Costs and Financial Aid

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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redeemed a returned check for fees within 10 days after being notified by the Business Office will be administratively withdrawn from school.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 in the Kingsport Center for Higher Education at Northeast State Kingsport, room E132 on the Elizabethton campus, and room G114 on the Gray 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  Funds will be withdrawn from your account within 24 hours and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.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 or online at the Business Office. 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 2024. 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. TN eCampus academic calendar
 

Note: Fee amounts are as of spring 2024. 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. 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 in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition 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 at northeaststate.edu/workforcesolutions.

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 WorkforceSolutions@NortheastState.edu before the preferred registration deadline listed on the course announcement form. 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 WorkforceSolutions@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 help students cover costs related to pursuing a degree or certificate.

Northeast State offers a comprehensive program of financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and Federal Work-Study. Emphasis is placed on financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and academic progress. A student must complete all requirements for the Office of Admissions and Records, as well as the Office of Financial Aid before any funds are disbursed. The student must be in an eligible degree program to receive financial aid.

Funding is limited for some scholarships and grants and awarded based on specific deadlines, or on a first-come, first-served basis. To be sure you qualify for the maximum amount of funding, complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens for each academic year.

Information on the various financial aid programs, the application process, deadlines, maintaining eligibility, and more is available on the Financial Aid Webpage. Additionally, financial aid information is available at all Northeast State campuses or by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@NortheastState.edu or 432.323.0252.

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 Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is published and available upon request from the Office of Financial Aid.

Course Program of Study for Financial Aid Recipients - Northeast State, as required by the U.S. Department of Education, monitors the enrolled courses for each student. Federal Student Aid may only be applied to courses that are required for the student’s declared program of study. Federal Student Aid cannot be awarded for courses that do not appear as required on a student’s Degree Works audit. Course substitutions are allowed to be covered if approved by an academic advisor. 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 which is based on information the student/family provides on the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students must complete the FAFSA each year. Log in to your StudentAid.gov account to complete the FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grants - Federal Pell Grants are available to eligible undergraduate students seeking a first associate or baccalaureate degree who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. The amount of the student’s grant is based on the student’s financial need, cost of attendance, and number of enrolled hours. A student whose FAFSA is selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education must complete the verification process before funds may be disbursed. All other outstanding application requirements must also be complete. Grants are applied to the student’s account, and funds in excess of the student’s balance will be refunded to the student. Grants are considered gift aid and generally do not require repayment. Students who withdraw, or cease attendance, in a semester could be required to pay back a portion of funds
received.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - FSEOG awards are available to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, are Pell eligible, and meet all other eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid. FSEOG funding is limited, and students are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should submit their FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens each year and complete all outstanding requirements to increase their chances of receiving FSEOG funds. Award amounts vary each year and are based on the number of eligible applicants and availability of funds. Grants are applied to the student’s account, and funds in excess of the student’s balance will be refunded to the student. Grants are considered gift aid and generally do not require repayment. Students who withdraw, or cease attendance, in a semester could be required to pay back a portion of funds received.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program - Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with unmet financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Eligible students will be hired into positions that will help them gain valuable work experience to carry throughout their careers. Students are paid an hourly rate, and paychecks are issued directly to students once per month. FWS earnings are not applied to the student’s Northeast State account. Funding for this program is limited so students are encouraged to apply for positions early. Students must complete the FAFSA to determine financial need and meet all other eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid.

Tennessee Student Assistance Award - The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half-time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee. The TSAA is a state-funded grant program.

Because available funding is insufficient to reach all eligible applicants, early filing of the FAFSA is strongly encouraged as soon as possible after October 1. Awards are made until funds are depleted. First priority is given to U.S. citizens.

Maximum award amounts are determined by the TSAC Board of Directors prior to the beginning of the fall term. The amount of the award is based on the institution indicated on the student’s FAFSA.

Tennessee Promise Scholarship - Tennessee resident/U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen/students who graduate from an eligible high School, homeschool, or earn a GED/HISET (prior to 19th birthday) can receive an award at an eligible postsecondary institution toward tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been first applied. Students must atend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program. College students must atend full-time, continue to participate in the mentoring program, and perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received. This scholarship program began in the 2015-16 academic year.

Students will be required to complete the Tennessee Promise Scholarship application in the TSAC Student Portal by November 1 and the FAFSA by March 1 at www.fafsa.gov.

Award amount varies based on amount of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been applied.

Tennessee Reconnect Grant - The TN Reconnect Grant is available to students who are classified as independent on the FAFSA OR at least 23 years of age by January 1 of the academic year who have not previously earned an associate degree or more advanced degree and are enrolled in an eligible program of study.

To apply, students must submit the Tennessee Reconnect Grant application via the TSAC Student Portal as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.

To be eligible, a student must:

• Be a Tennessee resident as classified by the Tennessee Board of Regents, pursuant to TCA 49-8-104
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline date and be classified as an independent student OR be at least 23 years of age on or before January 1 of the academic year.
• Be enrolled in a federal Title IV eligible curriculum of courses leading to a certificate or associate degree
• Not have previously earned an associate degree or more advanced degree
• Enroll in and attend at least six (6) credit hours at an eligible institution
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the end of each academic year, as determined by the institution
• Participate in a college success program, as determined by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)

Award amount varies based on amount of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has first been applied.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) Program: HOPE Scholarship, General Assembly Merit Scholarship, Need-Based Aspire Award - The HOPE Scholarship is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution within sixteen (16) months after graduating from a TN eligible high school.

To be eligible, students must:

• Be a Tennessee resident as classified by the Tennessee Board of Regents; pursuant to TCA 49-8-104,
• Enroll in at least six credit hours in a degree-seeking major in one of the eligible TN 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 TN.

Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov. Applications must be received by September 1^st for fall semester, February 1st for spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended.

Ned McWherter Scholars Program - The Ned McWherter Scholars Program is intended to encourage academically superior Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in Tennessee. Tennessee high school seniors starting their last semester in high school may apply.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• be a resident of Tennessee, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and attend an eligible Tennessee college or university full-time, and
• have at least a 3.5 unweighted cumulative grade point average, and
• have a minimum composite score of 29 on the ACT (or concordant equivalent score on the SAT).

An applicant may receive extra credit for honors or advanced placement courses and leadership in extracurricular activities while in high school.

An application, in order to be considered complete, must be accompanied by:

• an official high school transcript that contains the applicant’s high school grades through the first semester of the senior year, and
• an official ACT/SAT score.

Applications are available by clicking on the link above (TSAC Student Portal). Awards are very competitive and are based on limited funding. Renewal applicants are given first priority. TSAC must receive the completed application and required attachments by February 15.

Dependent Children’s Scholarship Program - The Dependent Children Scholarship Program provides aid for Tennessee residents who are dependent children of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. The parent must be a Tennessee resident and have been on duty when the incident occurred. The scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• be a Tennessee resident and attend an eligible Tennessee college or university full-time, and
• be a dependent of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician at the time of the incident, and
• complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov

Awards are made in equal installments each term throughout the academic year. 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. The recipient must be enrolled full-time and maintain institutional satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible. The awards are subject to funding.

An application, in order to be considered complete, must be accompanied by:

• documentation detailing that the parent who was a law enforcement officer, fireman, or emergency medical service technician was killed or is now permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment.

Online application is available by clicking on the link above (TSAC Student Portal). TSAC must receive the completed application and required documentation by July 15.

Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant - The Foster Child Tuition Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery. The grant is awarded to students who meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

In addition to meeting the minimum HOPE Scholarship high school eligibility requirements, a student shall present the Corporation with official certification from the Department of Children’s Services that the student meets the eligibility requirement for the HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant.

Award Information:

1. A Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant for a student attending an eligible public post-secondary institution shall be the cost of attendance less any gift aid with the total award not exceeding the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at an eligible post-secondary institution. Gift aid means scholarships and grants from any source that do not require repayment, including funds provided through the federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and other similar programs. Student loans and work-study programs shall not be considered gift aid.
2. A Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant for a student attending an eligible four-year OR two-year independent post-secondary institution shall not exceed the statewide average tuition and mandatory fees for a public four-year or two-year post-secondary institution.

Helping Heroes Grant - The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

To be eligible for the Helping Heroes Grant, 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 resident of this state, as classified pursuant to 49-8-104 (TBR regulation).
• Be awarded the following:
  • Iraq Campaign Medal;
  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal; or
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept. 11, 2001
  • Other qualifying medals as authorized by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
• Meet all other eligibility requirements as established.

Complete the application for a Helping Heroes Grant for each academic year. The application processing deadlines are: September 1 (or the following business day) for fall enrollment, February 1 (or the following business day) for spring, or May 1 (or the following business day) for summer enrollment. Please mail your DD-214 to the address below or fax it to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation at (615) 741-6101.

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
312 Rosa Parks Blvd, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who enrolls in twelve (12) or more semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall receive $500 per semester for enrolling in six (6) to eleven (11) semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall not receive an award if enrolled in fewer than six (6) semester hours.

Several scholarship programs are available to qualified Northeast State students. The Academic Work 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.

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 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 423.354.2507 or visit the Northeast State website.

Applying for VA Educational Benefits

To receive VA education benefits, a student must complete all admissions processes and enroll in classes before the college can certify enrollment; however, a student may apply for VA benefits before admittance to the college or enrolling in classes. The average processing time for education claims with the VA is thirty (30) days.

If a student is a service member, veteran, or family member of a service member or veteran, and requires assistance applying for education benefits, please contact the Veteran and Military Student Success Center by visiting, calling, or emailing at:

Veteran and Military Student Success Center
Northeast State Community College
P.O. Box 246
Blountville, TN 37617-0246
Phone: 423.354.5305 or 423.354.2528
Email: veteransaffairs@NortheastState.edu

The VA Processing Center for Northeast State Community College is:

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

Please note that any changes in your enrollment may impact or delay eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with all laws and regulations controlling eligibility and receipt of veterans’ benefits. Tuition and fees are submitted to the VA, via the VA-ONCE/Enrollment Manager website and are determined by the start and end date of each course of study for which the student is registered. The college is only responsible for forwarding the student’s claim for benefits and certification of enrollment to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and that further processing on a claim of benefits is controlled solely by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The chapter and percentage of benefits are based on the time of service and other factors evaluated by Veteran Affairs, which is noted on the student’s Certification of Eligibility (COE). The School’s Certifying Official (SCO) will process certification of enrollment when the following documents have been submitted:

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• DD214 or Notice of Eligibility (NOBE)

Students are welcome to submit these documents electronically to veteransaffairs@NortheastState.edu or in person at the VMSSC on the Blountville, TN campus.

Financial Information

Tuition and eligible fees are submitted to the VA and are determined by the start and end date of each course of study for which the student is registered. The amount certified is the tuition and fees charged to the student after deducting any amount paid with Federal Funds, excluding Federal Financial Aid Programs (Title IV).

Students will not be monetarily or academically penalized due to late VA payments, according to PL115-407 Section 103. VA payments are defined as money received at the institution to be paid toward tuition and eligible fees.

State law allows eligible students receiving VA educational benefits additional time to remit fee payments, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-7-104 (Public Chapter 767, Section 3, 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. 

A Request for Certification and Deferment of Fees application must be submitted each semester. This form provides permission for the student to release enrollment information to the VA, combined with the application for a deferment for the current semester. 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 have been received 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. All VA students who are eligible for veteran education benefits may complete the Request for Certification and Deferment of Fees application at the following link: Veteran Affairs Request for Certification and Deferment of Fees (www.northeaststate.edu).

Please note that students must pay the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement before the last day of the semester. A late fee of $100 will be charged to all accounts with an outstanding balance on the last day of the semester.

The benefits certified by Northeast State Community College are as follows:

• Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill^® (Prior Active Duty)
• Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment
• Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill^®¹
  • Service Member & Dependent
• Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance
• Chapter 1606: Montgomery Selected Reserve/National Guard
• Tennessee Strong Act
• Tuition Assistance

Veterans and other eligible persons may receive educational benefits under Title 38, U.S.C. only when classified as a regular degree-seeking students. Furthermore, benefits are payable only for courses required for graduation in the declared major (except for 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 receiving the following benefits are required to verify enrollment each month:

• Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill^®
• Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill^®
• Chapter 35 - Survivor and Dependents Education Act (only those students enrolled in Non-College Degree Programs)
• Chapter 1606 - Montgomery Selected Reserve/National Guard

Students 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 phone, text message, or email.  To begin the process, please visit: www.Gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do or call 1-888-442-4551.

¹The G.I. Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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.