Expenses and Financial Aid

Maintenance Fee

All pharmay students pay a flat maintenance fee (“tuition”) that is assessed at the rate of $27,000 per year and is based on full-time attendance. The maintenance fee is pro-rated in rare instances where a student may be enrolled as a part-time student (less than 12 credit hours).

Out-of-State Tuition

In addition the maintenance fee, non-residents of the State of Tennessee pay an out-of-state tuition charge of $6,000 per year. Residency classification is determined by the Gatton College of Pharmacy Office of Admissions at the time of admission to the program.

Program Service Fee

In addition to the maintenance fee, students are required to pay an annual program service fee of $1,751 that covers the cost of campus programs and services. The program service fee includes activity, technology access, postal services, graduation, drop/add, CPA, debt service, international education, and other fees. 

Current tuition and fees can be found on the Gatton College of Pharmacy website at Financial Aid (etsu.edu).

Pharmacy students are served by the College’s Financial Aid Office. The office makes every effort to assist pharmacy students in securing the financial resources. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need, which is the annual cost of attendance less the expected family contribution as calculated by the federal government from information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Financial aid available to student pharmacists consists of federally sponsored programs and limited scholarships. Students may only receive aid up to the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation, and personal and miscellaneous expenses). Student budgets are based on the expected educational expenses of the student; as such it is increased only under extenuating circumstances.

Students must submit a FAFSA and indicate the Gatton College of Pharmacy as the college of attendance (Federal School Code E01254) in order to apply for federal aid programs. Students eligible for the Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarships should submit the FAFSA no later than April 1 of each year in order to ensure consideration for the lottery scholarship. The FAFSA may be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Student pharmacists are enrolled in a qualifying health profession program. As such, all students are considered independent professional-level students are therefore eligible for higher annual and aggregate loan amounts under the Federal Direct Lending Program. The professional classification also allows students to be considered “independent” from their parents, eliminating the requirement to report parental income on the FAFSA. Professional students are ineligible for federal and state grants (e.g., the Pell Grant).

The U.S. Department of Education has the authority to select students for verification of FAFSA information. Selected students are required to complete the verification process and provide acceptable documentation to Financial Aid, as allowed under 34 CFR 668.57.

Questions regarding financial aid for student pharmacists should be directed to the Financial Aid Office, which may be reached by email (kincera@etsu.edu) or by phone (423) 439-6338 or in-person (VA Building 7, Room 216).

Federal regulations require Gatton College of Pharmacy to establish standards for monitoring whether students maintain satisfactory progress (SAP) toward their degree in order to receive aid under federal financial assistance programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Determination of whether a student is making satisfactory progress, be placed on probation, or be suspended for federal financial aid purposes is made by the Associate Director of Financial Aid based on specific criteria, outlined in the Student Handbook. These criteria pertain to federal financial aid only and should not be confused with the standards employed by the Academic Progression Committee (APC) to evaluate students’ continued enrollment in the Pharm.D. program.

Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy continuously explores the creation of grants, scholarships and awards. The most current information is maintained by the Office of Financial Aid website.

The College of Pharmacy is approved for the training of veterans and other eligible persons under education benefit programs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). The University Veterans’ Affairs Office, which coordinates the delivery of military-related educational benefits of the USDVA to eligible service members, veterans, and certain disabled veterans dependents, can provide information and application assistance to student pharmacists who might be eligible for receipt of such assistance. Veterans Affairs is located in Room 125 Yoakley Hall on the main campus and can be contacted at (423) 439-6819 or va@etsu.edu.

Veterans Affairs - Coordinates the delivery of military-related educational benefits of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), to eligible service members, veterans and family members of 100% permanent and total (P&T) disabled veterans. The office also assists Tennessee Air and Army National Guard personnel using the TN STRONG benefit, Army Reserve soldiers using Federal Tuition Assistance, and family members using MyCAA or AI Portal.

Primary entitlement programs administered by the Veterans Affairs office:

• Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Educational Assistance Program [Authority: Chapter 30, Title 38 United States Code (USC)];
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Program [Authority: Chapter 31, Title 38 USC];
• Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) Educational Assistance Program [Authority: Chapter 1606, Title 10 USC];
• Post 9/11 GI Bill® - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act (Public Law No. 115-48) [Authority: Chapter 33, Title 38 United States Code (USC)];
• Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program [Authority: Chapter 35, Title 38 USC];
• Veterans Work-Study Allowance Program [Authority: Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 of Title 38 & Chapters 1606 of Title 10 USC];
• Veterans Tuition & Fee Deferment Program [Authority: § 49-7-104 Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA)]
• Tennessee Support, Training and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsman (STRONG) Act of 2017 [Authority: § 49-4-1004 Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA)]
• State of Tennessee Public Chapter No. 31 granting in-state status for tuition to all users of a GI Bill® program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [Authority: § 49-7-1304 Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA)]

Information on the above federal programs, except VR&E and state programs, may be found at www.gibill.va.gov. VR&E information can be found at https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp. TN STRONG information is found at https://tn.gov/military/section/education-incentives.

Points of Contact - The Veterans Affairs office on campus provides information, forms and general assistance to those applying for the above education benefit programs. Official decisions on eligibility are made by the appropriate government office and not the ETSU Veterans Affairs office.

Questions regarding USDVA applications/benefit payments status (except VR&E) should be directed to: St. Louis Regional Processing Office Department of Veterans Affairs 9700 Page Avenue 314-253-4131 Suite 101-Education Saint Louis, MO 63132-1502 888-GI-BILL1 (442-4551)

VR&E beneficiaries should contact: Nicole Steltenkamp, Counselor/Case Manager Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment United States Department of Veterans Affairs E-mail: nicole.steltenkamp@va.gov 710 Locust Street, Suite 205 Knoxville, TN 37902 Voice: (865) 545-4258 Fax: (865) 545-4306

Policies & Procedures

1. As soon as students are enrolled for classes, they should contact Veterans Affairs each semester to request a certification of enrollment to the USDVA Regional Processing Office (RPO). Only required courses in the student’s officially declared academic program may be certified. RPO processing of enrollment certifications of the school can vary but generally require 45-60 days so students should plan accordingly for their personal finances.
2. Students must keep Veterans Affairs informed of all change(s) in enrollment so that timely reports can be made to the USDVA RPO.
3. Beneficiaries must attend classes and demonstrate satisfactory conduct and effort toward meeting the course requirements. Failure to maintain satisfactory attendance and conduct may result in retroactive adjustments in certified training time that will likely result in an overpayment of benefits that will be collected by the USDVA.
4. Monthly self-verifications of enrollment can be accomplished securely online at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/ or toll-free at (877) 823-2378. Interval payments (benefit payments for the time between terms) are also automatic when a beneficiary stays continuously enrolled. Retroactive payments occur only when the RPO processes an enrollment certification for a subsequent term.
5. A student needs only to remain in good academic standing with the institution for continued receipt of benefits.
6. A course for which a student receives an “Incomplete” must be graded within one year or the beneficiary will be subject to a retroactive adjustment in the semester’s training time likely resulting in an overpayment and recovery of benefits.
7. Pre-professional declarations (e.g., Pre-Med, Pre-Law, etc.) as the student’s major and/or enrolling in courses to meet prerequisites for professional study are not approved objectives currently approved by the USDVA.
8. A student must declare a major after their second semester using the GI Bill® benefit. An “Undeclared” status will be rejected for payment.
9. Military registry transcripts are required of all beneficiaries in undergraduate studies who have military service (see separate topic on how to request military registry transcripts). For credit-by-examination policy (e.g., CLEP, DSST, etc.), students should consult the “Non-Traditional Credit” pamphlet available from Undergraduate Admissions.
10. Beneficiaries are to regularly consult with their academic advisor and refer to their respective catalog of admission on academic requirements, policies and procedures. Moreover, students are expected to clearly identify their degree, major (including concentrations, emphasis, tracks, etc.) and minor, as required.
11. All changes to a student’s academic program (except VR&E) must be reported to the Veterans Affairs office for the completion of the appropriate forms and USDVA reporting. The academic program on file with Veterans Affairs must agree with what is declared with the university. VR&E beneficiaries must coordinate any changes in their academic program with their case manager who must approve a program change. Failure to report or coordinate changes of academic programs will likely result in delayed receipt of benefit payments.
12. Chapter 33 drops: Please remember that any drop in courses will result in your incurring a debt to the VA. If you are going to drop any classes, please drop them the day BEFORE the term starts. If you plan on dropping after the term starts, please consult with the ETSU Veterans Affairs Office to understand the debt that you will have to repay the Veterans Administration as a result.
13. Any covered individual will be able to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
    1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
    2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

East Tennessee State University 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 the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Veterans Tuition & Fee Deferments

Beneficiaries who pay in-state tuition and fees, have remaining benefit entitlement, and such entitlement does not expire within the semester may request additional time in payment of tuition and fees under state law. Approval is contingent upon a beneficiary demonstrating benefits eligibility with sufficient entitlement to cover tuition and fees and no indebtedness to the USDVA. If a continuing student, or one previously enrolled utilized a veterans tuition and fee deferment, the student must have paid in full deferred tuition and fees to remain eligible for the deferment. Students who do not follow the conditions of a deferment will forfeit their eligibility for deferments in all future enrollments.

In-State Tuition for GI Bill® Users

With the passage of Tennessee Public Chapter 31, any and all students who are using any Chapter of the GI Bill®, are living in the State of Tennessee, and are attending an institution of higher learning, are to be coded as in-state for tuition purposes. If you are not a resident of the state of Tennessee, please ensure you let Admissions know about this law. You will be required to prove U.S. citizenship by providing either:

1. A current (valid) U.S. passport; or
2. A copy of your birth certificate AND driver’s license (from any state)

You will then be coded for in-state tuition.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs

All students attending classes at ETSU must pay tuition and fees. Full payment of tuition and fees is due by the first day of classes for each semester. Students may elect to utilize an ETSU payment plan which allows payment to made in installments throughout the semester.  Go to www.etsu.edu/bf/bursar/payments for information on payment plan options.

Students who have loans, grants, scholarships, state or federal vocational rehabilitation, or any other type of financial aid covering all fees will have these funds applied to their student fees; all others should make payment through the Bursar’s Office by cash, check, or credit card.

The Bursar’s Office does not send bills to students for their tuition and fees. The best way for students to know their current financial obligation for the term is by viewing their account through GoldLink. Students who need a printed copy of their account statement may print a statement from GoldLink.

Refunds for maintenance fees, tuition, and debt service fees are determined as follows.

Change of a student’s status which may permit a refund

• Change in schedule which results in reclassification from full-time to part-time status;
• Change in a part-time student’s schedule which results in a class load of fewer hours.

Situations which may permit a refund

• Dropping a course or courses;
• Withdrawing from the institution;
• Cancellation of a class by the institution;
• Death of the student.

Refund Procedures

The refund amount for students not receiving Title IV aid and for those students who are not first-time students receiving Title IV aid is based upon the stated policy listed below.

• Refunds are defined as the portion of maintenance and/or tuition and university housing charges due as a rebate when a student withdraws or is expelled from the university. The amount of the refund is determined according to the schedule below.
• For first-, second-, and third-year students, 75 percent of maintenance and other required fees will be refunded for drops or withdrawals within 14 calendar days beginning with and including the first official day of classes or within a proportioned period for short-term courses. Twenty-five percent of maintenance and other required fees will be refunded following the 14th calendar day through the expiration of one-fourth of the time covered by the term. No refund will be made thereafter. These refund procedures are also applicable to dormitory rent. For fourth-year students, refunds will be based on the portion of pharmacy practice experiences completed during each semester.
• One hundred percent of fees will be refunded for classes canceled by the institution and for drops or withdrawals prior to the first day of classes for the regular academic terms. One hundred percent of fees will be refunded in case of student’s death.
• Students may request a full refund in cases of medical emergency.

Return of Title IV Federal Student Aid

This requirement applies to the student ONLY if the student receives federal student aid, AND the student withdraws prior to completing 60 percent of the period for which the aid was provided.

• The federal law requires federal aid recipients to “earn” the aid they receive by staying enrolled in college. Students who withdraw prior to completing 60 percent of the semester for which they received federal student aid may be required to return some or all of the aid they were awarded.
• The law assumes that the student used the Title IV student aid to pay his/her institutional charges-tuition, fees, dorm room, and board; thus, if the student withdraws prior to completing 60 percent of the semester for which aid was awarded, a pro-rated amount of that aid must be returned to the federal government.
• The university will restore to the appropriate federal fund source a proportional share of the institutional charges that the student paid. In general, the effect of the “return of Title IV aid” by the institution will be to reduce the student’s outstanding loan balance. If the amount returned by the university is not enough to repay the entire “unearned” amount of student aid according to the length of enrollment, the student will be required to return portions of the federal student aid received to pay non-institutional charges.
• Amounts that must be returned to federal aid sources (whether by the university or by the student) will first be applied to federal loans. With respect to any amount the student owes after the university has returned its share, the student will be permitted to repay loans based on the original terms of the loan agreement. In the case of “unearned” portions of federal grants or scholarships, the student will be expected to pay 50 percent of the “unearned” portion immediately.
• Any refund due to the student from the University for payment to cover institutional charges will first be applied to obligations to return “unearned” aid. Thus, portions of institutional refunds may be applied on the student’s behalf to outstanding Stafford or Perkins loans or to the federal portions of grants or scholarships and not actually refunded to the student. (This policy is based on 34 CFR, Section 668.22 of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.)

Students failing to progress normally due to academic reasons shall pay tuition at the prevailing rate when repeating courses in order to remove an academic deficiency. Occasionally, such students may be required to repeat courses previously passed when deemed to be in the student’s educational and professional interest. In such cases, a student shall not be charged tuition for said course(s). This policy does not apply in cases where students have been readmitted to the college following withdrawal or dismissal.