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How to Pay for College

Paying for College

Low tuition rates, scholarships, and many unique transfer opportunities allow you to save thousands of dollars on your education. You may qualify for free tuition, scholarships or grants. Learn more about how to Finance your education at Motlow.

Complete the FAFSA

Apply to Motlow

Apply for Aid

Quick Reference Table: Federal and State Aid Available at Motlow

Grant or Scholarship Who Should Apply? Eligible Programs How to Apply
Federal Pell Grant Everyone Associate Degrees & Federally Approved Certificate-Only Programs * FAFSA
TN Hope Scholarship Graduating High School Seniors or HiSet (GED) Equivalent Associate Degrees & Certificates Awarded as Part of the Degree FAFSA
TN Promise Graduating High School Seniors or HiSet (GED) Equivalent Associates Degree or Certificate Only Programs * FAFSA & TN Promise Application
TN Reconnect Adults (Independent as Determined by FAFSA) Associate Degrees & Federally Approved Certificate-Only Programs * FAFSA & TN Reconnect Application
TN Student Assistance Award Everyone Associate Degrees & Federally Approved Certificate-Only Programs * FAFSA

* See Certificate-Only Program Chart Below.

Certificate-Only Programs (Non-degree Seeking)

Can Financial Aid be used to earn a certificate at Motlow?

Please use the table below to determine what type of financial aid may be available as of Fall 2021.

Type of Certificate
Federal Pell Grant
 
TN Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
TN Reconnect
TN Promise
TN Lottery (Hope, Aspire, Merit)
Early Childhood Education
12 Hour Certificate
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Note: Additional state restrictions may apply.

Grants

Pell Grant: A federal grant that is awarded based on financial need and satisfactory academic progress. To determine eligibility, students must complete the FAFSA and all Student Requirements for Financial Aid in your MyMotlow account.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG): A federal grant for undergraduate students that are under the age of 24 and their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. (other restrictions apply).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): A federal grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need (as determined by the FAFSA).

Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA): A state grant established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) who are residents of Tennessee.

Loans

Motlow DOES NOT participate in student loan programs.

While your FAFSA may indicate that you are eligible for a loan, you would need to attend a college that participates in loan programs in order to receive a loan. Loans are not available at Motlow State.

Motlow offers a payment plan to help manage the cost of tuition.

Scholarships

Motlow Scholarships - Motlow is pleased to offer a number of scholarship opportunities for Motlow students.

CollegePays - The state of Tennessee has many scholarship opportunities for Motlow students including the Tennessee Reconnect, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship. To determine eligibility, students must complete the FAFSA and all Student Requirements for Financial Aid in your MyMotlow account. Students must also ensure that Motlow is the primary institution listed in their Student Portal with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

Veteran’s Financial Aid

If you’re a veteran, you have special grants and financial aid programs. Our office of Veterans Affairs can explain what programs you might qualify for.

Other Payment Resources and Options

Waivers and Exemptions

First, you might qualify for tuition waivers and exemptions. If so, you’ll pay less for tuition and fees. Find out if you’re eligible at the Business Office.

Employer Plans

Working? Employers often invest in their employees. One of the ways they do this is through tuition reimbursement, or tuition assistance. Check with your employer’s Human Resource department.

Self-Pay

Motlow is happy to offer you alternative payment options. A deferral allows you to pay for college later. All you need to start is a down payment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How and when will I know how much financial aid I am eligible to receive at Motlow State?

You will receive an email, to your Motlow Student Email account, to let you know when the financial aid office has received your FAFSA. Follow the directions in the email to log into your MyMotlow account and satisfy your student requirements for financial aid.

If your student requirements include turning in forms or documentation, continue to check your status in your MyMotlow account until you see that all requirements have been satisfied.

When your file is complete, you will receive an email in your Motlow Student Email account to advise you of your eligibility status.

When will I receive financial aid funds?

Financial aid funds that you are eligible to receive will be disbursed (transferred to your student account) on specified disbursement date(s) each semester. These disbursements usually occur within the first two weeks of each semester.

All financial aid will be applied to the balance of your student account first (tuition, fees, etc.). If the amount of your financial aid is more than the amount of your balance due, you will have a credit balance on your account. The Business Office will generate a refund to you for the amount of the credit.

Example 1: Your total charges are $2,000, and your total financial aid award is $2,500 — you have a credit balance of $500. After you have attended each of your classes (or actively participated in online classes), the Business Office will generate a refund for you in the amount of $500.

You will receive an email, to your Motlow Student Email account, when a refund has been generated.

Example 2: Your total charges for the semester are $2,000, and your total financial aid award for the semester is $1,500 — you owe the College $500 (out-of-pocket).

The college offers a deferred payment plan that will allow you to pay half of your balance due before the semester starts and the other half in two or three payments, after the semester starts.

If I am a TN Promise or TN Reconnect Student, I don't have to do any student requirements for the college's Financial Aid Office, Right?

No financial aid of any kind can post until you have satisfied all student requirements for the Financial Aid Office in your MyMotlow account.

If I am due a refund, will I receive a check in the mail?

You may choose to receive refunds by mail or by direct deposit to your bank account. The direct deposit option can be set up on the Student tab of your MyMotlow account. If you have not selected the direct deposit option for refund processing, the Business Office will mail a refund check to the address that the college has on file for you. It is important that you keep your address and contact information up-to-date with the Admissions and Records Office.

Balances must be paid (or a deferred payment plan must be in place) on or before the payment deadline for each semester. Check the Student Dates and Deadlines for each semester for the "Deadline to confirm or pay fees for pre-registration." Class schedules will be deleted for non-payment after this date.

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