Navigating the UT Southern Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) offers a personalized and purposeful educational experience. As the only public four-year university between Chattanooga and Memphis, UT Southern anchors the Nashville-to-Huntsville corridor, serving communities along Tennessee’s southern border. To help students navigate their academic and financial journey, UT Southern provides a comprehensive student portal. This guide will walk you through the essential aspects of the UT Southern student portal, from accessing your account and managing finances to understanding important policies and procedures.

Getting Started: Admission and Access

The first step to utilizing the UT Southern student portal is, of course, becoming a Firehawk! If you're considering joining the UT Southern community, begin your journey by applying through the "Apply Now" button. Any student’s file not meeting regular admission requirements can appeal. Please ask your admissions counselor for more details. Students must provide a standardized test exam result (typically the ACT and/or SAT) in support of their application for admission. UT Southern uses standardized test sub-scores to determine placement levels in certain areas. In making the admissions decision, UT Southern may request all college transcripts, high school transcripts, and ACT scores.

Want to learn more about UT Southern? Fill out the short online form to receive a packet of information. You can also visit the campus by following the provided quick links to schedule an individual or group tour and explore academic, athletic, and student life opportunities. We’re glad you’re considering becoming a Firehawk!

Managing Your Finances Through the Portal

The UT Southern student portal is crucial for managing your financial obligations and aid. Here's a breakdown of key financial processes:

Tuition and Fee Payments

Tuition, comprehensive fees (maintenance and mandatory fees), room, board, and all other University fees are due by the published due date each semester. The student is responsible for completing all requirements for financial assistance. An account can be satisfied by either (1) payment in full or (2) enrollment in an official payment plan with the first installment completed. Accounts unsatisfied by the published due date each semester will have their schedule canceled. Accounts with unpaid tuition, fees, fines, or room and board charges on the last day of the payment period (last business day in October for the Fall term or last business day in March for the Spring term) may be assessed a $150.00 delinquent account fee. Accounts must be satisfied by each semester’s published due date, or the schedule will be canceled. Students with canceled schedules may re-register after schedules are canceled, but previous course selection is not guaranteed. Any student who registers for classes after the non-payment cancellation date must pay their balance before the semester’s first day to avoid additional fees.

Read also: Space Weather & UCLA

To read the payment plan terms and submit a request, click Fall Payment Plan Request. You must set up your payment plan and make the first payment before the term’s payment deadline listed above. A late fee of $150.00 will be applied on March 31 if the final payment is missed. A late fee of $150.00 will be applied on October 31 if the final payment is missed.

Payment Options

Payments can be made in the Bursar’s office during regular business hours (8:00 am - 4:30 pm M-F). NOTE: Online payments are temporarily disabled. We appreciate your patience while we resolve this issue. Payments may be made by contacting the Bursar’s office. Contact information is given below. We expect to have this problem resolved in a timely manner. Please select the specific product in the drop down menu below to be sure your payment is properly recorded. Payments are temporarily disabled.

Accessing Your Ledger

On the left side of the portal, click "My Ledger" under the Administrative Services tab. Note: if the balance is inside the parenthesis, such as ($200.00), and you do not see the pay by credit card button, then the total shown is a student refund. If you know how much you would like to pay, click on the link below to pay online! Note: You must enter your Student ID number to complete payment. Payments are temporarily disabled. NOTE: Online payments are temporarily disabled.

Tuition Programs and Scholarships

If you or your student participates in a tuition program that requires UT Southern to send an invoice to the organization, please let us know as soon as possible to allow time for processing. Processing time differs across the board, but it can take 2-4 weeks for payment to be sent to UT Southern. The student’s information should be included either on the check or any attached documentation. The UT Southern Bursar’s office must follow the instructions sent with the scholarship check and apply the funds as described in the letter.

Financial Aid Disbursement and Refunds

When a student’s total financial aid exceeds total charges, the excess will be disbursed to the student. The excess in aid is determined by money received, not money expected. No refunds will be issued prior to Census Day. Refund requests may be submitted via the CAMS Student Portal.

Read also: Affording SNHU

Understanding Withdrawal Policies and Procedures

It's crucial to understand the policies surrounding withdrawing from courses or the university, as these can have financial and academic implications.

Official Withdrawal Process

All students who are withdrawing must complete a Withdrawal Request Form with the Business Office’s approval. Each student will be given instructions regarding the withdrawal process. A Withdrawal Request Form with appropriate signatures must be completed and returned to the Registrar’s Office before a withdrawal is official. Note: Students who stop going to classes should officially withdraw so as to have a W/WP/WF entered upon a transcript and not an F.

Tuition Refunds

Students who drop a class or withdraw from all classes during an enrollment period may receive a tuition refund credit based on the following schedule. For students who receive federal financial aid and withdraw, drop out, or are dismissed from school, a refund will be calculated based on federal guidelines for returning Title IV funds and the following schedule, a basic outline. Full regulations are on file in the Business Office. Refund examples are also available in the Business Office and will be provided upon request. Credit for institutional charges for fall and spring semesters, as well as for each session of Evening College and Summer School, will be made according to the Refund Calendar. Charges are prorated from the first scheduled class period until actual withdrawal. There is no credit for temporary absences. Institutional aid refunds will be calculated on the same basis as tuition (stated above). In no case will institutional funds generate a refund greater than the amount of personal funds received. If a course dropped before the end of a refund period causes a student to drop below full-time status, institutional aid will be calculated based on the number of hours attempted after the course is dropped.

Impact on Financial Aid

A student may be eligible for certain Federal Financial Aid depending on class attendance. A “return of Title IV funds” calculation will be made only when a student withdraws from all courses. Contact the Business Office and Financial Aid Office prior to making the decision to drop below 12 credit hours to determine how this will affect the student's financial situation. Remember: dropping classes and withdrawing from the University are two different things.

Return of Title IV Funds

Department of Education. The amount earned is compared to the amount disbursed. The institution must return the unearned aid. If the amount that the institution is responsible for returning is less than the total amount of aid that needs to be returned, the student is responsible for the remainder.

Appealing Refund Determinations

A student who has unusual, exceptional, and/or extenuating circumstances involved in their withdrawal from the university may appeal the refund determination in writing within thirty (30) days from the date of withdrawal. The appeal will be considered by a committee composed of the Chancellor of the University, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Life, Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance, a member of the faculty, and a member of the student body.

Navigating Residential Life

For students choosing to live on campus, the student portal provides access to resources and information related to housing.

Housing Application

Living on campus is one of the best parts of the college experience. All students must complete an application through the Office of Residential Life, either for on-campus housing or for off-campus residency. Whether you are a new or returning resident or a commuter student, click below to find the housing application for you. Each resident completes their own application and can request to be grouped with up to 3 other residents. Seniority is based on the majority of the residents in the group. For instance, if one senior and three juniors are in a group, the group’s rank is based on the majority: junior. Order received is based on the timestamp of all applications in the group. Residents must complete the financially-binding Room and Board Agreement to be able to participate in Room Selection. (Because this document is financially binding, residents should not sign if they are still unsure about their plans for the next year. On a designated date (see below), groups will physically select their room for the upcoming year, in order of number. Only one student from each group must be present, but all are welcome. After Selection is complete, students who wish to move from residential halls to the Student Apartments or Oakwood Academic Excellence Apartments will be ranked using a combination of “first-come, first-served” and seniority. New students must pay a $150 application fee (through the online application) and provide proof of meningitis immunizations (through MedProctor). Room and roommate assignments for new students will go out in June. To determine if you are eligible to commute/live off campus, please review the Residential Requirements.

Room and Board Agreement

Upon reasonable notice, the University reserves the right to terminate Room and Board Agreements due to public health emergency needs, including COVID. 1) A student may be released from the Room and Board Agreement before the first date of the Room and Board Agreement by submitting submit a written request to the Office of Residential Life to terminate the Agreement. The determination of whether to grant the request for termination of the Agreement is within the sole discretion of the Housing Appeals Committee, and such a request will be approved only in exceptional cases. The student agrees to accept the decision of the Housing Appeals Committee. Refunds of residence hall rent will follow the refund rates and schedule defined in the current University catalog when the student withdraws from the University after Check In. Students withdrawing from the University have three (3) days after the date of withdrawal to vacate the premises and follow Check Out procedures.

Resident Assistants

Resident Assistants are the heart blood of on-campus life. Summer Resident Assistants keep our campus facilities running throughout the summer months. They oversee all check-in and check-out processes, respond to emergencies, and support summer residents as needed. Residential Life prioritizes the best fit for a student in terms of roommates, conditions, etc.

Additional Resources and Information

The UT Southern student portal serves as a gateway to a wealth of information and resources. Here are some additional areas to explore:

Fee Discounts and Waivers

Please click here to be redirected to our Fee Discount and Waiver page.

Booking Meeting Spaces

To book a meeting space on campus, faculty and staff can easily do so directly in MS Outlook when creating a meeting invite. Simply type the desired meeting space in the location box. If it’s available, your space will be automatically reserved. Be sure the suggested location includes “UTS” in the result to ensure you are booking a space on our campus. Note: Due to this streamlining, you no longer need to contact Carrie Barlar to book your space. After you have booked your meeting space in Outlook, let us know if you need your event promoted or if you will need any set-up requirements. Do you need tables and chairs? Do you have any audio/visual needs? Do you want the public to know about it?

Events with Minors

Important note for events with minors: If you are planning an on-campus event that includes minors, it is your responsibility to notify campus security. Please review our Programs for Minors informational page for essential guidelines and requirements.

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Tennessee Southern is committed to equal employment and education opportunities and will maintain an environment free of unlawful discrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by Federal, State, or local law in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of Employees, faculty, and staff, or the operation of its programs.

Title IX and Pregnancy Discrimination

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. An employer may not terminate or deny assignments or promotions to an employee because of her pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Mental Health Resources

The University of Tennessee Southern strives to create a culture of safety in which asking for help is encouraged, and mental health is destigmatized and prioritized. The University of Tennessee Southern’s prevention plan is available here; the employee plan begins on page 9. The UT Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to provide free, confidential assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems that influence their personal lives or job performance. Employees may enter as registered or unregistered users to utilize assessments, self-tests, and more. Results are provided immediately in most screenings.

tags: #UT #Southern #student #portal #guide