October 21, 2021

Dear Chattanooga State Family,
As the weather begins to cool and the evidence of fall begins to show itself around campus, I hope you are able to take a moment to get outside and breathe.  

If you’ve been walking across campus this week, you’ve likely seen many student clubs and college offices bringing attention to a growing problem on college campuses—hunger and homelessness. At Chattanooga State, roughly 42% of students show signs of housing insecurity and 16% indicated homelessness since they started college. According to Hunger on Campus, 50% of community college students and 47% of four-year college students reported food insecurity.  

Chattanooga State wants to help students who need food and emergency aid so that they can focus on their classes. Our Tiger Cupboard Food Pantry is available to help students with food insecurity. Our Helping Hands emergency fund is available to students experiencing short-term emergencies and students who need extra support to be successful. More information about both of these services can be found in the Student Resources section below and on the website

Remember, everyone at the College is here to help you. If you have a need, ask for help. If you are struggling in a class, talk to your instructors. Your success is so very important to us. 

Student Spotlight: Courtney Booth
Mask Requirement on Campus
Student Financial Wellness Survey
Complete Your FAFSA
Achieve Your Goals
Student Resources—We’re Here to Help
Student Life Events and Activities

We are resilient. We are innovative. We are united. We are ChattState.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President 


Student Spotlight: Courtney Booth

 For the 21/22 SOAR Award, TCAT Chattanooga is proud to announce Courtney Booth as our institutional representative! Courtney has not only met but exceeded The Tennessee Board of Regent's (TBR) eligibility requirements. She is at the top of her class in the TCAT Chattanooga Massage Therapy Program.

Ms. Booth has already earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but she recognized the need to integrate homeopathic medicine with modern medicine. This need brought her to TCAT Chattanooga where she has excelled. She is employed at Erlanger Medical Center while studying full time. Her dedication to learning new and effectual ways of combining homeopathic and standard medicine are apparent within her drive for further education. 


Mask Requirement on Campus

Chattanooga State is currently operating with unlimited campus access and a mask requirement when indoors regardless of vaccination status. The facemask requirement has been extended to December 31. At that time, the College will reassess this requirement. 


Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS)

On Monday, October 25, students over the age of 18 and currently enrolled will receive an email from Student Financial Wellness Survey (trellisresearch@trelliscompany.org) with the subject “Financial Wellness Survey from Trellis and Chattanooga State Community College.“ In the body of the email, there will be a link that says “Please click here to participate in the survey.” Your link will be unique and cannot be used more than one time.   

 The SFWS will help our institution better understand the connection between student finances and student success.  Results will guide planning for student support services, financial education, financial resources, and engagement opportunities with potential donors and the community.  Please note, your responses will remain confidential and only be used to better inform the work we do for all students at Chattanooga State. 

Thanks to the generous support of the Student Government Association, survey participants will be automatically included in a drawing for 1 of 4 Yeti Coolers. They will also have the opportunity to spin for great swag at pop-up events during the survey period. 


Complete Your FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for next year, 2022-2023 opened October 1 at . If you will be enrolling in classes at any school as of July 1st, 2022, you will want to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to have the best chance at any first come, first served scholarships, grants, or loans. Submitting the FAFSA early also gives you a head start on completing any financial aid requirements or determining your financial aid eligibility. Some schools also use the summer semester or period as the start of their financial aid award year, so you will need to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA for next summer, if you find out that it is needed at whatever school where you plan to enroll. 

The Federal Student Aid website gives you a lot of information about filling out the FAFSA, and about how financial aid works. For the 2022-2023 year, you will use your 2020 tax and income information for both you and your parent(s) or step-parent(s), if you are under 24 years old, or you and your spouse if you are considered “independent” on the FAFSA by age or special circumstances. If something in your family or financial situation has changed since filing taxes in 2020, and your household income is different, contact the Financial Aid Office after completing the FAFSA (using your 2020 financial information) about possible adjustments to the information in your federal aid application.


Achieve Your Goals

We have resources on campus to help you achieve your goals, whether you are in a 7-week class or a 15-week class, we are here to help you succeed! 

Located on the second floor of the IMC building, in room 225, the Math Center available to help students with all levels of Math. The center is equipped with over 180 computers for student use, and Math faculty and tutors are always available to assist students​. 

Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday  8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

Whether you are having trouble getting started on an assignment or have a complete draft ready for review, our tutors are happy to help with any any written assignment for any class. 

 

  • Tutoring

  • Chattanooga State offers FREE on-demand, online tutoring through Tutor.com. The service is easy to use and can be accessed from your instructor’s syllabus in eLearn. Tutors are available to you 24/7. 
  • Available computer labs across campus 
  • The library will be open and computers will be available for homework and online/virtual class attendance. 
  • Engineering and IT students will have access to Rooms 215 and 216 in the Wacker Institute on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  • TCAT students will have access to TCAT 60 and TCAT 38 computer labs. Please note, these labs may be closed for testing purposes a few times per week. You should confirm hours of operation with your TCAT instructors.
  • Additional space may be made available as the need arises. 

Student Resources

  • Tutoring: ChattState offers in-person and virtual tutoring services.  
  • Emergency Aid: The Student Support Center is available to assist students struggling to meet their basic needs. Please use the Wellness Check on TigerWeb to let us know if you need assistance.
  • Technology Support: Devices (laptops, hotspots, etc.) are available through the College. To request a device, complete the technology request form. Technology will continue to be available for students as long as they remain enrolled.
  • Support Services: Chattanooga State is dedicated to delivering support services and resources to assist our students. Visit the virtual Student Support Center to learn more about the many services offered.
  • Academic Resources: Visit the Fall 2021 Update page for a listing of academic resources, including links to the Math Center, Andrews Reading and Writing Center, the Testing Center, Kolwyck Library, and more.
  • Student Assistance Library Campus Guide: We now have a Campus Guide for students to provide assistance with eLearn / Virtual Classes / Proctoring / Accessibility / etc.
  • Career Services Center: The Career Services Center is available to provide services online or by phone to Chattanooga State students, alumni, faculty and staff. Services include career counseling & assistance with selecting a major, job search planning, resume writing assistance, interview skills, and more. Visit JOBlink to view job and internship opportunities. To schedule an appointment for any service, please call 423-697-4421 or email careers@chattanoogastate.edu. The Career Services Virtual Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Food: The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need.
  • Tennessee Board of Regents Student Resources: We know that the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has been causing a great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress for students across Tennessee. Please know that you are not alone.
  • Ride CARTA for Free: Chattanooga State students may ride CARTA for free with a valid ChattState ID through August 31, 2022. This agreement covers all routes.
     

Student Life Events and Activities

All students are welcome to join! Check out your Student Life Calendar of Events—we have lots of events scheduled—join us!