2024-25 Student Handbook
Financial Services
The Financial Services section includes the following:
Check Your Financial Aid Status
You may review your financial aid eligibility by following the steps below:
- Go to onestop.apsu.edu.
- Log in to AP OneStop using your username and password.
- Select “Web Self Service.”
- Select “Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs.”
- Select “Eligibility.”
- From the drop-down menu, select the aid year for which you are checking eligibility. There are three tabs that help you understand your eligibility. The tabs are explained below:
Student Requirements
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- Unsatisfied student requirements will need to be addressed as soon as possible. Unsatisfied student requirements are the No. 1 reason financial aid does not post to your student account. Not all students will have requirements; however, it is important that you check often.
- Satisfied student requirements will allow you to view whether the submitted documents are being reviewed, completed or denied.
- Holds
- Common holds are loan defaults, satisfactory academic progress violations and transfer monitoring holds. You will need to clear any holds on your account before your financial aid can be processed. Financial aid holds will not keep a student from being able to register for courses.
- Academic Progress
- The status of academic progress is based on your academic performance for each academic year you are enrolled. Hindered progress toward the completion of your program of study or poor academic performance can affect your financial aid eligibility.
Accept your Financial Aid Award Offers
- Click on “Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs” tab.
- Select “Award.”
- Select the “Award for Aid Year.”
- From the drop-down menu, select the aid year for which are accepting aid.
- Select “Accept Award Offer.”
- Use the drop-down menu to “Accept” or “Decline” each award amount or change the amount you are requesting. Keep in mind this is the amount for the entire academic year, and will be split evenly between Fall and Spring semesters.
- Once you have entered your decisions, select “Submit Decision.”
Report Additional Resources
- If you are receiving outside aid not listed on your award letter, you must complete the Additional Resources Form. Examples include outside scholarships, discounts or benefits.
- The form is located at www.apsu.edu/financialaid/forms/online-forms.php
- Failure to report additional financial aid may result in an over award and require you to pay back any excess funds you receive that exceed your cost of attendance.
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Course Choice Counts for Financial Aid
For federal or state financial aid to pay for courses in your major, minor or other degree requirements, the course must be part of the program of study in the Degree Works system in AP OneStop. The U.S. Department of Education is requiring students to enroll in courses that fulfill degree requirements. It is important for students to talk to their academic advisor to ensure they are enrolling in courses required for their degree. For more information, visit www.apsu.edu/cpos.
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Financial Aid and Scholarships, Ellington 216, 931-221-7907
Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. Federal government, the state of Tennessee, lending institutions, private agencies and postsecondary institutions may offer financial aid assistance. Most federal- and state-funded financial aid programs are awarded on the basis of proven financial need. Need is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is determined from the FAFSA using a standard formula established by the U.S. Congress. Financial aid does not always cover the cost of books.
It is each student’s responsibility to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov prior to the upcoming academic year. Other required forms may be obtained online at www.apsu.edu/financialaid. The student must reapply each academic year for financial aid.
- Grants: Based on financial need (exception: Teach Grant) and normally do not have to be repaid.
- Student Loans: Borrowed money that must be repaid beginning six months after graduation, or if no longer enrolled at half-time status. For more details, visit www.studentaid.gov.
- Parent PLUS Loan: Borrowed money that must be repaid beginning immediately from the time funds are disbursed or other payment plans are available.
- Federal Work-Study: Based on financial need. Student works on campus up to 20 hours per week.
- Scholarships: For more information please visit the scholarship website at www.apsu.edu/scholarships.
Other Important Loan Information:
- Students may accept their loans on AP OneStop.
- Parents interested in borrowing a Parent PLUS loan may apply and see more information at www.studentaid.gov.
- The master promissory note is required by the Department of Education for both student and parent loans.
- Entrance counseling is required before loan can be disbursed to student’s account.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Aid:
- Academic progress is evaluated at the end of the spring term each academic year. Satisfactory academic progress must be met in order to be eligible for financial aid.
- Students must maintain good academic progress in order to continue eligibility for financial aid, to include loans.
- Students can lose eligibility to receive aid based on poor grades or attendance.
- Review Satisfactory Progress guidelines here.
Enrollment Status:
| Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students |
|---|---|
| Full Time = 12+ hours | Full Time = 6+ hours |
| 3/4 Time = 9 to 11 hours | 3/4 Time = 4 to 5 hours |
| Half Time = 6 to 8 hours | Half Time = 3 hours |
| Less than Half Time = 1 to 5 hours | Less than Half Time = 1 to 2 hours |
NOTE: If students are awarded financial aid for full time and drop to 3/4 or part-time,
they may be billed for the difference.
- The federal government randomly selects financial aid application files for verification of FAFSA data.
- Students may be asked to provide the following:
- IRS tax return transcripts or 1040 Tax Returns for parent and/or student
- Various verification worksheets
- Other information
- The student’s financial aid cannot be finalized until all verification documents are received.
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Veterans Education Benefits Office (VEBO), 931-221-7760
The Veterans Education Benefits Office assists active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, Guardsmen and family members with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, the VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VA VR&E) program and other services. VEBO is located at the Ellington Student Services Building, room 202, 931-221-7760. Students may contact VEBO for assistance with VA education benefits, the VA VR&E program and other services.
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Payment Information, Student Account Services, Ellington 101/107, 931-221-6285
If students preregister, the bill is electronically sent to their APSU email address approximately six to eight weeks prior to the first day of classes. Payment for the semester is due by the date shown on the bill (usually the first week of August for fall and the first week of January for spring). If tuition is not paid by the due date, classes will be dropped, students have to re-register for classes. Dropped classes are not always available when re-registering. A copy of the tuition statement is available in OneStop.
Charges on the bill remain the student’s obligation unless they properly withdraw from the university. If students withdraw before the first day of class, they will not incur tuition liability. After the first day, students will be responsible for the charges in accordance with the fee adjustment schedule. Not attending class does not relieve the student from their financial obligation or entitle them to a refund. Students who have confirmed their registration must withdraw officially from the university if they decide not to attend. Withdrawals are handled by the Office of the Registrar at 931-221-7121 or online here. See www.apsu.edu/sas for important dates. For appealing university fee decisions, visit www.apsu.edu/appeals.
Payments may be made online via OneStop or in person (cash or check) at the cashiers’ windows in Ellington from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Checks/money orders should be made payable to Austin Peay State University (APSU). The student’s name and A-Number should be listed on any check, money order or correspondence. Installment plans are available during all three semesters.
Discounts
The most common discounts are for dependents of public school teachers and state employees,
retired state employees and retired school teachers. If you are eligible for a discount,
forms must be submitted by the last day of late registration. Students receiving financial
aid deferments must turn discount forms in to the cashiers’ window by the last day
of late registration. A new form is required each term. The fee discount program is
not retroactive. For more information, visit www.apsu.edu/student-account-services.
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Student Account Services
Student Account Services is responsible for handling student accounts, which includes fee payments, placing charges and credits on accounts, answering inquiries about accounts, processing discount forms and preparing and disbursing student refund/balance checks. The office also prepares bills for student accounts and is responsible for the collection of past due accounts. The responsibilities of the office include accounting and reporting functions for Accounts Receivable.
APSU’s Student Account Services provides and maintains the official university accounting records and related systems of internal control in accordance with accounting principles, university policies and the requirements of the University Board, the federal government and external funding sources.
Confirmation of Classes
Confirmation is necessary to prevent a student’s classes from being dropped. Even if a student’s account shows a zero or credit balance, they must complete the confirmation process to retain their classes. Students may confirm their classes by logging on to AP OneStop at onestop.apsu.edu.
SAS is located in Ellington 101/107. You can also call 931-221-6285.
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Student Employment on Campus
General Campus Employment
On-campus employment, also known as general campus employment, is part-time work advertised by university departments. Students apply for general campus jobs through their Career Services Handshake account at https://joinhandshake.com. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at least half-time, apply via Handshake and be selected for an open position. Student employees may be hired for a maximum of two jobs at any given time and are not to exceed 20 total work hours per week. Student employees are considered temporary, part-time employees. Students are not eligible to work until they have completed the required Human Resources paperwork and been provided a work start date. After their first time being hired, students are required to attend New Student Employee Onboarding to help them connect their work experiences to future career skills. Contact Career Services at careerservices@apsu.edu or call 931-221-6544 to learn more.
Federal Work-Study Student Employment
Federal Work-Study is an employment program funded by the federal government to promote and encourage part-time employment of students to assist the university and its surrounding community. Federal Work-Study provides job placement for eligible students to earn money to assist with paying for educational expenses. Federal Work-Study is not available to pay registration, tuition or fees. Repayment of income earned through the Federal Work-Study employment program is not required.
To apply and determine Federal Work-Study eligibility, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov each year. The priority deadline for campus-based aid is March 1 of each year (March 1 is the date by which students’ financial aid files and all required documents are completed).
If you are awarded and choose to accept Federal Work-Study, accept the award within 14 days in AP OneStop. Once you accept your award, the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will send an email notification. Students will then be able to apply for Work Study positions by logging into Handshake. If selected, departments will interview students for hire. Those chosen for hire will then complete a hiring/onboarding process through Financial Aid and Human Resources.
Direct deposit your earnings by accessing Web Self-Service and entering your setup information. Select the “Employee” tab, “Pay Information,” “Direct Deposit Allocation” and “Update Direct Deposit Allocation.” Enter your financial institution information into the available fields. Confirm that the information is correct and select “Save.” For assistance, contact Payroll at 931-221-7465.
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Tennessee HOPE Lottery Scholarship, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Ellington 216, 931-221-7907
To maintain HOPE eligibility:
- FAFSA: Completing the FAFSA is the only way to apply, and must be submitted each year.
- Oct. 1: FAFSA opens at www.studentaid.gov.
- Maintain the enrollment status for which you were awarded. For example, if awarded for full time, you must maintain full-time enrollment.
- Please speak to the Office of Financial Aid before changing your enrollment status to prevent unexpected award cancellation.
- Courses must be counting under course choice counts to be eligible for Tennessee Hope Lottery Scholarship funding.
- TELS GPA reviewed at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 attempted hours.
- Must maintain required GPA. A GPA loss cannot be appealed.
- Strict appeal process — most cannot be appealed — if scholarship is lost, it is typically lost for the remainder of a student’s enrollment.
- Seek tutoring assistance immediately if struggling academically.
- Students are responsible for knowing and understanding criteria for retaining the scholarship(s).
- Go to www.apsu.edu/scholarships/tn-education-lottery-programs/dont-lose-hope for additional information.
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Tennessee Promise at APSU, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Ellington 216, 931-221-7907
To remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise at APSU, students must complete the following:
- Admitted to APSU and seeking an associate degree as the primary program of study.
- This scholarship may be used for up to five semesters of assistance, provided continuing eligibility is met.
- The Tennessee Promise service hours must be completed each semester by the deadline to remain eligible (please refer to TSAC Tennessee Promise checklist).
- Although the Tennessee Promise Scholarship is considered a last-dollar scholarship, it does not pay last dollar when utilized at a four-year institution. The scholarship only covers the average state community college costs of tuition and mandatory fees not met by gift aid from the Pell, TELS (including the HOPE scholarship, Aspire Scholarship, etc.) or TSAA programs.
- If a student’s gift aid amount exceeds the average community college tuition and mandatory fees, the student will not be eligible for a Tennessee Promise Scholarship payment at Austin Peay State University.
- Enrolled full time, which is 12 credit hours or more for undergraduate students. Courses must be counting under Course Choice Counts to be eligible for Tennessee Promise funding.
- Students participating in athletics must declare a bachelor’s degree, per NCAA regulations, and are not eligible for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship.
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Tennessee Reconnect (Nontraditional Student Scholarship), Financial Aid and Scholarships, Ellington 216, 931-221-7907
• Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar grant for adults to earn an associate degree. For more information, visit www.apsu.edu/scholarships/tennessee-reconnect or contact Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Although the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship is considered a last-dollar scholarship, it does not pay last dollar when utilized at a four-year institution. The scholarship only covers the average state community college costs of tuition and mandatory fees not met by gift aid.
• Courses must be counted under Course Choice Counts to be eligible for Tennessee Reconnect funding.
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Tuition and Fees, Student Account Services, Ellington 101, 931-221-6285
For current tuition and fee information, see www.apsu.edu/sas.