FAQs

The university is monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 in close cooperation with the Overseas Security Advisory Council (an office of the Department of State), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our private health, safety, and security partner.

For the latest information on programs abroad, review the most recent update on the Programs Abroad website.

CARES Act funding, spring 2020

The university distributed $9.62 million provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for student emergency relief. Approximately 90 percent of the CARES Act funding was disbursed directly to about 9,000 eligible students in the form of grant aid to help with financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. The remaining 10 percent was distributed to students who applied for and were eligible for emergency financial assistance.

HEERF II funding, spring 2021

The university distributed $19.62 million in federal student emergency relief from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). Approximately 99 percent of the money allocated for student emergency relief is being disbursed directly to about 13,700 eligible students in the form of grant aid to help with financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. The remaining 1 percent of student emergency relief funds is being allocated to the Student Emergency Fund administered by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Grant aid in both spring 2020 and spring 2021 was distributed to UT undergraduate and graduate students with the highest need based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Information about distribution of federal COVID-19 student emergency relief is available on the One Stop Student Services website.

HEERF III funding, fall 2021

The university will begin distributing $25.9 million in federal student emergency relief from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III). The university’s distribution of HEERF III funds to eligible undergraduate and graduate students was developed under the guidance provided by the US Department of Education. Information about student eligibility and distribution of federal COVID-19 student emergency relief is available on the One Stop Student Services website.

The Center for Global Engagement has provided detailed information and resources for current and prospective international students.

• University-related travel within the US does not require an exception. Restrictions may be reinstated if CDC guidelines warrant a change.
• For university-related international travel, exceptions are required for destinations based on US Department of State travel warnings, CDC COVID-19 travel health notices, or CDC non-COVID-19 travel health notices. Review UT’s list of warning levels and health notices that require international travel exceptions.
• University-related international travel requires registration with the Center for Global Engagement regardless of whether the destination requires an exception.
• University-related international travel requires the use of World Travel.

What you need to do

• Check US Department of State travel warnings, CDC COVID-19 travel health notices, and CDC non-COVID-19 travel health notices.
• Review UT’s list of warning levels and health notices that require international travel exceptions and the process for exception requests and travel registration for international travel.
• Request an exception for international travel if needed.
• If your international travel requires an exception, do not make arrangements until your exception is approved. Required exceptions must be approved before you complete international travel registration and IRIS travel request processes.
• Use World Travel for arrangements. International trips booked outside of World Travel will not be eligible for reimbursement.
  
• Register with the Center for Global Engagement, regardless of whether the international destination requires an exception.

Business units are responsible for trip cancellations related to COVID-19.

To avoid COVID-19 exposure during travel, follow the same health and safety behaviors as at home. Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Wash hands frequently. Clean frequently touched surfaces and monitor your health.

Anyone coming to campus who has recently traveled, whether in the US or internationally, should decide whether they need to self-isolate based on local travel restrictions, the rate of community spread to which they have been exposed, any specific known exposures, their own health assessment, and their vaccination status.

Learn more about when to self-isolate.

Support and resources

• Center for Global Engagement international travel information: Includes a list of warning levels and health notices that require international travel exceptions and the processes for exception requests and travel registration
• Center for Global Engagement Programs Abroad site: Includes frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and programs abroad
• US Department of State travel warnings
• CDC COVID-19 travel guidance: Includes travel health notices for international destinations
• CDC non-COVID-19 travel health notices
  

COVID-19 vaccination

The university is a federal contractor and is subject to federal Executive Order 14042, which includes a federal vaccination mandate.

On November 30, 20201, a federal district judge granted the states of Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky a preliminary injunction that—for now—prohibits the federal government from enforcing the executive order on federal contractors in those states.

With the preliminary injunction in place, the university must comply with Tennessee law, which prohibits state institutions like UT Knoxville from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.

As a result, vaccine requirements on campus have been lifted.

The situation may change again as the legal process continues. The university will continue to keep the campus community updated.

Other vaccinations

Consistent with state law, the UT System has required certain vaccinations for incoming students for several years. With any required vaccination, exemptions can be made for medical or religious reasons.

Detailed vaccination requirements can be found on the Student Health Center website.

Undergraduate immunization requirements and forms.

Graduate immunization requirements and forms.