The search for money to pay for college begins with two key financial aid applications that are now open.

To receive financial aid between the fall 2027 and summer 2028 semesters, East Tennessee State University officials encourage current and prospective students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the ETSU General Scholarship Application.

“Don’t miss out on funding opportunities that can save thousands of dollars,” said Catherine Morgan, director of the ETSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.  

Sierra Arguello, a member of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Student Advisory Council, recommends that students submit both applications as soon as possible.

“It is better to do so the soonest you’re able to,” Arguello said. “The semester gets busy, and when you’re balancing many things, it’s easy to forget. I encourage students to be proactive about these applications.”  

FAFSA

The U.S. Department of Education released the 2027-28 FAFSA in late September ahead of the expected Oct. 1 launch. Although the 2027-28 FAFSA remains open through June 2028, filing early ensures priority consideration for several types of financial aid.

“The FAFSA is the gateway not only to federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant and Federal Work-Study Program, but also to state and institutional funding,” said Morgan. “Many awards, including the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, require a completed FAFSA as well.”

A Federal Student Aid account is required to submit the application. The 2027-28 FAFSA will use 2025 tax information for determining the Student Aid Index (SAI). Students who plan to attend ETSU will need to include the correct school code (003487) on the FAFSA as well.  

“A FAFSA should be completed every year,” Morgan said. “It should always be one of the first steps students take in the financial aid process.”

After the roll out of a simplified FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education claims it takes no more than 15 minutes to complete.  

“When you do sit down to complete it, it is a much smoother process than you might think,” Arguello said.

Scholarships

The ETSU General Scholarship Application portal opens annually on Oct. 1 and closes March 1. These scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.  

“The application will ask a series of questions to determine a student’s eligibility for scholarships available in the portal,” said Morgan. “We are thankful for the generosity of those who provide funds to support these awards.”

Separate applications may be required for ETSU departmental scholarships, based on program of study, and external scholarships, awarded from local civic organizations, employers, and trusted online sources like FastWeb.com.

Other free financial aid resources

  • All college-goers in the Tri-Cities are invited to ETSU’s Tri-Cities Financial Aid Night on Oct. 5, from 5-8 p.m. to receive free in-person FAFSA help. The event will be held in the ballroom on the third floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center.
  • ETSU students have another opportunity to get free in-person FAFSA help during the Jordan Center’s Fiscal Fitness Day on Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. located on the second floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center.
  • ETSU also offers an online FAFSA Guide featuring step-by-step instructions, a breakdown of financial aid terms and FAFSA advice tailored to different family scenarios.

ETSU is committed to balancing academic quality with affordability. Nearly 84 percent of ETSU students receive some form of financial aid.  

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at finaid@etsu.edu or (423) 439-4300.