General Admissions Requirements

Chattanooga State has an open door admission policy. The college is open to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, or physical, mental or educational disability. Admissions requirements and procedures vary, depending on the student’s goals and classification. Each category has its own requirements and procedures. However, the following apply to all applicants:

• Applicants should meet physical standards appropriate to their occupational choices.
• An admission application is not complete until the Admissions Office has received all required documents. An applicant may be denied registration until all are received.
• Males between 18 and 26 must certify registration with Selective Service before they can register for classes.
• All first-time students must submit a completed Immunization Health History Form prior to enrollment.
• Applicants must show proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

In addition to the admission requirements/procedures listed below, some programs have extra requirements, procedures, and deadlines. See the specific program in the “A.A.S. Degrees & Technical Certificates” section of this catalog for
more information.

How To Apply

First Time Freshmen

• Apply for admission.
• Submit an official high school transcript or approved high school equivalency (HSE, see following section). An official transcript has the granting institution’s seal and is either mailed directly to the Admissions Office or electronically delivered through official channels; hand-delivered in a sealed school envelope, or faxed with cover directly from the school.  High School graduates must hold a regular high school diploma from a regionally approved school.
• The high school transcript must be from a regionally approved school and received after the date of graduation, showing the student’s graduation date with final grades posted.  NOTE: Certificate of attendance and Special Education are not equivalent to a regular high school diploma.
• Test Requirements
• Submit National ACT (American College Testing Program), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), or ACCUPLACER scores. Completion through the Tennessee SAILS (Seamless Alignment and Integration of Learning Support) program may also be used for placement. Scores and SAILS completions are valid within five years of the first semester of attendance and are used for advising and placement purposes. Additional assessment may be required.

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Chattanooga State currently accepts the GED or HiSET tests as proof of high school equivalency.  Minimum scores for GED/HiSET  recipients are based upon when the GED/HiSET test was taken and are as follows:       

HiSet 2014 - present

Must score 8 or higher in each test area

Must score15 or higher on CCR (college and career readiness)

AND

Must score 45 or higher on the combined score

GED 2014 - present

Must score 150 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 600 or higher in Battery Average

GED 2001 TO 2013

Must score 410 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 450 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1997 TO 2001

Must score 40 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1981 TO 1996

Must score 40 or higher in each test area

OR

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1943 TO 1980

Must score 35 or higher in each test area

OR

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

  
Transfer Students

• Apply for admission.
• Submit official transcript(s) from all colleges previously attended. An official transcript has the granting institution’s seal and is either mailed or delivered electronically through secure acceptable methods to the Admissions Office; is hand delivered in a sealed school envelope or faxed with cover directly from the school. Transcripts are evaluated and credit may be given for equivalent courses completed at regionally accredited institutions. Transfer credits will not be used in computing the student’s GPA at Chattanooga State. Students transferring from non-regionally accredited institutions follow the same procedures as first time freshmen. Credits from non-regionally accredited institutions may be validated through departmental appeal or departmental examination. Appeal forms are available in the Enrollment Services Office. See “Alternative Sources of Credit” for information on procedures and fees for departmental examination. The appeal forms must be submitted before the term begins.
• Testing and Placement
  Transfer students who have not earned credits in college-level English composition or college-level, algebra-based math will be assessed in writing and math based on a valid ACT score or other accepted assessment test. Chattanooga State accepts assessment and placement, as well as equivalent Learning Support courses, from all TBR schools. Assessment and placement from other non-TBR institutions, as well as Learning Support course credits, may be approved by Chattanooga State’s Learning Support director.
• Transfer students are held to the same standards as other Chattanooga State students. Transfer students deficient in a basic academic competency cannot continue in a related college-level course until they have satisfactorily met the exit criteria of the appropriate Learning Support course(s).
• Submit a high school transcript or approved high school equivalency. This is waived for students who have earned an Associate degree or higher, as documented on an official transcript.
• Grade Point Average
  Transfer students must be eligible to return to the institution they transferred from and meet the academic retention standards of Chattanooga State. Students not meeting these criteria may be admitted to Chattanooga State after not attending any college for at least one term (not including summer). Such students are admitted on probation their first term and can be suspended at the end of the term if they do not meet Chattanooga State’s academic retention standards. (See “Academic Retention Standards” in the “Academic Regulations” section.)

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Submit a valid* TOEFL score (minimum = 500/paper based, or 61/Internet-based). 
• Submit a valid* TOEFL Institutional Testing Program score (minimum = 500) administered at Chattanooga State.
• Provide an official transcript documenting graduation from an approved U.S. high school with a regular high school diploma or approved high school equivalency (administered in English).
• Provide an official transcript documenting satisfactory completion (grade C or better) in college-level English Composition I from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
• Any appeal relating to English language proficiency is comprised of three tiers.
  • 1) Director of Multicultural and International Student Services, then
  • 2) Vice President of Student Affairs, and finally
  • 3) Vice President for Academic Affairs.
  • Resolution of an appeal may occur at any tier in the process with final consideration being given by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

*TOEFL scores are only considered valid for two (2) years from the date taken.

International Students

The Multicultural and International Student Office handles international student admissions, including U.S. BICE (Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement) requirements.

International Students Requirements

• meet all requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student in the credit division or diploma-seeking in TCAT
• meet language proficiency
• must provide certified English translation of all high school and post-secondary school transcripts 
• take English and Reading components of placement exam if no transfer courses from institution using English as primary language
• furnish evidence of financial capability
• provide medical certification verifying freedom from tuberculosis
• have medical and hospitalization insurance or purchase it from the state

Mandatory Placement

• Students will be assessed for learning support placement according to ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores (taken within 5 years prior to the first day of the student’s entering term). Students with ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores below the recommended college readiness cut scores will be placed in appropriate co-requisite learning support classes along with linked college level courses.
• Students not required to take an assessment may request to be tested.
• Instructors may recommend testing for students who were not assessed, but later show deficiencies. If a student is then determined to be deficient in a basic academic competency at the learning support level, he/she may be withdrawn from the class(es) with a grade of “W.” As a result, the student may not re-enroll until the exit criteria of the appropriate learning support course(s) have been satisfactorily met.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Programs

• Apply for admission.
• Be age 18; or (if under 18) have a high school diploma from a regionally accredited school or GED.
• Testing
  • Applicants must take the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)’s prescribed entrance exam or Accuplacer or ACT.  (Waived for applicants with a baccalaureate or associate degree.)
• Submit:
  • Official high school transcript, GED or HiSET transcript, and
  • Official transcript(s) from each college or university attended.

Technical Certificate of Credit Programs

• Apply for admission.
• Be admitted as Non-degree Seeking (see below).
• Testing requirements, if any, are determined by the program’s content.

If a student enrolled in a Technical Certificate of Credit program later changes to degree-seeking status, all regular admission requirements, including assessment, must be met. Likewise, a regularly admitted student pursuing an associate degree may concurrently pursue a Technical Certificate of Credit, but this provision does not alter any requirements for regular admission.

• Additional Admission Requirements

Some Technical Certificate of Credit programs have additional requirements, procedures, and deadlines which must be met. See the specific program in the “A.A.S. Degrees & Technical Certificates” section of this catalog for information.

Non-degree Seeking Students

A Non-degree Seeking student is one who takes credit courses without working toward a degree.  Non-degree Seeking students must:

• Apply for admission.
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Applicants under 21 years of age must submit an official high school transcript or official GED/HiSet scores.
• Testing may be required for eligibility to take courses
• Meet course prerequisites. (Transcripts may be required for advisement.)

Some Technical Certificate of Credit programs require testing before admission. Testing may also be required in order to take certain courses (see below). Though Non-degree Seeking students may not be required to complete normal assessment procedures, they are responsible for having the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed in their course(s).

Limitations:

• Non-degree Seeking students cannot enroll in a college level English or math course or in a course with an English or math prerequisite until they (1) satisfy the course’s Mandatory Assessment Requirements, or (2) show successful completion of an appropriate college level English and/or algebra-based math course.
• Non-degree Seeking students are not eligible for financial aid unless enrolled in an approved Technical Certificate of Credit program.
• There is no limit on the number of credits Non-degree Seeking students may carry per term other than those stated in the Academic Load policy.
• Non-degree Seeking students are not restricted in how many credits they can earn.

When Non-degree Seeking students change to degree-seeking status, ALL regular admissions requirements must be met.

Transient Students

Students who are regularly enrolled in another college may attend Chattanooga State as transient students. Transient students must:

• Apply for admission.
• Submit an official transcript from the respective home institution OR a transient permission letter.
• Submit a valid Tennessee driver’s license/state ID, U.S. passport, or permanent resident card. Residents of other states may submit a valid driver’s license with a government issued birth certificate.
• Meet course prerequisites.
• If taking English or math, show successful completion of appropriate college level English and/or algebra-based math course(s), or satisfy the course’s Mandatory Assessment Requirements.

^{Note: Transient Students are not eligible to receive financial aid through Chattanooga State. If a transient student changes to Chattanooga State degree seeking status, ALL admissions requirements must be met prior to registration.}

Audit

A student may audit college-level or Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) courses. Auditing may be denied based on available space or if restricted by program of study.

Students may enroll in any combination of audit and credit courses.

Students cannot audit learning support courses.

Payment of the regular course fee is required. The student participates in class, but is not required to do assignments or take tests.

Audit hours may not be converted to credit later or used to replace an earlier grade.

Students may register to audit a class beginning the first day of the respective term through the last day of late registration for the term,

Students seeking to change from credit to audit must visit the Enrollment Services Center to request this change (deadline is the last day to drop a course with a “W” grade for that repective term-see Academic Calendar).

Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities

Tennessee residents who are totally and permanently disabled or who are senior citizens (age requirement defined below) may take courses at Chattanooga State for a reduced rate. A “Maintenance Fee Reduction Request,” available from the Enrollment Services Office, must be completed at the time of registration each semester in order to receive the discount or waiver. Normal admission (or readmission) requirements apply.

Audit-To receive a maintenance fee waiver for auditing, a person must:

• be age 60+ or permanently disabled
• meet Tennessee residency requirements
• provide proof of age or disability before registering
• register for AUDIT on first day of class if space is available in course(s)
• pay all other applicable fees

Credit-To receive discounted maintenance fees on credit courses, a person must:

• be age 65+ or permanently disabled
• meet Tennessee residency requirements
• provide proof of age or disability before registering
• have satisfied all prerequisites or other criteria required for the course(s)
• pay all other applicable fees

Readmission

A student who has not attended for two consecutive terms must:

• Reapply for admission
• Submit official transcripts from any college attended  (transcripts already on record do not have to be resubmitted).
• Submit any missing high school transcripts.
• Complete any unmet admission requirements
• Recent Chattanooga State graduates who are planning to continue attending must complete a Program Change form.
• Academic Fresh Start must be done at time of readmission (see Academic Fresh Start section for eligibility and terms).

Orientation

Orientation is required for all first-time degree-seeking students.

Out-of-State Fee Waivers

Chattanooga State is conveniently located to serve students in Alabama and Georgia, and will even grant in-state tuition to residents of these bordering counties: Jackson County, Alabama; or Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Walker, Whitfield, or Fannin County, Georgia. This classification is based on the information provided on your admission application.

Military personnel and their spouses stationed in the State of Tennessee because of military orders are not required to pay out-of-state tuition, as long as they are stationed in Tennessee for a reason other than seeking an education.

Students who work full-time in Tennessee and attend class part-time will be charged in-state tuition. These students must provide an employer verification form (available online) when paying their fees each semester. Students who are only taking online classes (and who do not qualify for a better tuition rate because of one of the classifications explained above) may qualify for a special tuition eRate. Information is available on the bursar’s web site

Residency Classification

The following determines in-state and out-of-state status for fees and tuition purposes for college credit courses. The fee policies are defined by the State University and Community College System of Tennessee:

• Everyone domiciled* in Tennessee is classified in-state for fee, tuition, and admission purposes.
• Everyone not domiciled in Tennessee is classified out-of-state for said purposes.
• The domicile of an “unemancipated person”** is that of his or her parent (i.e., father or mother, or non-parental guardian or legal custodian provided the guardianship or custodianship was not created primarily to create in-state status).
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students who are out-of-state residents do not pay additional fees because of residency.
• Unemancipated students of divorced parents are in-state when one parent, regardless of custodial status, is domiciled in Tennessee.
• The spouse of a student classified as in-state shall also be classified as in-state.
• International students will pay out-of-state tuition and cannot establish Tennessee residency.
• Students classified by Immigration as a Permanent Resident, Resident Alien, Refugee, or Immigrant may be charged in-state fees if domiciled in Tennessee.
• Part-time students who are not domiciled in Tennessee but who are employed full-time in Tennessee are classified out-of-state but are not required to pay out-of-state tuition. The student must provide proper documentation each semester.

_{* Domicile-a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation; it is the place where he or she intends to remain, and to which he or she expects to return when he or she leaves without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.
** Emancipated person-a person who is eighteen years old, and whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to his/her care, custody, and earnings and are no longer under any legal obligation to support or maintain him/her.}

Contact the Enrollment Services Office for more information.