Costs and Financial Aid

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

All fees are payable at the time of registration each semester. Registration dates and payment due dates are published online. Student schedules are deleted if fees are not paid by the applicable due date. Registration is incomplete until all fees are paid and no student may be admitted to classes without having met all financial obligations. Students whose fees are paid by an outside source must ensure that all appropriate paperwork from the paying agency is on file in the Business Office prior to the last day to pay for early registration.

There is a non-refundable $30 charge for any check returned to Northeast State. A student who has not redeemed a returned check for fees within 10 days after being notified by the Business Office will be administratively withdrawn from school. Receipt of three bad checks from any person will result in that person becoming ineligible to make payments by check thereafter. No student may re-enroll, graduate or receive a transcript or grades until all financial obligations to Northeast State are met. All charges are subject to subsequent audit. Errors will be corrected by refund or additional charge.

Cashiering offices are located at C2407 on the second floor of the General Studies Building, on the Blountville campus, room 108 Blazer Wilson Hall at Northeast State Kingsport, room J1003 at the Johnson City campus, and room E132 on the Elizabethton campus. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. extended hours are available during fee payment deadlines.

By sending your completed, signed check to Northeast State Community College, you authorize Northeast State to copy your check and to use the account information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account for the same amount as the check.  Funds will be withdrawn from your account within 24 hours and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. The electronic fund transfer from your account will be on the account statement you receive from your financial institution.

Cash, checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Payments using these methods may be made in person at the Business Office or via the Internet from the Northeast State website at http://www.northeaststate.edu/Admission/Business-Office/Student-Account-Suite/. When using the Internet option an additional pay by web-check option is available. Payment by phone option is not available.

When record holds have been placed on a student account due to nonpayment of tuition, fees, fines or other balances, Northeast State reserves the right to delay the release of transcripts and other official documents for up to 14 days after payment, if the balance is paid by a personal check that exceeds $25. If payment is not honored by the financial institution due to insufficient funds or other reasons, the release of the transcripts or other official documents may be delayed until full payment is made.

Please call the Business Office at 423.354.2510 with any questions concerning payment of fees.

Credit and Audit Course Costs - Each student registering for college courses on a credit or audit basis pays maintenance fees, a campus access fee, a student activity fee, an international education fee, and a technology fee each semester. In addition, if the student is not domiciled in Tennessee, out-of-state tuition is also charged. Contact the Business Office for current fee rates.

Select courses have digital course materials included with the course. The charges for these are included with the course and will appear as a separate charge. If the student chooses, they may opt out of the material. If the student does not opt out the charge will need to be paid by the due date. Failure to pay can cause a loss of access to the materials. Visit Digital Engagement for more information.

Note: Fee amounts are as of spring 2022. Contact the Business Office for an updated fee schedule or visit the Tuition and Fees section of our website. TN eCampus fees may also be viewed by visiting the Tuition and Fees section of our website. Click here for the TN eCampus academic calendar.
 

Note: Fee amounts are as of spring 2022. Contact the Business Office for an updated fee schedule or visit the Tuition and Fees section of our website. TN eCampus fees may also be viewed by visiting the Tuition and Fees section of our website. Click here for the TN eCampus academic calendar.

There is no maximum maintenance fee or out-of-state tuition fee charge for the summer semester or intersession courses. All fees are calculated on the per hour charges per credit hours taken.

*Students are classified as resident or non-resident by the Office of Admissions and Records for the purpose of assessing tuition charges. The definition of residency as determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents will apply. A student once classified as an out-of-state student will continue to be thus classified unless a change of legal residence is established by evidence other than presence as a student. The burden of proof of all conditions pertaining to residence is placed upon the student, including the responsibility for submission of documentation required by Northeast State. If there is any question as to in-state residency at the time of registration, the student will be classified as out-of-state and will be charged out-of-state tuition. Information about residency classification may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records. Students have the right to appeal the assignment of residency status to the Vice President for Institutional Excellence and Student Success.

Additional Special Fees

Traffic Fines

Library Fines

Note: $10 processing fees are non-refundable. 

Test Fees

Miscellaneous Non-Refundable Fees

All special fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents. 

1. Tennessee Board of Regents fee waiver allows a regular full-time employee of the TBR system or the UT system to take one (1) course per term free of charges including tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees, or registration fees provided space is available. The enrollment is limited to available space with the intent that tuition-paying students shall not be denied enrollment by a student using a fee waiver. Registration is permitted no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes. The student is responsible for the campus access fee. This waiver applies for undergraduate or graduate courses offered through any TBR institution or a University of Tennessee institution. The waiver is limited to one course, not to exceed 4 credits or 120 clock hours per term. TBR employees registered for more than one course in the same term are financially responsible for the additional course(s). The TBR/UT employee is considered in-state for fee purposes.
2. Tennessee Board of Regents fee waiver allows a part-time regular and part-time temporary employee, of the TBR system of the UT system, excluding adjuncts, of community colleges and TN Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) to take one (1) course per term free of charges including tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees, or registration fees provided space is available. The enrollment is limited to available space with the intent that tuition-paying students shall not be denied enrollment by a student using a fee waiver. Registration is permitted no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes. The student is responsible for the campus access fee. This waiver is limited to the college in which they work. The waiver is limited to one course, not to exceed 4 credits or 120 clock hours per term. It may apply for partial payment of classes of more than 4 credit hours. TBR employees registered for more than one course in the same term are financially responsible for the additional course(s). The TBR/UT employee is considered in-state for fee purposes.
3. Children, 26 years of age or under, or spouses of regular full-time TBR employees may enroll and receive a 50 percent discount on applicable maintenance fees, student activity fees, or registration fees. The student must be a recognized dependent and the TBR employee must be a regular employee defined as receiving full benefits. For purposes of this waiver, children and spouses are considered in-state for fee purposes. Children, 26 years or under, or spouses of regular full-time UT employees may enroll for a 50 percent discount of maintenance fees.
4. Employees of the State of Tennessee may take one course per term, regardless of the credit hours, free of charge provided space is available. The enrollment is limited to available space with the intent that tuition-paying students shall not be denied enrollment by a student using a fee waiver. Registration is permitted no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes. These employees should be full-time employees of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of Tennessee state government scheduled to work 1,950 hours per year (full-time for 12 months) and have been employed for at least six months. The student is responsible for the campus access fee.
5. Children of full-time state employees may receive a 25 percent reduction of maintenance fees provided such children are less than 24 years of age.
6. Children, under 24 years of age, whose parent was killed on the job or in the line of duty while a full-time state employee of Tennessee, are eligible for a 25 percent discount on maintenance fees.
7. Children, under 24 years of age, whose parent is a retired employee of Tennessee is eligible for 25 percent reduction on maintenance fees.
8. Children, under 24 years of age, of full-time certified public teachers will receive a 25 percent discount on applicable maintenance fees for each term enrolled. Certified refers to teachers, supervisors, principals, superintendents, and other certified personnel who are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education and employed by any local board of education, for service in public, elementary and secondary schools in Tennessee supported in whole or in part by state funds.
9. Part-time students who are not domiciled in Tennessee, but who are employed full-time in the state, are to be classified in-state for fee purposes. Students may be employed by more than one in-state employer resulting in the equivalent of full-time employment.
10. An unemancipated (dependent) currently enrolled student shall not be reclassified out-of-state should his/her parent, having been domiciled in the state, move from the state. The student will not be required to pay out-of-state tuition as long as his/her enrollment is continuous.
11. Military personnel and their spouses stationed in the state of Tennessee who would be classified out-of-state in accordance with other provisions will remain classified out-of-state but will not be required to pay out-of-state tuition. This provision will not apply to military personnel and spouses who are stationed in Tennessee for educational purposes.
12. An unemancipated (dependent) person whose parent is not domiciled in Tennessee but is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in the state pursuant to military orders shall be classified out-of-state but shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition. The student shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition if the parent(s) are transferred on military orders as long as his/her enrollment is continuous.
13. Persons who live in Scott or Washington County, Virginia, or Mitchell or Watauga County, North Carolina, may attend Northeast State without paying out-of-state tuition. The program has limited openings.
14. Disabled persons and persons 60 years of age and older who are domiciled in Tennessee may enroll in classes for audit without payment of maintenance fees. Enrollment as an audit student is subject to availability of space in the class(es) which permits registration no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes. The student is responsible for the campus access fee. Proof of age is required. Proof of continuous disability is required each semester.
15. Disabled persons and persons 65 years of age and older who are domiciled in Tennessee may enroll in courses for credit without payment of maintenance fees, but are subject to a service fee of $70.00 per semester. The student is responsible for the campus access fee. Enrollment is subject to availability of space in the class(es) which permits registration no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of classes. Proof of age or continuous disability is required.
16. Certain statutory fee exceptions exist for dependents or spouses of veterans of the military who died as a direct result of injuries received, or were officially reported as being either a prisoner of war or missing in action while serving honorably as a member of the United States Armed Forces during a qualifying period of armed conflict.
17. A veteran or other individual eligible to receive educational benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, through any provision of the United States Code, shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition or any out-of-state fee, when the veteran or other individual is:
    • Enrolled in any public institution of higher education in this state;
    • Utilizing such benefits at the enrolling institution; and
    • Living in the State of Tennessee, regardless of the individual’s formal state of residency.

NOTE: Fee waivers and discounts are due five business days before fee payment due dates each semester. Please allow up to five business days for fee waivers and discounts to be credited to your account. Northeast State cannot guarantee that fee discounts and waivers submitted after the nightly purges begin for the semester will be credited to your account the same day that they are submitted. This could potentially result in the loss of your class schedule.

Fee waivers and discounts are only active for the current semester and are not retroactive. A new waiver must be submitted each semester.

General Refund Policy - Northeast State will refund a portion of the maintenance and out-of-state tuition to any student who officially drops, withdraws, or is dismissed from a course(s) within the drop/withdrawal deadline. The official withdrawal date for calculating refunds will be based on the date the withdrawal form is recorded electronically in the student registration history. Refer to the Academic Calendar for specific refund periods. Refund amounts and adjustments will be calculated per the following provisions. Adjustments to all fees and charges must be in accordance with the following provisions or when required by federal law or regulation to be otherwise.

Note: Refunds are calculated on maintenance fees and tuition fees only. All other fees, including TN eCampus online fees, are non-refundable.

Student must be completely withdrawn from the course(s) before an appeal can be considered. If the student is still enrolled the late withdrawal process should be completed before an appeal is submitted to the Business office. To appeal for late withdrawal please contact the Advising Resource Center at 423.323.0214.

Refund Appeals Process - Students may appeal a refund by submitting a refund appeal form  to the Business Office. The following procedures shall be followed:

1. Students may appeal for a refund by submitting a Refund Appeal Form along with appropriate documentation to the Business Office. Students must file a refund appeal request two (2) years from the last date of attendance. The student will be notified in writing of the decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written appeal request.
2. Students must officially drop/withdraw from the term or courses that are being appealed before the appeal can be considered.
3. The student may appeal the decision of the Business Office by submitting a written request to the Vice President for Finance and Information Technology. The student will be notified in writing of the decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written appeal request.
4. Withdrawals for other reasons will be subject to the standard 75%/25% refund policy of the college.

Refund appeals will be considered in the following exceptions to the normal refund policies:

1. The student is forced to withdraw from school because of a change in work schedule confirmed in writing by the student’s employer on the employer’s letterhead.
2. The student is forced to withdraw from school because of personal medical reasons. Withdrawals or reductions in course load due to personal illness/injury require a statement from a licensed medical physician stating withdrawal was necessary due to the health of the student. Copies of medical records are not necessary.
3. The student is forced to withdraw from school because of serious and lengthy illness of a member of the student’s family when the student is the primary caregiver. The family medical reason must be confirmed in writing by a licensed physician to include a statement that the family member needs a caregiver. Copies of medical records are not necessary.
4. The student is forced to withdraw from school because of the death of an immediate family member and will need to be verified with a copy of the obituary.

Return of Title IV Funds - Refund of fees for students who receive assistance from Title IV financial aid programs are returned to each fund in accordance with applicable federal regulations when students totally withdraw or stop attending all classes at Northeast State. Return of Title IV Funds policies that apply to students who receive assistance under Title IV financial aid programs can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Eligibility for Deferment of Payment of Tuition and Fees by certain eligible students - Certain eligible students receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other governmentally funded educational assistance benefits may be eligible for a deferment of payment of tuition and fees. Service members, veterans, and dependents of veterans who are eligible beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits or other governmentally funded educational assistance, subject to the conditions and guidelines set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated 49-7-104 as amended, may elect, upon formal application, to defer payment of required tuition and fees until the final day of the term for which the deferment has been requested. Application for the deferment must be made no later than 14 days after the beginning of the term, and the amount of the deferment shall not exceed the total monetary benefits to be received for the term. Students who have been granted deferments are expected to make timely payments on their outstanding tuition and fees balance once education benefits are being delivered, and eligibility for such deferment shall terminate if the student fails to abide by any applicable rule or regulation or to act in good faith in making timely payments. This notice is published pursuant to Public Chapter 279, Acts of 2003, effective July 1, 2003.

Policy 03:11:00 Covered Military-Affiliated Students’ Right to Attend

Section 103 of Public Law 115-407, the Veterans Benefits Transition Act of 2018, prohibits denial of access and/or other penalties against recipients of Post 9/11 GI Bill^® benefits or Veterans Readiness and Employment benefits. Effective August 1, 2019, any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Veterans Readiness and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill^® benefits, must be permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to Northeast State Community College a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under the aforementioned and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

The date on which payment from Veterans Affairs (VA) is made to the College, or

90 days after the date Northeast State certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Northeast State will not impose any penalty (including the assessment of late fees; the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities; or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds) on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to Northeast State due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33. Penalties can be imposed after the first of the two above-mentioned dates passes.

Covered individuals may also be required to provide additional information to Northeast State’s School Certifying Official(s) such as a Certificate of Eligibility, DD Form 214, or proof of the Transfer of Entitlement request and/or other related documents.

Open enrollment continuing education course fees are listed with each course description on the college webpage and the course announcement. Course fees are payable by credit card (Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express), cash, money order, company purchase order, or written authorization from a company. Financial Aid and fee waiver policies for state employees, senior citizens, and disabled persons do not apply to continuing education programs.

Participants are considered registered for a course when they submit a registration form or register online.

Instructor-Led Continuing Education Courses

For continuing education classes, course fees are refunded should Northeast State cancel a class.

Continuing Education course fees are refundable if the participant sends an email canceling the registration to Workforce Solutions (workforce@NortheastState.edu) before the preferred registration deadline listed on the course announcement form. Confirmed registrants may send an instructor approved substitute. Refunds will not be granted once a scheduled class has begun.

Confirmed registrants in continuing education classes who do not attend the course or who do not cancel by the preferred registration deadline listed on the course announcement are responsible for the entire registration fee.

Online Continuing Education Courses

Northeast State will refund continuing education online course fees to any participant who sends a cancellation email to Workforce Solutions (workforce@NortheastState.edu) prior to starting the class. Refunds will not be granted once an online class has begun.

Student financial aid programs at Northeast State are designed to assist students who find it difficult to attend college without financial assistance.

Northeast State offers a comprehensive program of financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and Federal Work-Study. Major emphasis is placed on financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and academic achievement. Students may apply for one or more types of financial aid. A student must complete all requirements for the Office of Admissions and Records and complete all requirements for the Office of Financial Aid before any funds will be disbursed. The student must be in an eligible degree program to receive financial aid.

The Office of Financial Aid sets a priority deadline for completing a FAFSA for the fall semester. Applications received by that date will be given first consideration in the allocation of financial aid funds. Applications received after the priority deadline will be accepted and awards made to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. The priority deadline is located on the Financial Aid webpage.

Program descriptions and application procedures are listed on the following pages: Information concerning methods by which aid is distributed to qualifying students, satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid recipients, Return of Title IV Funds policies for federal grants and costs of attending Northeast State is located at www.NortheastState.edu. Additionally, Financial Aid information can be obtained from any Northeast State’s campus, or email at financialaid@NortheastState.edu, or by phone 423.323.0252/1.800.836.7822.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients - Northeast State, as required by the U.S. Education Department, has established a Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard for all recipients of financial assistance through any Title IV program (Federal Pell, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study Program). Progress is measured by the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA), the pace at which they are progressing, credits earned in relation to those attempted, and the length of the academic program. Recipients of most state awards must also maintain satisfactory academic progress according to all state and federal guidelines. The policy is published and available at www.NortheastState.edu or upon request from the Office of Financial Aid.

Course Program of Study for Financial Aid Recipients - Northeast State, as required by the U.S. Education Department, monitors the enrolled courses for each student. Federal Student Aid can be awarded if a course falls within the student’s Degree Works audit. Federal Student Aid cannot be awarded for courses that do not appear on a student’s Degree Works audit. Course substitutions are allowed to be covered if the substituted course fits within the degree program of the student. An academic advisor must send a completed course substitution form to the registrar for the course substitution to take effect.

All federal financial aid programs require the assessment of financial need based on the ability of the parents and/or the student/spouse to contribute toward educational expenses. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available at www.fafsa.gov. Renewal of aid is not automatic; students must reapply each year.

Federal Pell Grants - This program is designed to provide financial assistance to qualified undergraduate students. Completion of the FAFSA is necessary in order to determine aid eligibility. The amount of the student’s grant is based on the family’s ability to contribute to the student’s education as calculated by the FAFSA, the amount of funds actually available for the program and the cost of attendance at the number of hours for which the student is enrolled. For students who are selected for verification or who make corrections to a submitted FAFSA, the amount of Pell Grant funds received may be different than what was indicated on the initial Student Aid Report. Course program of study does impact eligibility and award amounts of the Federal Pell grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - This program provides grants to students with exceptional financial need as defined by the FAFSA and is based on eligibility for Pell. The amount of assistance a student may receive depends upon need and funding availability. Funding for this program is limited and awards are based on the date of FAFSA completion as well as the student’s financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. Those who wish to be considered for this grant must complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Course program of study does impact eligibility and award amounts of the SEOG.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program - The FWS program assists students with unmet need, as defined by the FAFSA, by supplementing education costs in exchange for work. Students who qualify for this program may work during the academic year. The number of hours a student may work is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and based on the student’s need as defined by the FAFSA. Pay rates under this program are compatible with Federal Minimum Wage Standards. Terms and conditions of employment will be furnished to students at the time their work assignment is made. In addition to working on-campus, students may be assigned to work off-campus as America Reads tutors in area elementary schools. Course program of study does impact eligibility and award amounts of the FWS.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award - The Tennessee Student Assistance Award is a grant made available to Tennessee residents enrolled at least half-time as undergraduate students at eligible Tennessee colleges and universities. The grant is based on financial need as defined by the State of Tennessee and is administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. Those who wish to be considered for this grant must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Additional requirements and deadlines for all state grants can be found at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

Tennessee Promise Scholarship - To be eligible for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, a student must be a Tennessee resident and a member of the high school graduating class of 2015 or later. Students must graduate from an eligible high school, complete an eligible home school program, or obtain a GED or HiSET diploma prior to reaching 19 years of age. Students must complete a Tennessee Promise Scholarship application by November 1 and they must apply to and enroll full-time in an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall term immediately following high school graduation. Additional requirements and the application for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship can be found at www.tnpromise.gov. The Tennessee Promise Scholarship is administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). The State of Tennessee may alter or change eligibility requirements for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship. Any alterations or changes to eligibility requirements will be announced by TSAC, the partnering organization, or another third party.

Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship - To be eligible for the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship, a student must meet all requirements created by the State of Tennessee. The requirements include but are not limited to the following:

• Not already have an associate or bachelor degree;
• Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year leading up to the student’s FAFSA submission date;
• Complete the FAFSA and be deemed an independent student as defined by FAFSA;
• Be admitted to an eligible institution (any of the state’s 13 public community colleges or any four-year institution that is eligible for the Tennessee education lottery scholarship, as defined by TCA § 49-4-902, that offers an associate degree program) and enroll in a degree or certificate program at least part-time (6 semester hours) beginning with the 2018-19 year; and
• Complete the application in the TSAC portal.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined by FAFSA
• Not be in default on a student loan
• Not have an outstanding balance of previously awarded financial aid to an institution
• Not be incarcerated

In order to maintain the Tennessee Reconnect grant, the student must enroll in classes leading to an associate’s degree or certificate, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and maintain continuous enrollment. Students must enroll in at least six semester hours each semester. Students must renew their FAFSA each year. And students must participate in the Reconnect Success Plan. Adults who meet all the requirements will receive a last-dollar scholarship, which is equal to the difference between tuition and fees and any gift aid (as defined by TCA § 49-4-708) that a student receives.  Additional requirements and the application for the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship can be found at www.tnreconnect.gov. The Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship is administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). The State of Tennessee may alter or change eligibility requirements for the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship. Any alterations or changes to eligibility requirements will be announced by TSAC.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program: HOPE Scholarship, General Assembly Merit Scholarship, Need-Based Aspire Award, Tennessee HOPE Access Grant - These scholarships are available to students who:

• Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year prior to September 1 of the academic year of enrollment or application deadline date.
• Apply with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Enroll in at least six hours in a degree-seeking major in one of the eligible Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges within 16 months of graduating from high school, obtaining a HSE, or completing a home school program.
• Meet all other eligibility requirements as defined by the State of Tennessee.
• Additional requirements and deadlines for all state grants can be found at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

Ned McWherter Scholars Program - This program is for entering freshmen with a minimum 29 ACT (Composite)/1280 SAT (Math and Critical Reading only) and an unweighted 3.5 high school GPA. Students must be Tennessee residents and U.S. citizens and must be enrolled full time at an eligible Tennessee post-secondary institution. Applications may be obtained from TSAC at www.TN.gov/collegepays. The application deadline is located at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

Dependent Children’s Scholarship Program - This program is for dependent children of law enforcement officers, firemen, or emergency medical technicians who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty while employed in Tennessee. The award amount is based on state funding and the student’s direct costs, and is coordinated with other aid. The award may be renewed three times for a total of four years or the period required for the completion of the program of study, whichever is less. Students must be Tennessee residents and U.S. citizens enrolled full-time and must complete a Dependent Children’s Scholarship Program Application and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. There is an additional State application. This application and deadline can be obtained at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant - Students must meet the high school requirements for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship or Tennessee HOPE Access grant. To qualify for the Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant, students must have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for at least one (1) year after reaching fourteen (14) years of age and be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution. Academically qualifying for any of these award programs does not guarantee admission to an eligible postsecondary institution. Additional eligibility requirements for each of the scholarships can be found at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

The Helping Heroes Grant - The Helping Heroes Grant is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. In order to be eligible, the student must be an honorably discharged veteran who had formally served the armed forces of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States. Be a Tennessee resident for one year preceding the date of application for this grant. Must have been awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal on or after September 11, 2001 or must have been awarded other qualifying medals as authorized by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. Enroll at an eligible 2-year or 4-year postsecondary institution. Have not earned a baccalaureate degree. Additional requirements and the application for the Helping Heroes Grant can be found at www.TN.gov/collegepays.

Several scholarship programs are available to qualified Northeast State students. The Academic Work Scholarship Program, the Educational Access and Diversity Scholarship Program, and the Northeast State Foundation, as well as other individuals and organizations, provide awards for qualified students. Competitive scholarship awards are based primarily on academic merit with consideration given to a student’s major, county of residence, demonstrated leadership skills, and motivation among other selection criteria. Financial need is not necessarily a prerequisite for receiving Northeast State Scholarships. Students are eligible to apply for other scholarships and/or financial assistance from agencies outside the college. Such scholarships may be awarded to students in addition to scholarships awarded through Northeast State.

Academic Work Scholarship Program - Recipients of the Academic Work Scholarship are required to work 75 hours per semester in return for a scholarship applied to their maintenance fees. Residents of the State of Tennessee must submit a Northeast State General Scholarship Application to be considered. Applicants must be:

1. First-time freshmen with a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, an ACT composite score of 21 or above, SAT equivalent, college placement assessment, or math diagnostic test results which allow them to enroll in college-level courses. These students receive priority placement.
2. Transfer and other than first-time freshman students with a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 earned on the basis of at least 12 credit hours and having completed Learning Support requirements.

Educational Access and Diversity Scholarship Program - A limited number of scholarships are awarded to eligible students who are enrolled as in-state residents and maintain a minimum overall combined 2.75 grade point average (GPA) inclusive of Learning Support requirements.

Students must meet one of the following criteria for underrepresented populations to qualify for Educational Access and Diversity Scholarship consideration:

• Classified as a United States Military Veteran. Proof of veteran status must be on file with the Veteran & Military Student Success Center in order to qualify under military veteran criterion.
• Hispanic/Latino/Spanish origin, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander origin as documented by the Northeast State Office of Admissions and Records.
• Registered with the Office of Accessibility Services (formerly Center for Students with Disabilities) at Northeast State.

The Educational Access and Diversity Scholarship Program is funded annually and awards are renewed on a semester-by-semester basis pending Financial Aid approval. Limited funding is available. Awards are competitive and are not guaranteed. Individuals must submit a Northeast State General Scholarship Application by March 1st to be considered.

Northeast State Foundation Scholarships - Foundation Scholarships are made possible by gifts to the Northeast State Foundation from various businesses, industries, organizations, and individuals. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Northeast State Scholarship Selection Committee. Students must apply by submitting the Northeast State General Scholarship Application to the Office of Scholarship Programs by March 1st.

A listing of Foundation Scholarships is available on the Northeast State website. 

Agency/External/Third Party Scholarships - These scholarship recipients are selected by the external organization providing the scholarship funds. Northeast State serves only as the administrating agency. In selecting recipients for these scholarships, emphasis may be placed upon scholastic achievement, character, future promise, and, in some cases, financial need.

Special Scholarship Programs - Scholarship awards may be made available through programs that utilize special grant funding or private sponsorship. Consideration for these awards may be dependent upon enrollment in specific majors or may be period specific. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines vary by program.  

The Northeast State General Scholarship Application for Academic Work, Educational Access and Diversity, and Foundation scholarships is available on the Northeast State website in November.  Scholarship awards are made during the spring and summer for the following fall and spring semesters. For consideration, submit the online application by March 1st.

All required documentation must be submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants are matched to scholarship selection pools based upon the information supplied on the online application.

For additional information, contact the Office of Scholarship Programs at scholarships@NortheastState.edu or 423.279.7637 or visit the Northeast State website.

Veterans Benefits - Veterans desiring to attend Northeast State under any of the educational assistance laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs should contact:

Veteran and Military Student Success Center
Northeast State Community College
P.O. Box 246
Blountville, TN 37617-0246
423.354.2527 or 423.354.2528
veteransaffairs@NortheastState.edu

Department of Veterans Affairs
Buffalo Regional Processing Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Veterans and other eligible persons may receive educational benefits under Title 38, U.S.C. (the G.I. Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) only when classified as a regular degree-seeking student. Furthermore, benefits are payable only for courses required for graduation in the declared major (with the exception of the Entrepreneurship certificate).

Enrollment verification is a new requirement for Post-9/11 GI Bill students to verify that they have remained enrolled in the same courses or training every month. Students who receive MHA/kicker payments will have their payments withheld if they fail to verify or report that they are no longer enrolled in their courses or training. To streamline the process, VA is providing the option to verify enrollment easily and securely via text message. For more information please click here.

This requirement is only for Post-9/11 GI Bill and does not impact other benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP), or the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship.  This requirement also does not currently apply to GI Bill students in on-the-job, apprenticeship, flight, or correspondence training.

Other Sources

Additional Grant Sources - Many students receive assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services Programs. Contact the appropriate agencies for information.

*See Catalog Addendum