established by federal law. The calculation uses information from your tax return as well as the net worth of your assets. Your SAI will be listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary.
Your SAI amount will be the same regardless of what university you apply to. Your financial need and ultimately how much aid you are offered will vary based on the Cost of Attendance for your program, college, of university. Learn more about the SAI on the Federal Student Aid website.
Types of aid available:
Grants = Money that does not have to be repaid, although they may carry certain provisions. Click here for more info about Grants.
Scholarships = Money that does not have to be repaid, but the student must meet certain requirements to qualify and must explicitly apply for specific scholarships. Click here for more info about scholarships.
Loans = Money offered at low interest rates that must be repaid over an extended period of time after leaving the institution or upon failure to attend. Click here for more info about Loans.
Federal Work Study Aid = Money earned while working on campus in a Federal Work Study Program (FWS) or a Regular Student Work Program (RSWP). Click here for more info about Student Service Positions.
When will I know how much my final tuition and fees are, and how do I find them?
You will be able to see your actual charges on GoldLink by viewing your student account after mid-July of every year and after you have registered for classes.