A Unique First-Year Experience
The Bridge Scholars Program is for first-year applicants who demonstrate potential for success in college, but who we feel would benefit from a transitional support program in order to maximize their achievements at Georgia College & State University. Bridge candidates are nominated for the program by the Admissions Office following a review of the application materials and then must interview for a competitive spot in the program.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis following each interview date until the program is full. Enrollment is limited to approximately 125 students. Students are notified of their admission status within one to two weeks of the interview. Decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Once admitted, students begin their first year with an intensive five-week summer program that is designed to assist them in transitioning from high school to college and help them to build a strong academic foundation. Students who pass the summer semester with a grade of C or better in all classes, complete BSP summer participation requirements, and maintain a clear judicial record are invited to return to Georgia College in the fall.
BSP is a Residential Learning Community at Georgia College focusing on freshman success. Students in the BSP commit to spending their first year living and learning together as a group. Peer mentoring, tutoring, and special programs such as speakers, workshops, community service projects and socials are offered exclusively to the BSP community.
Important Information
Summer Program Dates
BSP Orientation & Move-In
June 17, 2023
Classes
June 20 - July 20, 2023
Holiday Break (no classes)
July 3-4, 2023
Final Exams
July 19 & 20, 2023
Closing Banquet
July 20, 2023
Apartment Checkout*
July 21, 2023
*Please note that students will be allowed to leave belongings in their apartments until they return for the fall semester in August.
Cost of the Program
Please note that these are estimated costs only and subject to change. Final costs are based on state budgets determined by decisions of the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia.
Program Fee (one-time annual fee)
$300
Tuition (in-state)
$1,750
Student Fees
$1,008
Housing Deposit*
$235
Housing (4-person apartment)
$939
Meals (25 Block Meal Plan)
$235
Total Cost
$4,467
*Housing deposit is due by May 1, 2023 or a late fee of $50 will be applied
Financial Aid
Students must complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application in order to apply for federal and state aid programs for Summer semester 2023. Eligibility for federal financial aid programs will be determined based on this FAFSA, which includes grants and student loans as well as Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program. Students should also complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA in order to apply for financial aid for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. If the student is only interested in receiving the HOPE Scholarship, an alternative application (GSFAPPS) may be completed at www.GAfutures.org. For more information, visit www.gcsu.edu/financialaid or contact the GC Office of Financial Aid at 478-445-5149 or financialaid@gcsu.edu.
Program Fee
Admitted students must be one of the first 125 students to submit their $300 BSP fee in order to secure placement within the program. More students will be offered placement in BSP than spaces are available, so it is important that payment is made as quickly as possible. Because space is very limited, we cannot guarantee you a space in the program until this fee has been paid. Please contact Dr. Erin Weston at (478) 445-6293 if you would like information about a needs-based deferral of your $300 fee.
Once you a student has been offered a spot in the Bridge Scholars Program, they may pay their program fee here.