1. No category

WELCOME TO THE
VOLUNTEER BRIDGE PROGRAM
Your pathway to becoming a Volunteer
Dear New Volunteer,
Congratulations on your acceptance into the Volunteer Bridge Program. On behalf of our faculty,
staff, students, and alumni, we welcome you to the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State
Community College.
The Volunteer Bridge Program is designed to support a select group of promising prospective UT
students who would benefit from the combined academic support and opportunities of both the
University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College. In this program, you have the
opportunity to not only secure your admission to UT, but also build academic skills and success
strategies to thrive in college and beyond. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to your success and wellbeing, and we urge you to take advantage of all of your resources at both institutions to make the most
of your Volunteer Bridge Program experience.
As you join this community, we want you to understand what it means to be a part of the Volunteer
Bridge Program. The program serves as your bridge to UT, of course, but you also serve as a bridge
between our two institutions, acting as ambassadors for both schools and this program. You have a
unique opportunity to promote our shared values of academic excellence, civility, and engagement
across multiple campuses and in the greater Knoxville community, and we hope that you will use the
opportunities and resources that you have been given to embody these values to the fullest wherever
you are.
Congratulations again on taking the first steps towards becoming a graduate of the University of
Tennessee. We wish you all the best in your academic and personal endeavors and look forward to
seeing you progress through Pellissippi, UT, and beyond.
Welcome to the Class of 2019!
Sincerely,
Jimmy G. Cheek
Chancellor
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
L. Anthony Wise, Jr.
President
Pellissippi State Community College
2
Dear Volunteer Bridge student,
In this packet, you will find information about everything you need to do to prepare for beginning the
Volunteer Bridge Program in July or August 2015. After carefully reading through all of the
information here and in the 2015-2016 Volunteer Bridge Student Handbook (which can be found on
our website at http://bridge.utk.edu), please go to the link below to complete a brief survey that will
help us best advise you and customize your progress through the program.
http://tinyurl.com/volbridgeconfirm
We are so pleased that you have joined the Volunteer Bridge Program and look forward to meeting
you at orientation on June 24th or July 1st. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime,
please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Jessie Abernathy
Volunteer Bridge Program Coordinator
Assistant Director, First-Year Studies
University of Tennessee
(865)974-3523
[email protected]
Aaron Overall
Student Affairs Support Specialist
Pellissippi State Community College
(865)694-6735
[email protected]
[email protected]
Skype Username: volunteerbridge
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUNTEER BRIDGE PRE-ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
5
SHOULD I START IN SUMMER OR FALL?
6
LEARNING SUPPORT (LS) REQUIREMENTS AT PSCC
7
APPLYING TO PELLISSIPPI STATE
8
ORIENTATION: JUNE 24-25 / JULY 1-2
9
GET INVOLVED - IGNITE
10
APPLYING FOR HOUSING
11
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
12
VOLUNTEER DINING (MEAL PLANS)
13
PROGRAM COSTS & FINANCIAL AID GUIDE
14
ADVISING & REGISTRATION
17
FIRST-YEAR STUDIES 100
18
4
VOLUNTEER BRIDGE
PRE-ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
After reviewing the information in this packet and in the 2015-2016 Bridge Student Handbook (download at
http://bridge.utk.edu), complete this survey: http://tinyurl.com/volbridgeconfirm.
Apply for admission to PSCC for the summer term (if planning to begin the Bridge Program in summer) or fall
term (if planning to begin in fall). Go to https://ps15.pstcc.edu/forms/admissions/checklist/ and
apply online as a first time freshman (not transient or non-degree). There is no special PSCC admission
application for Volunteer Bridge students. Note that UT will provide your high school transcripts and tests scores
to PSCC, so you do not need to complete those steps. Please apply to PSCC no later than May 30, 2015.
Complete the 2014-15 FAFSA (if beginning the program in summer 2015) and the 2015-16 FAFSA, both with
PSCC as the #1 institution (school code: 012693). The deadline for the 2014-15 FAFSA is June 30, 2015.
Make sure that your TN Promise and/or TN HOPE Lottery Scholarship (if eligible) is being sent to PSCC. See the
enclosed material for more information.
Send final high school transcripts and test scores to UT’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions (320 Student
Services Bldg, Knoxville, TN 37996). UT will share this information with PSCC. If you earned any college credit at
another institution (e.g., dual enrollment credit), be sure to have those transcripts sent to UT and PSCC!
Apply for housing (if non-commuter) and dining (optional) at UT. See the enclosed materials for more info.
Please apply for housing as soon as possible after confirming your admission to the program.
Register for Bridge orientation on June 24-25 or July 1-2. See the enclosed materials for instructions on how to
register. There is a $150 fee for students and a $50 fee for guests. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend
orientation. Summer-start students should attend the July 1-2 orientation session.
If you are a local student or can travel to the area, make an advising appointment for fall 2015 advising and
registration with PSCC prior to June 23rd by calling Aaron Overall at (865)694-6735. Students beginning in
summer will be contacted regarding summer 2015 advising and registration.
Submit your PSCC and UT immunization requirements. See the enclosed materials for more information.
Begin FYS 100 on June 1, 2015. This is an online course required of all first-year students at UT. You will receive
more information about it in May. The course will not open until June 1st.
(optional) Take the UT Language Placement Exam. Even though Bridge students taking a foreign language in their
first year will take the language at PSCC (which does not require a language placement exam), it is still a good idea
to take UT’s placement exam prior to orientation. Any Bridge student who scores a 275+ on the UT placement
exam and passes intermediate-level language at PSCC will receive 6 hours of elementary language credit at UT.
For more information and to take the exam, visit http://lrc.utk.edu/placement/.
(optional) Submit the PSCC scholarship application. See the enclosed materials for more information. (Note:
Volunteer Bridge students are not eligible for UTK institutional scholarships during their first year.)
5
SHOULD I START IN SUMMER OR FALL?
Volunteer Bridge students have the option to begin the program in second summer session 2015 or fall 2015. Here’s
what you need to know to decide which option is best for you.
SUMMER-START
FALL-START
Move in to the dorm (if non-commuter student)
June 30
August 15*
Orientation
July 1-2
June 24-25 or July 1-2
Classes start
July 6
August 24
Classes/Exams end
August 6
December 10
Take classes at
UT (summer) & PSCC (fall/spring)
PSCC only
Will most likely complete the Bridge Program in
spring 2016
summer 2016
FAFSA year(s)
2014-15 and 2015-16
2015-16
# semesters to complete program if needed
4
3
th
*The LLC move-in date for fall has not been set yet, but it should be on or before August 15 .
Second Summer Session 2015:



You would move into Morrill Hall on June 30th. Orientation is July 1st and 2nd. Second summer session classes start
July 6th and end August 6th. Welcome Week at UT begins August 15th, and you would need to be back on campus no
later than August 21st. Fall classes at PSCC begin August 24th.
You would take one or two 3- or 4-hour general education courses and one 1-hour FYS 101 course at UT.
o You would be advised (locally or by phone or email) by a UT adviser in your prospective college (if known)
and placed in the courses that best suit your major pathway and interests. If you have a learning support
need in English, reading, or math, you will be placed in a course that satisfies that requirement.
 Students with a learning support need in English (ACT below 18), reading (ACT below 19), or math
(ACT below 19) are strongly encouraged to begin the program in second summer session, unless
they would benefit from learning support coursework in that area.
o You would need to enroll in at least 6 credit hours to be eligible for financial aid in summer.
Summer 2014 falls under the 2014-15 academic year, so if you want financial aid for summer 2015, you must
complete the 2014-15 FAFSA (in addition to the 2015-16 FAFSA you’ve probably already filled out). The deadline
for doing so is June 30, 2015.
Fall 2014 Semester:




You would be able to move into Clement Hall on or after ~August 15th. Fall classes at PSCC begin August 24th.
If you have a learning support need in reading, you must have cleared it before beginning fall classes at PSCC.
You will register for fall classes at orientation or before.
Fall-start students may exhaust their 2015-2016 financial aid by the end of spring semester. Therefore, students
who need to complete program requirements in summer 2016 may not have financial aid for that semester.
Students expecting to need summer coursework to complete the program are encouraged to begin in second
summer session 2015 to take advantage of 2014-15 financial aid.
So why start the program in summer?






Get a head-start on your program requirements.
Clear learning support requirements (if applicable) while also earning hours towards your degree.
Get to know other Bridge and UT students and your UT support staff before everyone arrives in the fall.
Get a taste of the UT classroom and meet some UT faculty.
Get financial aid for the summer without reducing your fall/spring aid (an option you may not have for sum 2016).
Get four semesters (sum 2015, fall 2015, spring 2016, and sum 2016) to complete your program requirements.
6
LEARNING SUPPORT (LS) REQUIREMENTS AT PSCC
PSCC offers learning support (LS) coursework in English, reading, and math for students who are placed below college
level in those areas. Placement is determined by standardized test scores.
COLLEGE LEVEL
English
Reading
Math
ACT
18 and above (English)
19 and above (Reading)
19 and above (Math)
SAT
450 and above (Critical Reading)
460 and above (Critical Reading)
460 and above (Math)
Students who fall below college-level test scores in one or more of these areas are required to take two-six credit hours
of non-transferrable LS coursework before or while taking college-level (transferrable) coursework. This nontransferrable credit does not count towards the 30 transferrable hours needed to satisfy Bridge Program requirements,
so students who need LS coursework may not be able to complete their program requirements in fall and spring only.
LS requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways:
 Taking non-transferrable LS coursework in summer or fall 2015. For English and math, students can take this LS
coursework while also taking college-level coursework, so it is feasible for English and math LS students to begin
the Bridge Program in fall semester and take LS coursework while taking college-level (transferrable) coursework
at PSCC. Reading LS coursework, however, must be taken before college-level coursework can be taken, so
any Volunteer Bridge student who is designated LS in reading must clear the reading LS requirement before
beginning fall 2015 coursework at PSCC to remain in the Volunteer Bridge Program.
 Retaking the ACT/SAT and raising the LS sub-score above college-level placement requirements.
 Completing college-level coursework in the LS area at a qualifying institution.
o Beginning the Volunteer Bridge Program in second summer session 2015 and successfully completing
coursework at UT can satisfy LS requirements.
o Earning a C or higher in a dual enrollment course can clear an LS requirement
o Earning AP or IB credit in a course can clear an LS requirement (as does the SAILS program for math)
 Reading only: Taking the reading placement test at PSCC and placing into college-level coursework via a
qualifying score. After acceptance to PSCC, call Heather Hatfield at (865)539-7331 to schedule testing.
Students with LS requirements who feel they do not need learning support coursework are strongly encouraged to begin
the Volunteer Bridge Program in second summer session 2015 to take coursework at UT that would not only satisfy the
LS requirement(s) but also earn hours towards Bridge Program completion and UT graduation.
Additionally, students with an ACT math sub-score below 21 (or SAT math sub-score below 500) who are interested in a
UT major requiring calculus or basic calculus (such as business, math, natural sciences, engineering, sport management,
etc.) are encouraged to begin the Volunteer Bridge Program in second summer session 2015 to take college algebra
(MATH 119) at UT, if they feel prepared to be successful in college algebra. Otherwise, such students should expect to
take non-transferrable math coursework (in addition to transferrable coursework) in fall 2015 at PSCC.
MATH SUB-SCORE
ACT below 19 / SAT below 460
ACT of 19-20 / SAT of 460-490
NON-TRANSFERRABLE HRS NEEDED
6 credit hours
3 credit hours
7
APPLYING TO PELLISSIPPI STATE
If you have not already applied for admission to PSCC, you should do so ASAP. There is no application fee. To apply, go to
https://ps15.pstcc.edu/forms/admissions/checklist/. You should apply as a first-time freshman, degree-seeking, for
summer or fall 2015. After you are admitted, be sure to:

Provide proof of citizenship. You may either scan or take a good picture of one of the following forms of ID and
e-mail it to [email protected].
o A valid regular Tennessee driver license or photo ID license (temporary driver license or identification
license or permit is NOT acceptable);
o A valid driver license or photo ID license from another state (except for Utah and New Mexico);
o An official birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction, or territory, except for Puerto Rican birth
certificates issued before July 1, 2010;
o A U.S. government-issued certified birth certificate;
o A valid, unexpired U.S. passport;
o A U.S. certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545);
o A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the U.S. (FS-240);
o A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561);
o A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570, or N578); or
o A U.S. citizen identification card (I-197, I-179).

Complete your immunization requirements (see immunization section of welcome packet)

Once you have been issued a PSCC student ID (PNumber) and PSCC username, set up your password so you can
access MyPellissippi, D2L, and your PSCC email account (at http://my.pstcc.edu). It is highly recommended that
you make your PSCC password and your UT password the same, and that you are careful not to let your
passwords expire. Your PSCC password will be your PNumber until you change it (and you should definitely
change it to something more secure). If you need help setting up your PSCC computer account, please call the
PSCC Helpdesk at (865)694-6537.
Note that UT will provide your high school transcripts and test scores to PSCC (don’t forget to send your final high school
transcripts to UT after the semester is finished!). If you have any college credit from another institution (such as dual
enrollment courses), be sure to request that transcripts be sent from that institution to both UT and PSCC.
You are encouraged to apply for financial aid at the time of application if you haven’t already. Remember that you
should submit the 2014-15 FAFSA in addition to the 2015-16 FAFSA if you are considering beginning the program in
second summer session 2015 at UT. When you complete your FAFSA(s) be sure to put PSCC as your #1 institution. If you
have already completed your FAFSA(s) with another institution as your #1 institution, you should go into the FAFSA web
portal to change that to PSCC.
8
ORIENTATION: JUNE 24-25 / JULY 1-2
Congratulations on your admission to the Volunteer Bridge Program! The New Vols Experience: Orientation is the first
step in your transition to the program. It is an exciting and engaging experience full of informative presentations and
much more designed to help you enter the program informed and confident.
We have created a two-day orientation program specifically for Volunteer Bridge students and their families! Schedule
highlights include: meeting with administrators from both campuses, learning how to be successful as a Bridge student,
and receiving advising and financial aid counseling.
Orientation will occur on the following dates, depending on your entry term:


Fall Entry: June 24 – 25
Summer Entry: July 1 – 2 (which immediately precedes the beginning of second summer session coursework)
All Volunteer Bridge students must attend one of the orientation sessions above. We recommend that fall-start students
attend the June 24-25 orientation session, but they can attend the July 1-2 session instead if preferred. Summer-start
students are strongly encouraged to attend the July 1-2 session, since it immediately precedes the start of second
summer session classes, but they can attend the June 24-25 session instead if necessary.
Please register for orientation by visiting bridge.utk.edu/orientation and clicking the “register for orientation” link
towards the bottom of the page.
The registration fee is $150/student and $50/guest (over 18). For more information about what is and is not covered by
these fees, please visit newvols.utk.edu or contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at (865)974-4546 or
[email protected].
Prior to orientation, there are a few steps you need to take to be a Bridge student:



Activate your free UT email account. Visit oit.utk.edu/lifep to learn more. Your UT email account is the official
means of communication between students and the university.
Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov for the 2015-16 academic year to receive all possible sources of financial aid. If
you are beginning the Volunteer Bridge Program in second summer session 2015, you should also complete the
2014-2015 FAFSA. PSCC should be your #1 institution for both FAFSA’s.
Submit a Photo for Your UT Student ID (VolCard). You will receive your UT Student ID (VolCard) at orientation.
You will need to upload a photo for your Student ID by June 25 to allow time to prepare your ID prior to
orientation. To upload a photo, visit http://volcard.utk.edu/photo-upload/ and have your NetID, password, and
a photo ready. After uploading your photo, be sure to re-enter the photo upload site to verify that your photo
was accepted! For more information about the NetID & password, visit https://oit.utk.edu/accounts/netid/Pages/Find-Your-NetID-(Faculty-and-Staff).aspx.
We look forward to seeing you this summer! If you have any questions about Orientation, please feel free to contact us.
New Student & Family Programs
412 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996
865-974-4546
[email protected]
9
GET INVOLVED - IGNITE
10
APPLYING FOR HOUSING
Congratulations on your admission to the Volunteer Bridge Program! We are excited to have you join the UT community
and want to make sure you get the most out of your university experience. Living on campus is a critical component to
your success. Research demonstrates that students who live on campus are more satisfied with university life and are
more successful academically. By living on campus you will also be part of a range of activities designed to connect you
with the university and enhance your overall college experience. The University requires all first-year students to live on
campus (as non-commuters) unless commuting from the home of a parent or legal guardian within 50 miles of UT’s
campus and in TN. If you are eligible to commute and wish to do so, you will need to contact University Housing.
All non-commuter Volunteer Bridge students live together in Clement Hall in fall and spring as part of a living and
learning community. Students participating in the (optional) second summer session 2015 component will live in Morrill
Hall during the summer, then transition to Clement Hall for fall and spring. If beginning the program in summer, you
will need to complete separate contracts for summer 2015 and for the 2015-2016 academic year. If you are still in the
program in summer 2016 and wish to remain in university housing, you can complete a summer 2016 contract in spring.
If you are beginning the program in second summer session 2015, complete these steps:
1. Please click My Housing.
2. Log in to the system with your NetID and password.
3. If you have forgotten your password, click this link: https://ds.utk.edu/passwords/default.asp?func=netid.
Follow the instructions provided. Once you reset your password, return to step one.
4. Select the summer 2015 term.
5. You are preparing to enter into a legally binding contract for University Housing for the summer 2015 term
(second session). Click the “I Agree” button to accept the terms and conditions of the housing contract.
6. Enter your hall preferences. (The system requires you to enter preferences even though all Bridge students will
automatically be assigned to Morrill Hall for second summer session 2015. Enter three different preferred halls.)
7. Select “I Agree” to complete confirmation of your housing contract.
8. In the menu on the left, click “Home” to return to the term list and fill out a contract for Fall 2015-Spring 2016,
using the instructions below.
All Bridge students should complete these steps (including summer-start students):
1. Please click My Housing.
2. Log in to the system with your NetID and password.
3. If you have forgotten your password, click this link: https://ds.utk.edu/passwords/default.asp?func=netid.
Follow the instructions provided. Once you re-set your password, return to step one.
4. Select the fall 2015 – spring 2016 contract.
5. You are preparing to enter into a legally binding contract for University Housing for the 2015-2016 academic
year. Click the “I Agree” button to accept the terms and conditions of the housing contract.
6. Enter your hall preferences. (The system requires you to enter preferences even though all Volunteer Bridge
students will automatically be assigned to Clement Hall for fall and spring. Enter three different preferred halls.)
7. Select “I Agree” to complete confirmation of your housing contract.
Please complete your housing application(s) as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming you to your new home
at the University of Tennessee. If you have questions about housing, please contact the University Housing Office by
email ([email protected]) or by phone (865-974-3411). For other questions regarding the Volunteer Bridge Program, you
may call the First-Year Studies office at (865)974-3523.
11
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
All Volunteer Bridge students should have successfully submitted their immunization records to UT and PSCC prior to
orientation on June 24th or July 1st. Students who have not satisfied their immunization requirements with PSCC prior to
orientation may not be able to register for fall classes at orientation.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)*
Hepatitis B**
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)*
Hepatitis B**
*If you attended a TN high school after 2001, you do
not need to provide proof of MMR to PSCC.
** If under 18, the Hepatitis B form must be signed by
a parent or guardian.
*If you attended a TN high school after 2001, you
do not need to provide proof of MMR to PSCC.
**If under 18, the Hepatitis B form must be signed
by a parent or guardian.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis B
Meningitis
Tuberculosis (TB)*
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis B
Tuberculosis (TB)*
*First complete the TB screening questionnaire. If
every answer is “no,” that’s all you need to submit. If
you answer “yes” to anything, you need to have a
doctor complete the risk assessment form.
*First complete the TB screening questionnaire. If
every answer is “no,” that’s all you need to submit.
If you answer “yes” to anything, you need to have
a doctor complete the risk assessment form.
Students or their representatives should submit their complete immunization records to the Volunteer Bridge Program
coordinator via one of the following methods:
Email: [email protected][1]
Fax:
(865)974-2944
Mail:
Jessie Abernathy
First-Year Studies
Greve Hall, Room 217
Knoxville, TN 37916-3392
The coordinator will then distribute the necessary records to each institution. Students who prefer to submit their
immunization records directly to the institutions must submit the requisite records to each institution.
For the forms and further information about how to fulfill UT’s immunization requirements, visit the UT Student Health
Services website: http://studenthealth.utk.edu/immun_index.php. For the forms and more information about how to
fulfill PSCC’s immunization requirements, visit their website: http://www.pstcc.edu/admissions/enrollment-steps.php.
UT and PSCC can also accept a printout of your immunization records (but you will still need to submit the TB form[s] to
UT). If your immunization records are not in PSCC’s and UT’s systems prior to orientation, you may be prevented from
advising/registration, moving into campus housing, beginning classes, and more – so get these done early!
[1]
Because medical records often contain social security numbers and other sensitive information, we recommend that you fax, mail,
or hand-deliver records, as email is not guaranteed to be secure.
12
VOLUNTEER DINING (MEAL PLANS)
Volunteer Dining at the University of Tennessee offers a variety of meal plans to serve students in over 40 dining
locations. Volunteer Bridge students are not required to purchase a meal plan, but if they wish to, they can choose from
any of the meal plans offered, regardless of commuter status. Bridge students typically prefer the more flexible plans.
UT meal plans and dining dollars cannot be used at PSCC, and on-campus dining services may be very limited over UT’s
fall and spring breaks (which differ from PSCC’s fall and spring break periods).
Once a student signs up for a meal plan, that plan cannot be canceled. Students may change their meal plan up to three
times, up to the 20th day of the semester, but they may not cancel them once the contract has been signed. For this
reason, students should consider carefully whether they wish to sign up for a meal plan and which plan best suits their
needs before signing up for a plan. Students can sign up for a meal plan at www.utdining.utk.edu.
Fall/Spring Meal Plans:










Vol Block Plan ($2,045/sem) The Vol Block Plan gives you 165 meals to use for the entire semester at our All-You-Care-to-Eat
dining halls. The Vol Block Plan comes with $500 Dining Dollars to use at any Volunteer Dining location!
7-Day Access ($1,899/sem) The 7 Day Access plan provides the most freedom for dining. Eat what you want, when you want.
The 7 Day Access plan allows you to make as many visits as you would like at our residential restaurant any day of the week.
Stop in for a cup of coffee and an apple before class or for a full meal anytime during the day. The 7 Day Access plan comes with
$300 Dining Dollars to use at any Volunteer Dining location!
Any 10 Plan ($1,778/sem) The Any 10 Plan gives you 10 meals to use per week at our All-You-Care to eat dining halls. The Any 10
Plan comes with $300 Dining Dollars to use at our fast casual restaurants. Dining Dollars that are associated to meal plans will
carry forward to spring when spring meal plan is purchased.
Any 8 Plan ($1,778/sem) The Any 8 Plan gives you 8 meals to use per week at our All-You-Care to eat dining halls. The Any 8 Plan
comes with $450 Dining Dollars to use at our fast casual restaurants. Dining Dollars that are associated to meal plans will carry
forward to spring when spring meal plan is purchased.
Any 5 Plan ($1,288/sem) The Any 5 plan gives you 5 meals to use per week at our All-You-Care to eat dining halls. The Any 5 plan
comes with $500 Dining Dollars to use at our fast casual restaurants. Dining Dollars that are associated to meal plans will carry
forward to spring when spring meal plan is purchased.
Dining Dollar Plus ($1,135/sem) The Dining Dollar Plus plan offers apartment residents $1,135 to be used at any of our locations,
7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Make sure you have what you need to buy what you want!
Block 75 ($738/sem) The Block 75 plan gives you 75 meals to use for the entire semester at our All-You-Care to eat dining halls.
The Block 75 plan comes with $150 Dining Dollars to use at our restaurants. Dining Dollars that are associated to meal plans will
carry forward to spring when a spring meal plan is purchased.
Block 50 ($738/sem) The Block 50 gives you 50 meals to use for the entire semester at our All-You-Care to eat dining halls. The
Block 50 comes with $300 Dining Dollars to use at our restaurants. Dining Dollars that are associated to meal plans will carry
forward to spring when a spring meal plan is purchased.
Dining Dollar ($492/sem) The Dining Dollar plan offers $492 to be used at any of our locations, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Make sure you have what you need to buy what you want.
Flex Plan The Flex Plan program is designed to supplement a student’s campus dining needs. The $300 Flex Plan Dollars equal
about $18.75 per week or $2.67 per day. Flex Plan Dollars can be used at all Volunteer Dining locations on campus.
There is only one summer dining plan option, a $200 Dining Dollars plan that gives students $200 Dining Dollars to use in
all Volunteer Dining locations. These dining dollars do not roll over to fall.
More information about meal plans and the services and locations offered by Volunteer Dining can be found on the
Volunteer Dining website at http://ut.campusdish.com/. Students and parents will also hear from Volunteer Dining at
orientation and may want to wait to sign up for a meal plan until after orientation for that reason.
13
PROGRAM COSTS & FINANCIAL AID GUIDE
Please note that these cost estimates are based on 2014-15 rates and are subject to change. Also note that students
who do not meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for two or more semesters will have
their aid suspended. For more information on SAP at PSCC, visit http://www.pstcc.edu/financial_aid/sap.php.
Second Summer Session 2015 (Optional)




Students have the option to begin the Volunteer Bridge Program in second summer session 2015 or fall 2015.
Because second summer session 2015 is part of the 2014-15 academic year, students interested in receiving
financial aid in summer 2015 must complete a 2014-15 FAFSA in addition to the 2015-16 FAFSA. Since summer 2015
Bridge students won’t have used any other financial aid in the 2014-15 academic year, they have access to the full
annual amount of student loans.
All financial aid for Bridge students goes through PSCC, even when attending UT in second summer session. PSCC
must be the #1 school on the FAFSA. Please note that students’ financial aid (if any) for summer will be released
after the semester begins (but before the UT payment deadline of July 17th). Students should expect to purchase
their summer books out of pocket, as they will need to buy their books before financial aid is disbursed.
Students are also expected to attend one of the two Bridge orientation sessions. The registration fee is $150 for
students and $50 for guests (over 18).
TUITION/FEES & OTHER COSTS(http://bridge.utk.edu/admissions/tuition/)
UT: Tuition/Fees for 7 credit hours
UT: Housing (double room in Morrill Hall) – students may also choose to commute
UT: Bridge Program Fee
UT: Summer Dining Dollars meal plan – optional
UT: Books – students report paying as little as $75 and as much as $500 for books in 2nd
summer session; this is an average cost
UT: Parking – optional (if students choose to keep a car on campus, they need this pass)
Total Estimated Costs (including optional costs such as meal plan, housing, and parking)
Students receive only one bill in summer, from UT (no bill from PSCC for summer)
POTENTIAL AVAILABLE FINANCIAL AID(http://bridge.utk.edu/admissions/finaid/)
Subsidized Loans (if eligible) – federal loans that must be paid but do not accrue interest
while students are enrolled in school
Unsubsidized Loans (all students eligible) – federal loans that must be paid back and
which do accrue interest while students are enrolled in school
Parent PLUS Loan and/or Alternative Loan – federal PLUS loans are for eligible parent
borrowers. If a PLUS loan is denied, the student’s semester $1,000 unsubsidized loan
amount may be increased to $3,000. Alternative Student Loans are loans through a
private bank which often require a co-signer.
HOPE Scholarship (*if eligible) – does not kick in until fall semester
Pell Grant (*if eligible) – federal aid that does not need to be paid back. Whether a
student is eligible for any (partial or full) Pell Grant funding depends on estimated family
contribution (EFC) and other need-based factors.
Tennessee Promise (*if eligible) – does not apply to coursework taken at UT
In-State
$2,828
$766.39
$175
$200
$200
Out-of-State
$8,246
$766.39
$175
$200
$200
$97
$4,266.39
$97
$9,684.39
per semester
$3,500
$2,000
variable
N/A
maximum of $1,433*
(*if eligible)
N/A
14
Fall 2015 and Spring 2016

In fall 2015 and spring 2016, Bridge students have two bills due each semester – one for PSCC (tuition/fees) and one
for UT (select fees, housing, etc.). The UT payment deadline is deferred to a point later in each semester to allow
Bridge students to receive their excess financial aid money (if any) from PSCC before having to pay the UT bill.
 Bridge students living on campus are also assessed a one-time LLC fee of $50 in the fall semester.
Please note that the costs and aid amounts listed are per semester.
TUITION/FEES & OTHER COSTS(http://bridge.utk.edu/admissions/tuition/)
In-State
Out-of-State
PSCC: Tuition/Fees Estimate* for 15 credit hours (*based on 14-15 school year,
$2,020
$7,828
subject to increase)
PSCC: Books Estimate – this is an average cost estimate based on 2013-14 stats
$650
$650
UT: Student Services Fees (not including facilities fee or study abroad fee)
$565
$565
UT: Bridge Program Fee
$175
$175
UT: Housing (double room in Clement Hall) – students may also choose to
$2,990
$2,990
commute from the home of a parent or legal guardian
UT: Meal Plan – Bridge students are not required to purchase a meal plan. Meal
plans range from $492/sem to $2045/sem; this is an average cost estimate.
$1,300
$1,300
UT: Parking – Students who wish to keep a car on UT’s campus need this pass.
$142.50
$142.50
Motorcycle rates differ. Parking at PSCC is free.
Total Estimated Costs Per Semester – including optional costs
$7,842.50/sem $13,650.50/sem
POTENTIAL AVAILABLE FINANCIAL AID(http://bridge.utk.edu/admissions/finaid/)
Subsidized Loans (*if eligible) – federal loans that must be paid but do not accrue
interest while students are enrolled in school
Unsubsidized Loans (all students eligible) – federal loans that must be paid back
and do accrue interest while students are in school
Parent PLUS Loan and/or Alternative Loan – federal PLUS loans are for eligible
parent borrowers. If a PLUS loan is denied, the student’s $1,000/semester
unsubsidized loan amount may be increased to $3,000. Alternative Student Loans
are loans through a private bank which often require a co-signer.
HOPE Scholarship (*if eligible) – Bridge students receive the two-year HOPE
amount in the first year and receive the four-year amount in the second year and
beyond, assuming matriculation to UT and retention of HOPE scholarship
Pell Grant (*if eligible) – federal aid that does not need to be paid back. Not all
students are eligible for Pell Grants! Whether a student is eligible for any – partial
or full -- Pell Grant funding depends on estimated family contribution (EFC) and
other need-based factors.
Tennessee Promise (*if eligible) – applied only to students’ PSCC bills. Note that
this is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning that first the HOPE scholarship (if
eligible), PELL grant (if eligible), and other grants/scholarships will be applied to
the PSCC bill before TN Promise kicks in.
per semester
$1,750/sem.
$1,000/sem.
variable
$1,500/sem.*
(*if eligible)
maximum of $2,887/sem.*
(*if eligible)
Remaining PSCC bill*
(*certain fees and all books not
covered — if eligible)
Summer 2016


Students have until the end of summer 2016 to complete Bridge requirements or otherwise secure degree-seeking
admission to UT. Costs and aid are variable.
Note that students will likely have used all of their 2015-16 financial aid in fall and spring and thus may not have
financial aid left for summer 2016. Students relying on financial aid and expecting to need to attend one summer or
the other should plan to attend summer 2015, since it is in a different aid year.
15
Scholarships
Please make sure your TN Promise Scholarship* and TN HOPE Lottery Scholarship* (*if eligible) are being sent to PSCC.
To check this and change online (if needed), please log in to the TSAC Student Portal. You may also print the TSAC
Change of Institution Form and fax to the number provided. If you have questions, please call TSAC at 1-800-342-1663.
Pellissippi State awards numerous scholarships based on talent, academic achievement and/or financial need. By
submitting the PSCC Scholarship Application, you will be considered for any scholarships for which you may be qualified.
For instructions and to apply, please visit https://ps15.pstcc.edu/forms/fa/scholarship/scholarship_start.php. (NOTE:
Volunteer Bridge students are not eligible for any UTK scholarships during their first year in the program.)
Guidelines and Due Dates
All financial aid for Bridge students must go through PSCC every semester they are in the program, including second
summer session at UT. Any financial aid or scholarship money sent directly to UT for a Bridge student will be returned to
the sender. Bridge students should list PSCC (school code 012693) as their #1 institution on the 2014-15 (if beginning the
program in second summer session 2015) and 2015-16 FAFSA forms.
A student’s federal financial aid will be applied to the PSCC bill first. Then, the PSCC Financial Aid staff will disburse the
student’s excess financial aid, if any, to the student, who is then responsible for paying fees to UT. PSCC does not pay UT
directly. Each semester, the UT staff will place Bridge students receiving financial aid in a deferment, to allow time for
students to receive any excess financial aid before the UT bill is due.
Please note that excess financial aid will be released around the mid-point of second summer session, and it is not
possible for students to charge the cost of their books against their excess aid in summer. For this reason, summer-start
students should anticipate paying for the summer books out of pocket until financial aid is released.
**Bridge students are responsible for paying all requisite tuition and fees to each institution. Students receiving
excess financial aid from PSCC are responsible for collecting their excess aid and applying it to any outstanding
balance at UT. Students with overdue balances at either institution will have holds placed on their accounts and may
be removed from the program as a result.**
(Optional) Summer 2015 Second Session Bill Due Dates
UTK Bill
July 17, 2015
PSCC Bill & Schedule Confirmation Deadline
No PSCC Bill For Summer 2015
Fall 2015 Semester Bill Due Dates
PSCC Bill & Schedule Confirmation Deadline
August 10, 2015
UTK Bill – for students not receiving financial aid or scholarships
August 17, 2015
UTK Bill – for students receiving financial aid or scholarships
October 23, 2015
Spring 2016 Semester Bill Due Dates
PSCC Bill & Schedule Confirmation Deadline
January 7, 2016
UTK Bill – for students not receiving financial aid or scholarships
January 11, 2016
UTK Bill – for students receiving financial aid or scholarships
March 11, 2016
16
ADVISING & REGISTRATION
All Bridge students are required to meet with an adviser before registering for classes.
For 2015 second summer session advising & registration
Local students or students planning to visit campus will make an advising appointment and be advised in person by a UT
adviser. Non-local students will be advised remotely (by phone or email) by a UT adviser. Please note that remote
advising (phone/email) is available only for special circumstances prior to orientation and is not regularly an option for
students, who will otherwise be expected to meet with their advisors in person.
Summer students will take one-two general education courses and a one-hour FYS 101 course for Bridge students (for a
total of 4-8 credit hours). Students will be advised to take courses best suited for their major or degree path. Students
with learning support (LS) requirements will take coursework to satisfy those requirements. Please note that enrollment
in at least six credit hours is required for students to be eligible for financial aid in second summer session 2015.
Please review the UT Undergraduate Advising & Major Guides at http://www.utk.edu/advising/your-advisor/preparing
for tips on preparing for your UT advising appointment. You might also find the UT Undergraduate Catalog helpful. It is
located at catalog.utk.edu.
After completing the survey (linked on pages 2 and 3) to declare your plans to start in summer or fall and your
advising preferences, you will be contacted to arrange summer 2015 advising.
For 2014 fall advising & registration
If you live locally or can travel to Knoxville, please plan to meet with a PSCC advisor and register for fall 2015 classes at
PSCC no later than June 23, 2015. Please contact Aaron Overall at (865)694-6735 to schedule an appointment. If you are
not able to be advised and register for fall classes prior to orientation, you will meet with an advisor and register for fall
classes at orientation on June 24th or July 1st.
Please review the PSCC Advising Website at www.pstcc.edu/advising for tips on preparing for your PSCC advising
appointment. You might also find the PSCC Catalog (http://catalog.pstcc.edu/) and PSCC/UT Transfer Equivalency Table
(http://registrar.tennessee.edu/transfer/pellstate.shtml) helpful.
17
FIRST-YEAR STUDIES 100
FYS 100: The Volunteer Connection is a free, zero-credit-hour, online course (on
Blackboard) designed to introduce new students to academic life at the University of
Tennessee. To help their transition to the Volunteer Community, all new UT students
are required to take FYS 100. UT offers a slightly modified version of the course for
Volunteer Bridge Program students, to accommodate their specific needs. Because
Volunteer Bridge students participate in PSCC’s common reading program, rather than UT’s Life of the Mind program,
Bridge students are not required to read the UT Life of the Mind book or complete Life of the Mind-related assignments
and events (though they are welcome to participate, of course). In place of the Life of the Mind component of FYS 100,
Bridge students will receive information on how to be successful in the Bridge Program. The other FYS 100 modules will
also contain information on both UT and PSCC to provide comprehensive information to start them off strongly.
FYS 100 will open on June 1, 2015. The course may be completed entirely online and over the summer. You will receive
more information about the course at a later date.
Here’s what past students have said about FYS 100:
18