Graduation Information - TCAT

All commencement ceremonies for TCAT students will be held in the HPF building (gymnasium) on the main (Amnicola Highway) campus.

FALL 2024 TCAT COMMENCEMENT

December 12, 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm (EST)
HPF Building (Gymnasium)

Chattanooga State’s live stream will update with each individual campus event.

 

Commencement Ceremony 

Each participating graduate may receive up to six (8) guest tickets to their ceremony. Graduates will receive their guest tickets at the Cap and Gown pick up event between 12/4 - 12/6 (8am - 5pm), and 12/7 (8am - 4:30pm).

Tickets are issued for a specific ceremony time, not for a specific seat.  Ticketed guests may sit in any available seat.  We recommend and request that groups of guests arrive together, enter together, and sit together.  We expect that all seats will be used at each ceremony, and we have not allocated "buffer seats" between groups of guests.

 

Location, Arrival Time, & Duration 

TCAT Fall 2024 Graduation will be in the Gymnasium (HPF Building) on the main (Amnicola Highway) campus. Please arrive one hour before your scheduled ceremony time, and come dressed in your regalia (cap, gown, cords/medals, etc.). Ceremonies will start promptly at the published time and will likely last around 45 minutes. Graduates should line up in Branch Center lobby no later than 12:30p.m.  


Photos 

Professional photographs will be taken, and you will have the opportunity to order prints through the photography company. You will receive more details at the ceremony. 


Parking & Access 

Graduates and guests should park in Lot P1, the Visitor Parking Lot. All ceremonies will be held in the Gymnasium (HPF) building, which is number 4 on the campus map. 

 
Accessibility & Accommodations  

If you or any of your guests have accessibility needs or wish to request accommodations, please email Dr. Kristi Strode, the Director of the Center for Access and Disability Services. Her email is kristi.strode@chattanoogastate.edu. Typical requests might include that you or your guests cannot navigate stairs, or that your guests need to sit in a place where they can read the live captioning. The planned route for graduates includes a few stairs into the HPF building. 

Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee your degree will be awarded. Final grades are due by noon on the day of commencement but are not available to view until the following week. Then, the Records office reviews each student to award or deny degrees. An email will be sent to your student account once a decision is made.

 

Cap & Gown Pickup

Cap and gown pickup is from 12/4 - 12/6 (8am - 4:30pm).  The following offices will be available: Bursar, Alumni, Marketing, Bookstore, Records, Educational Opportunity Center, and Jostens.

You will also pick up your cap, gown, and guest tickets, and you will fill in graduation information. 

 

Designating Someone Else to Pick Up Your Regalia

If you’re unable to attend, you can designate someone to pick up your items. Here's how: 

  1. Send a request to TCATSS@chattanoogastate.edu.
  2. Your designee will need to:
    • Know your A# (student ID).
    • Present a photo ID that matches their name.
    • Fill out the Photograph form on your behalf for graduation photos. 

 

Intent to Graduate Forms

Each student must meet with their instructor to complete an Intent to Graduate form. Submission of the form will initiate posting your credential on your transcript and printing your diploma.

 

Exit Counseling for Student Loan Recipients

If you have received a student loan through Chattanooga State's Financial Aid Office, click here to complete an online exit interview and review your loan amounts/ information. After you graduate, you start the 6-month grace period for student loans, and at the end of six months you will begin repayment. It’s important to stay in contact with your federal student loan servicer(s) so that your loans do not become delinquent or go into default. If you get behind on default on your student loan payments, it can impact your credit score, or the Department of Education can garnish your wages or take payments out of your tax return each year. Student loan delinquency or default can also affect your ability to borrow other loans for important things like a home or auto. 

 

Diplomas / Certificate Replacements

Diplomas 

Questions regarding diploma/certificate can be sent to graduation@chattanoogastate.edu. Diplomas or certificates will be mailed each term approximately 6-8 weeks after final grades are posted. They are sent to the mailing address on file with the following schedule: 

  • Spring graduates: July
  • Summer graduates: October
  • Fall graduates: February 


Replacements

A diploma/certificate replacement can be obtained free of charge. Any holds will need to be cleared before we can print the replacement. Original signatures will not be on replacement diplomas. Please allow 3-4 weeks for replacement diplomas/certificates to be processed/mailed. Requests should be emailed to graduation@chattanoogastate.edu and include:   

  • Name while attending
  • Current Name if different
  • Name you wish to have on your diploma
  • Student ID/A# (if known)
  • Date of Birth (month, date, year)
  • Degree or Certificate
  • Program Name
  • Year graduated
  • Mailing Address
  • Phone #
  • Email
     

Questions?

If you have questions or need additional information, please email tcatss@chattanoogastate.edu.