The following is an application to the Early Matters Quality Matters Fund for tuition assistance to cover tuition and fees up to two courses worth of funding per semester at participating higher education institutions (Chattanooga State) in Hamilton County, TN. Funds are made possible by grant funding through Chattanooga 2.0 to improve quality in early care and education. This tuition assistance is last dollar, meaning all other scholarships are applied before Chattanooga 2.0 Quality Matters Fund tuition is applied.
Tuition assistance is first come, first served until funds run out.
Previous withdrawal, incomplete, or failed courses do not disqualify you from receiving QMF Tuition Assistance. However, if you fail a course, you must repay for the failed course to be eligibile for further assistance.
If you know a fellow early childhood educator that would benefit from tuition assistance, please encourage them to apply. To view a list of frequently asked questions, click here.
If you have questions or issues with this application, please email earlymatterschatt@gmail.com
Before applying, please ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You are a resident of Hamilton County, Tennessee
- You work at a licensed child care agency in Hamilton County, Tennessee
- You are enrolled or interested in enrolling in courses at Chattanooga State Community College (any major) *if you have questions about your eligibility, please send us an email to ashley@chatt2.org
Application Deadlines:
In order to ensure students are not dropped from classes for nonpayment, we will strictly adhere to the below deadlines for tuition assistance applications. Any applications received after these deadlines will be considered for the following semester.
- Summer Term Deadline: May 6th
- Fall Term Deadline: August 12th
- Spring 2026 Term Deadline: January 7th
To receive tuition assistance, applicants will be required to do the following:
- Submit this application online. Paper copies are only for reference.
- Your employer, friend or family member, or self must complete the cosigner agreement and upload signed copy with application, which states they will reimburse the funder in the UNLIKELY event that you fail a course.
- Follow registration procedures at Chattanooga State Community College as soon as possible after application (these will be emailed to you).
- Provide proof of passing grade at the end of each term. A screenshot or transcript will suffice.
- Pass the class(es) for which they apply for tuition assistance, or repay for failed courses to remain eligible.
- Pass the CDA exam fee for which they apply for fee assistance (Learn more at CDA website HERE)