Deadline: EVEA verification documents must be provided to the Office of Graduate Studies when you complete your application packet. If filing a FASFA, then by the FASFA deadline.

If you have questions, feel free to e-mail the Graduate Studies office at graduatestudies@utm.edu or call 731-881-7012.

Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act

The Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) requires the University of Tennessee at Martin to verify that students who apply to receive a state public benefit verify that they are either a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States. Examples of state public benefits include, but are not limited to, in-state tuition, Tennessee Hope Lottery Scholarships, state-funded waivers and scholarships, Academic Common Market tuition benefits, and financial aid packages that make the University of Tennessee at Martin more affordable. Privately funded tuition assistance such as those supported through the University Foundation or another private endowed scholarship do not qualify as state public benefits. Students applying for those kinds of aid are not required to go through the verification process described below. The EVEA applies to all levels of collegiate study and to both Tennessee residents and non-residents. EVEA verification documents must be provided to the Office of Graduate Studies when you complete your application packet.

Verification Process for Students Applying for a State Public Benefit

Graduate students who claim to be a U.S. citizen must either complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or provide a copy of one (1) of the following documents to the Office of Graduate Studies:

  • A valid regular Tennessee driver license or Identification (ID Only) License. A Temporary Driver License or Temporary Identification License is not acceptable. The Temporary License will be designated Class XD, XM, or Permit. The Temporary Identification License will be designated Class XID;
  • A valid regular driver license or photo identification card from another state (except for Utah and New Mexico);
  • An official birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction, or territory, except for Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010;
  • A U.S. government-issued certified birth certificate;
  • A valid, unexpired U.S. passport;
  • A U.S. certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545);
  • A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the U.S. (FS-240);
  • A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561);
  • A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570, or N578); or
  • A U.S. citizen identification card (I-197, I-179).

Graduate students who claim to be a qualified alien lawfully present in the U.S. must complete one of the two following options:

  1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - this option is only available for the following individuals:
    • U.S. permanent residents (individuals with an I-151, I-551, or I-551C permanent resident card)
    • Individuals who have an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) showing one of the following designations: Refugee; Asylum Granted; Cuban-Haitian Entrant (Status Pending); Conditional Entrant (Valid only if issued before April 1, 1980); Victims of Human Trafficking (T-2, T-3, or T-4 visa); or Parolee (who meets certain conditions)
  2. Provide the Graduate Studies office with a copy of two (2) of the following documents:
    • Valid regular Tennessee driver license or ID only license or a valid regular driver license or regular photo identification card from another state (except for Utah and New Mexico)
    • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551);
    • Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with visa stamped "Processed for I-551";
    • Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit (I-327);
    • Refugee Travel Document (I-571);
    • Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766);
    • Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94);
    • Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with valid visa in a category that permits study at an institution of higher education (see enclosed chart);
    • Notice of Approval of Status with bottom I-94 portion attached (Form I-797);
    • Certificate of Eligibility for Student Status (Form I-20); and
    • DS-2019 or IAP-66 for J-1 status holders;
    • Non-Resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card; and
    • Any other document determined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to be acceptable through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program created pursuant to the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Graduate Students Exempt from the Verification Process
  • Students who have not applied to receive a state public benefit. State public benefits include in-state tuition and scholarships, grants, loans, tuition/fee waivers, or other financial assistance subsidized or paid in whole or in part with state appropriated dollars.
  • Students who are employed by the University and have had their lawful presence verified through the federal E-Verify program or have completed a valid I-9 on file with the University.
  • Students who have had their lawful presence verified through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Examples include J-1 and F-1 student visa holders.