BlueSky Tennessee Institute Program

• Who should apply? 

  • Students who meet minimum academic eligibility requirements to be admitted to East Tennessee State University
    
    
    
    
  • Students who wish to complete their degree in a cohort-based accelerated format at the BlueCross BlueShield campus in Chattanooga.  
  • Students who want a hands-on, work-based learning program 
  • Students who demonstrate the following characteristics: 
    • Maturity & self-direction 
    • Enthusiasm for the field of computer science 
    • Relationship building skills 
    • Leadership 
    • Perseverance and determination 
  • All students are encouraged to apply but since this program does not have a residential component, applicants should be aware that they must secure their own housing if accepted.

1. Complete the ETSU application process.
   
   1. Fill out the ETSU application for admission to the university.  Make sure to select Computing as your major and check the box indicating your interest in BlueSky Institute.
   2. Send all transcripts from High School or previous colleges attended.
   3. ACT/SAT scores are optional for admissions but students are encouraged to submit them for placement purposes. If they are not submitted, students will need to take placement exams once admitted.
      1. Students with a 2.29 high school GPA or below are required to submit ACT or SAT scores.
2. Complete the BlueSky Tennessee Institute application .
   
   1. Complete the BlueSky Institute application form.
      1. The application has three essay questions to complete. To view these questions, please click here.
      2. The application will require 3 references. Please have permission from your references before completing your application.
         
         
   2. If invited, participate in the interview days.
      1. References will be contacted if invited to the interview by BlueSky staff.
3. Fill out the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 year (after January 1, 2024). 

Application Deadlines: 

• Deadline #1 – All application items due by November 15th. 
  
  • Interviews conducted at BCBST December 9-10.
  • Decision notifications by January 31st.
• Deadline #2 – All application items due by January 24th.
  
  • Interviews conducted at BCBST February 12-13.
  • Decision notifications by March 1st.
• If there are still slots available, additional applications will be considered on a rolling basis 
• Applicants may receive one of two decisions – Admitted or Denied.

*Please note that you will receive TWO decisions from this process- one from ETSU and one from the BlueSky Institute.  Admittance to ETSU does NOT guarantee participation in the BlueSky Tennessee Institute.

Please contact Haley Wilson, BlueSky Recruiter, with any questions:

Haley_Wilson@bcbst.com |  423-260-5079

Scholarship Awarding

Applicants should indicate their interest in BlueSky Institute scholarships on the BlueSky Institute application.  Once students are admitted to BlueSky Institute, admitted to ETSU, and their FAFSA result has been received, students will be considered for generous BlueSky Institute scholarships on the basis of financial need, academic scholarships, and additional application information submitted. 

FAQs

• I am a current student in the Department of Computing, can I apply to this program?

  Given the cohort-based nature of the program, students who have already begun work on a Computing degree at ETSU may find it problematic to participate in the BlueSky Institute program. Interested students should reach out to the Computing Advisor to discuss their situation. 

• Will there be housing as a part of this program?

  No – BlueSky Institute will not be a residential program; if housing becomes available, students who have indicated an interest will be notified.

• Where does this program take place?

  All Computing courses are offered through live instruction at the ETSU BlueSky Institute campus housed at the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters building in Chattanooga, TN. General education courses may be offered as online options.
  

• What is the start date of the BlueSky Institute program?

  Cohorts will begin each Fall semester. BlueSky Institute students will also be required to complete a unique Summer Bridge Program in Chattanooga. This summer bridge program consists of an on-location experience that will prepare BlueSky Institute students for college-level coursework and the transitions that accompany both a college and corporate experience. This summer bridge program begins the first Monday of August.

• Which degree would I be getting as a part of this program?

  B.S. in Computing with a concentration in Information Systems.

• How is this program different from a traditional on-campus program?

  The BlueSky Institute is an accelerated, job-embedded bachelor’s degree experience and differs greatly from the traditional on-campus program.

  • Most notably, the BlueSky Institute program is accelerated, which means that students will complete a traditional 4-year degree program in only 27-months.
  • Additionally, the BlueSky Institute offers an extensive, hands-on internship embedded into the academic program. This internship allows for students to gain valuable experience as they work to satisfy their degree requirements.
  • Students who successfully complete the BlueSky Institute have an opportunity to earn a permanent position within BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
• What classes would I take as part of this program? What semesters will I be enrolled?

  Click to see the suggested course sequence for this program. However, the accelerated nature of this program requires careful course planning to ensure students complete on time. Students will work closely with student success staff to assist with schedule planning. Students transferring in college credit earned in high school may have fulfilled some course requirements.

• Will my dual enrollment, AP, IB, CLEP or previous college credit transfer to BlueSky Institute?

  We know how hard you worked for the credits you have earned. Here are some of the tools you can use to understand how your previous coursework may transfer to ETSU. East Tennessee State University will accept transfer credit of similar course work from accredited institutions.

  Transfer Equivalency tables – contains a listing of institutions by state that ETSU has transferred credit from before.

  AP, IB, CLEP, TN Statewide Dual Credit, and other equivalencies – contains a listing of exams, needed scores, and the credit equivalent at ETSU.

• Am I guaranteed a job after I complete this program?

  Students can earn a conditional job offer with BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee at the completion of the BlueSky program and our intent is for every BlueSky Institute student to receive a job offer upon graduating from BlueSky.

• Must I work for BlueCross after I am done with this program?  

  No; our hope is that BlueSky Institute students will want to work for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee but there is no mandatory work requirement as part of the BlueSky Institute program.

• Will there be student support services for students as a part of this program? (Counseling Services, Tutoring, Housing, Health Clinic, Workout facilities, tutoring).  

  Students who participate in BlueSky Institute will have access to key resources provided by ETSU for student services. This does not include housing, as the program takes place in Chattanooga. BlueSky Institute will be staffed by a student support manager, whose full-time role is to ensure that students in BlueSky Institute have access to the resources they need.

• What is the cost of the program? 

  Charges for BlueSky Tennessee Institute students are similar to the costs for traditional students at East Tennessee State University.  Cohort year and total costs are listed below.  Remember, these DO NOT include any financial aid. These charges can be covered by both traditional financial aid (Tennessee State aid and/or federal aid) and/or scholarships offered specifically for BlueSky Tennessee Institute students.  You can indicate your interest in these scholarships on the program application.

  Please note that all amounts are estimates based on the 2021-2022 tuition rates and are subject to change. Also, semester and year cost will vary based on the number of credits taken.

  In-state and border county students
  (Border counties: NC: Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey, VA: Grayson, Lee, Scott, Washington)

  In state cohort year 1 = $21,711 (Fall 1, Winter 1, Spring 1, Summer 1)
  In state cohort year 2 = $20,442 (Fall 2, Winter 2, Spring 2, Summer 2
  In state cohort year 3 = $5,737 (Fall 3)

  Border States 
  (KY, VA, NC, SC, GA)

  OOS 5 States cohort year 1 = $23,277 (same as above)
  OOS 5 States cohort year 2 = $21,819 (same as above)
  OOS 5 States cohort year 3 = $6,142 (same as above)

  Out of State

  OOS Remaining cohort year 1 = $29,077 (same as above)
  OOS Remaining cohort year 2 = $26,919 (same as above)
  OOS Remaining cohort year 3 = $7,642 (same as above)

• What financial aid is available? 

  Students admitted to the BlueSky Tennessee Institute can be considered for generous scholarships.  Students should indicate their interest in scholarships on the BlueSky Tennessee Institute application.  Generous scholarships are available to students and are awarded based on financial need, academic preparation, high school involvement and curriculum, interest in computing, and other information supplied in the BlueSky application.  The BlueSky Institute Scholarships are designed to help reduce a student’s out-of-pocket cost as much as possible.  Student’s who enroll in the BlueSky Program AND receive a BlueSky Institute Scholarship are not eligible to receive any other ETSU scholarships. 

  All students should complete the FAFSA to be considered for state and federal aid, based on both need and merit. Many students will find they are eligible for assistance!

  Qualifying Tennessee residents who have a final high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above or a 21 ACT composite score or may qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship worth $3500 per year. The Tennessee Student Assistance Award is another state award that provides funding based on need. Students must file a FAFSA to be eligible for TN state aid.  You can view eligibility and scholarship details for all Tennessee State aid on the THEC website. 

  Students with qualifying financial need may be eligible for assistance from the federal government through the FAFSA. 

• Do I have to apply for the BlueSky Institute Scholarships? 

  Students interested in the BlueSky Institute scholarships should indicate their interest on the BlueSky Institute application form and submit their FAFSA as soon as possible.

• Can I use the Tennessee Promise for this program? 

  No. This program is an accelerated bachelor’s degree program. The Tennessee Promise can only be used for Associate Degrees or TCAT programs.

• Can I qualify for the ETSU Promise Plus Program? 

  The ETSU Promise Plus Program is not available to BlueSky Institute students as many of the program requirements cannot be fulfilled in the cohort, accelerated degree model. However, BlueSky Institute students have unique scholarship opportunities as described above.

• I have questions. Is there someone I can contact for help?

  Please contact Haley Wilson, Student Recruitment Coordinator with any questions:
  haley_wilson@bcbst.com or 423.260.5079