Federal Aid
To apply for federal aid, students use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and list Tech's school code (001089) as one of the schools to receive information. With the exception of Unsubsidized and PLUS loans, students must demonstrate financial need to receive funds from federal financial aid programs.
To receive equal consideration, a student must have a complete application on file by January 15. All remaining funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until depleted. Note: All requested information must be returned to the Financial Aid Office by July 15 to ensure aid availability at the beginning of the fall semester.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant provides direct grants from the government to undergraduate students for educational expenses. The student does not have to repay the amounts received, unless the semester for which a grant is received is not completed or the student receives grades of all F(s).
Under current guidelines, only students who have never received a bachelor’s degree and who have not already received the equivalent of twelve full-time semesters of the grant are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The university does not determine whether a student is financially eligible. The amount of the grant given to an individual student is based on information provided to the university by the U.S. Department of Education. No eligible student will be denied a grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
The purpose of the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program is to provide additional funds to qualified students of exceptional need. Each grant is awarded according to federal guidelines.
Student Employment
The University uses student employees when practical, but students are not encouraged to work to an extent which would hinder their scholastic program. Employment assignments are made under both the Federal College Work-Study Program and the institutional Non-Work-Study Program. To be eligible for student employment, the student must be enrolled at least half-time, adhere to the academic progress policy, maintain satisfactory employer-employee relations and have conduct and personal appearance which reflects positively on the student and the University.
LOAN PROGRAMS
William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
Federal regulations require a delayed disbursement of thirty (30) days for all first-year, first-time undergraduate student borrowers in any Federal Direct Loan program. Additionally, all student borrowers must be enrolled in a minimum of six hours. Beginning with the 2026-2027 aid year, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans will be prorated for less than full-time enrollment.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to $20,000 annually, with a lifetime maximum of $65,000 per child. The student must be enrolled at least half-time and have a completed FAFSA on file. PLUS loans require a separate application and credit check. The interest rate is set each June, and the borrower begins repayment within sixty (60) days after the full disbursement of the loan.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 aid year, the Graduate PLUS Loan program has been eliminated. A grandfather (legacy) clause is available for previous borrowers. Please check with the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
The Federal Direct Loan program authorizes loans up to $3,500 per year for freshman undergraduates, $4,500 for sophomore undergraduates, and $5,500 per year for junior and senior undergraduates. The maximum an undergraduate student may borrow is $23,000. Under this program a student must financially qualify for the loan. The interest rate is determined each June.
Repayment of principal and interest ordinarily begins six months after the student leaves school or ceases to be at least a half-time student. However, interest will begin to accrue as of the date the student ceases to be at least half-time. The amount of the monthly payments will be based on the total amount borrowed.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan has the same loan limits and deferments as the Direct Subsidized Loan. However, the student does not have to demonstrate need for the loan and must either pay the interest while in school or have it capitalized for repayment with the loan principal. The total borrowed in Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct undergraduate loans may not exceed the student’s yearly maximum as shown above. Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 for a school year, not to exceed the lifetime aggregate limit of $100,000, not including undergraduate loans. The interest rate is determined each June.
Federal Direct Additional Unsubsidized Loan
Dependent students may borrow $2,000 per year for four years with an undergraduate maximum of $31,000. Independent students may borrow up to $6,000 per year for the first two years of undergraduate study and $7,000 per year thereafter, with an undergraduate maximum of $57,500. Borrowers do not have to show need but do have to apply for financial aid. The interest rate is determined each June. Students are responsible for paying the interest that accrues on the loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full, but have the option to defer interest payments while in school and have the interest added to the amount borrowed.
Maximum lifetime loan limits for Federal Direct loans are as follows:
- Dependent - undergraduate students: $31,000, with a maximum of $23,000 subsidized.
- Independent - undergraduate students: $57,500, with a maximum of $23,000 subsidized.
- Graduate students: $100,000, which does not include undergraduate loan amounts. (new as of July 1, 2026)