QUALITY MATTERS FUND

Community leaders in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, TN value early childhood education because it lays the foundation for lifelong learning, strengthens communities, and boosts long-term economic growth by supporting working families. The Quality Matters Fund was established in 2019 through a public-private partnership to support a strong local network of high-quality child care programs that employ and retain a well-trained and skilled early childhood workforce. 

To apply for 2025 Quality Matters Fund programs
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To read the Impact Report from the 2023-2024 QMF

The 2025 Quality Matters Fund will support child care providers with tuition assistance, unique skills training via UTC Wolf Trap Teaching Artist classroom residencies, facility-update “Child Care Builder Funds”, and as of July 1, 2025, the Fire Marshal facility upgrade fund.

To learn more about 2025 GRANT opportunitieS click the buttons below.

Child Care Teacher Tuition Assistance

For Teachers

Earn more money by taking college courses and joining the Child Care WAGE$ pay stipend program. Starting with just two college courses, you can earn $600 per year and beyond! We’ll cover the CDA Exam fee or tuition for up to two classes per semester at Chatt State.

Fire Marshal Facilty UPDATE FUNDS

Chattanooga 2.0, the United Way of Greater Chattanooga, and the City of Chattanooga are partnering to support local child care providers with one-time relief funds for important fire marshal facility safety updates. All Hamilton County child care providers are eligible. Award amounts will be determined when applications close Aug 1.

Child Care Builder Funds

The application window for this grant has closed. 

Teaching Artist Classroom Residencies

The application window for this grant has closed.

Child Care Teacher COLLEGE Tuition Assistance

Community leaders want to help you earn more money by taking college courses and joining the Child Care WAGE$ pay stipend program. Starting with just two college courses, you can earn an extra $600 per year and beyond!  

College graduation throwing caps

Up to $2,500 in financial support for current, employed child care teachers in Hamilton County, TN to pursue coursework at Chattanooga State Community College – OR – to take the CDA exam. Our goal is to help teachers advance their credentials, meet state licensing requirements, and improve classroom quality – all while earning more money through Child Care WAGE$ TN.

Tuition assistance may cover any relevant courses for continuing education (not just ECE classes). Application details and eligibility requirements are available through the program’s dedicated portal. For specific college course registration questions, please contact Tania at tania.henson@chattanoogastate.edu

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

Important Term Information for Chattanooga State Community College

Term (When you take classes)

Date Classes Begin

Date Classes End

Last Day to You’re your Class Without You Being Charged

Summer 2025

May 12, 2025

August 8, 2025

May 13, 2025

Fall 2025

August 18, 2025

December 5, 2025

August 20, 2025

Spring 2026

January 20, 2026

May 1, 2026

January 21, 2026

NOTES:
• Summer 2025 dates above are for the full session; shorter sessions may have different dates follow this link for more specific summer term details Academic Calendar – Chattanooga State Community College – Modern Campus Catalog™.
• Fall and Spring terms are for the main (full) academic session.
• Applications will be closed for each term one week prior to the start of each semester.
 

This tuition assistance is ideal for teachers who have failed a college course and need a second chance to pass their course in order to earn back TECTA tuition assistance. Funds are paid directly to the college. Funds must be repaid in order to receive continued funding support in the next semester. Save time and fill out the co-signer form before you complete your application. 

FIRE MARSHAL FACILITY UPDATE FUNDS

Our sincere appreciation goes to the Chattanooga City Council for awarding these funds to Chattanooga 2.0 in support of the child care workfoRce. 2025 quality matters fund monies are are one-time, nonrecurring. 

Have Questions?

Jennifer Andrews
Director of Early Childhood Strategies

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