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Financial Aid & Student Accounts

ROTC students being comissioned into the U.S. Army.

Office of Financial Aid: Ellington 216 | (931) 221-7907

Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and federal work study. Most federal and state-funded financial aid programs are awarded on the basis of proven financial need. Need is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution (EFC) which is established by the U.S. Congress. Students apply for aid by completing the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. The FAFSA must be submitted every year aid is needed. The FAFSA opens each year on Oct. 1. Students are encouraged to check their financial aid status on OneStop. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Financial Aid. Students can lose eligibility to receive aid based on poor grades or attendance. Review Satisfactory Progress guidelines at www.apsu.edu/financialaid.

To provide parents access to financial records, students must complete the FERPA release form at www.apsu.edu/parents/student-info.

Course Choice Counts for Financial Aid
For federal financial aid to pay for courses in the major, minor or other degree requirements, the course must be part of the program of study in the Degree Works system in OneStop. The U.S. Department of Education is requiring students enroll in courses that fulfill degree requirements. It is important for students to talk to their academic adviser to ensure they are enrolling in courses required for their degree. For information, visit www.apsu.edu/cpos.

Financial Aid Verification
The federal government randomly selects about 30% of all financial aid application files for verification of data. The student’s financial aid cannot be finalized until all verification documents are received.

Cost of Attendance (COA)
COA is the estimated expenses to attend the University including tuition, fees, housing, meals, average loan fees (for students receiving a Federal Direct Loan), etc. COA is the students budget for financial aid and is the maximum amount of aid that may be received. The financial aid award is based on the COA, and a student’s total aid package cannot exceed their COA.

Types of Financial Aid

NOTE: Financial aid does NOT always cover the cost of books.

Managing Debt
Student loans are necessary for many students who cannot meet the cost of school without them. Even so, it is important to make intentional and wise decisions and only borrow what is needed. Students should plan to borrow only what is necessary. An excellent resource for tracking a loan balance is www.studentaid.gov. The repayment calculator shows students what to expect about payments after graduation.

HOPE Lottery Scholarship
Completing the FAFSA is the only way to apply for HOPE and must be submitted each year. Eligibility will be reviewed by the institution at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of 24, 48, 72, 96 and any subsequent multiples of 24 semester hours thereafter. Students must be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Lottery Scholarship recipients must get pre-approval to skip a semester (excluding summer term).

Tennessee Promise
APSU is one of only two four-year state universities where students can take advantage of the Tennessee Promise scholarship. Students must complete the Tennessee Promise application and service hours and be determined eligible for the program (please refer to TSAC Tennessee Promise checklist). Although the Tennessee Promise Scholarship is considered a last-dollar scholarship, it does not pay last dollar when utilized at a four-year institution. The scholarship only covers the average state community college costs of tuition and mandatory fees not met by gift aid from the Pell, TELS (including the HOPE scholarship, Access Grant, Aspire Scholarship, etc.) or TSAA programs.

To use this scholarship, the student will need to enroll in one of the associate degree programs offered. University Studies is an associate degree in which the student takes core courses and electives. This degree will feed into most four-year degree programs. The following is a list of associate degree programs offered:

Important Student Financial Aid To-Do’s

Office of Veterans Education Benefits: Ellington 202 | (931) 221-7760

Veterans Affairs assists active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, Guardsmen and family members with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits and services they have earned. If your student is using VA benefits, they may contact the office at http://www.apsu.edu/mva/veterans-education-benefits or call (931) 221-7760.

Student Account Services & Cashier’s Window: Ellington | (931) 221-6285

Student Account Services assesses and collects student fees, provides student fee information and general payment guidelines and disburses excess financial aid to students. If students preregister, the bill is electronically sent to their AP email address approximately six to eight weeks prior to the first day of classes. Payment for the semester is due by the date shown on the bill (usually the first week of August for fall and the first week of January for spring). If tuition is not paid by the due date, classes will be dropped, students have to re-register for classes and a $50 late fee will be assessed. Dropped classes are not always available when re-registering. A copy of the tuition statement is available in OneStop.

Charges on the bill remain the student’s obligation unless they properly withdraw from the University. If students withdraw before the first day of class, they will not incur tuition liability. After the first day, students will be responsible for the charges in accordance with the refund schedule. Not attending class does not relieve the student from their financial obligation or entitle them to a refund. Students who have confirmed their registration must withdraw officially from the University if they decide not to attend. Withdrawals are handled by the Office of the Registrar at (931) 221-7121 or online at www.apsu.edu/registrar. See www.apsu.edu/student-account-services for important dates. For appealing University fee decisions, visit www.apsu.edu/appeals.

Tuition Payments
Payments may be made online via OneStop or in person at the cashiers’ windows in Ellington from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Checks/money orders should be made payable to Austin Peay State University. The student’s name and A-Number should be listed on any check, money order or correspondence. 

Installment plans are available during the fall and spring semesters. For more information, visit www.apsu.edu/student-account-services.

Class confirmation is necessary to prevent classes from being dropped. Confirming means paying tuition either by using Financial Aid or by paying out of pocket. Even if a student’s account shows a “0” or a credit balance, they must still confirm classes. Students may confirm their classes by logging on to OneStop. Confirmation of classes must occur every semester.

If the student will be receiving a refund from financial aid (Pell, TSACC, Hope Lottery, federal student loans and scholarships) they can set up direct deposit online. Direct deposit must be completed once and remains good until the student graduates or changes banking information. Students should check their banking information at the beginning of each term to verify it is correct. Direct deposit will be delayed if accounts changed and are not updated.

Can a student grant a parent access to their student account?
The student can set their parent as an authorized user for financial information through Student Account Services. The student must log in to OneStop or Self Service, select the Student tab, select Student Account and then select View Statements, Update Profile and Add/Update Authorized Users. They will be directed to a secure site. An authorized user can make payments and has access to the details of the student’s account activity. Because of federal regulations on the right to privacy, the student is the only one who can set up authorized users. Parents may not receive information regarding their student’s account by phone unless there is a FERPA release on file. Information on how to complete this form can be found on the Registrar’s website https://www.apsu.edu/registrar/resources/FERPAStudentInstructions.pdf.

Tuition Discount Forms
The most common discounts are for dependents of public school teachers and state employees, retired state employees and for retired school teachers. If you are eligible for a discount, forms must be submitted by the last day of late registration. Students receiving financial aid deferments must turn discount forms in to the cashiers’ window by the last day of late registration. A new form is required each term. The fee discount program is not retroactive.

Bookstore Debit Program
Students who have a credit on their account, have confirmed their classes, have signed their Title IV authorization forms and have a valid student Govs ID will have the option to charge books and supplies at the campus bookstore during a specific time. Check the academic calendar for dates. Title IV forms are included in the student’s financial aid packet. Questions should be directed to the Student Financial Aid Office at (931) 221-7907.