As a university defined by the Volunteer spirit, we are committed to working with all veteran and military-connected students to support their educational success and financial health.
In order to use your veteran benefits and be placed on the Veterans Payment Plan to defer your charges for the mini term and summer 2026 semester, you must submit your enrollment certification form to the Veterans Success Center- Veterans Benefits Office. The TN STRONG Act packet must be submitted to utktnstrongact@utk.edu
For students using benefits for mini-term or summer:
The due date for submitting the enrollment form or TN Strong Act packet to be placed on the Veterans Payment Plan is May 12th 2026.
The Bursar’s Office will place students using these benefits on the veterans payment plan through the close of business on May 18th. Please be patient and allow time for the veterans payment plan to show up on your account. The
The Bursar’s office will NOT drop schedules on the 18th if you are not on the veterans payment plan. If you have turned in your paperwork for the summer term and do not see the payment plan on May 19th, please check with our office by email at utkva@utk.edu or call at 865-974-5420.
If you are on the veterans payment plan and continue to show a balance during the term, you will still receive emails that your balance is due. There are two payment dates for summer: June 30th and July 29th. There is no late fee, no holds or penalty for missing these dates on the veterans payment plan, but your balance must be paid in full by Aug. 7th, 2026. A summer or MT balance that has not been satisfied before August 8th could result in late fees and/or holds on your account.
For students not using benefits for the mini term or summer:
If you do not wish to use your VA benefits or TN Strong Act for either the MT or Summer term, you will need to enroll in a regular payment plan or pay your balance in full by May 18th. You can enroll in a regular deferment plan by visiting your MyUTK portal.
Also, if you register for May Mini-Term or Summer 2026 courses after May 18, please pay your Account Balance in full or enroll in the regular Payment Plan by May 26 to avoid late fees and registration holds.
Once you have submitted your enrollment form to the Veterans Success Center, you will receive an automated email from “NG WEBSOLUTIONS” indicating that we have received it. You will receive a second email from us stating that the enrollment has been submitted to the VA, and a third email from the VA once they have received your claim.
If you are unsure if you have turned in your enrollment form, please do not submit a duplicate enrollment. This will delay your processing time.
We deeply appreciate our veteran and military-connected students and value the contributions you bring to Rocky Top. We’re here to support you.
GO VOLS!
Kevin Rushing, University Bursar
Jayetta Rogers, Chief Veterans Benefits Officer
Legislation regarding use of veteran education benefits
TN legislation regarding veteran education benefits TCA 49-7-104
https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2021/title-49/chapter-7/part-1/section-49-7-104/
Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018
38 USC 3679(e)(1) and Section 103 Public Law
A)A policy that permits any covered individual 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, 33, or 35 of this title and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
(i)The date on which the Secretary provides payment for such course of education to such institution.
(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date on which the educational institution certifies for tuition and fees following receipt from the student such certificate of eligibility.
(B) A policy that ensures that the educational institution 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 of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31 [1] 33, or 35 of this title.