The following is an application to the Early Matters Quality Matters Fund for tuition assistance to cover tuition and fees up to $2,500 at participating higher education institutions in Hamilton County, TN. Funds are made possible by federal funding through the City of Chattanooga 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. Remaining funds may be distributed in the Summer 2024 Semester.
Previous withdrawal, incomplete, or failed courses do not disqualify you from receiving QMF Tuition 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 or University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (any major)
To receive tuition assistance, applicants will be required to do the following:
- Submit this application online. Paper copies are only for reference.
- Your employer 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 or UTC as soon as possible after application (these will be emailed to you).
- Sign Chattanooga State or UTC’s FERPA release form to allow Chattanooga 2.0 access to one mid-semester academic progress report and your final posted grade.
- Pass the class(es) for which they apply for tuition assistance
- Pass the CDA exam fee for which they apply for fee assistance (Learn more at CDA website HERE)
If you have questions, view the technical assistance webinar posted on our website at www.chatt2.org/QMF