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Changes Made to Tennessee Student's Access to Financial Aid in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

December 2020

Author: Anna Johnson

Legislative Brief

Tennessee students may receive state and federal financial aid to pay for higher education expenses. Financial aid often has initial and/or continuing requirements that students must meet to receive the aid.

Due to effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), such as facility and school closures, unexpected unemployment from business closures, and resulting financial instability from lost wages and benefits, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) adjusted federal and state higher education rules for student financial aid to ensure that students can maintain access to financial aid during the pandemic.

This brief describes changes to both state and federal financial aid, and examines the potential impact of the adjustments.