The Office of Student Success Programs

The Office of Student Success Programs develops and administers initiatives that support student engagement, persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion. Our office also provides data support to help connect insights with action, enhancing the student experience.

Pathway to HOPE Academy

The purpose of this program is to give first year students an early start to their college experience through summer coursework, academic support, and opportunities for campus engagement. It is designed for admitted students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.99.

Additionally, students will learn about campus resources that can help them strengthen their academic performance and work toward HOPE Scholarship eligibility.

Program Details

Program: Summer 2027
Program dates: June 29–July 23, with move-in on June 27
Courses: Students will take two courses: ENG 1101 (English Composition) and HIST 2112 (U.S. History)
Housing: Housing will be provided during the program, and students may move into their permanent residence hall assignment the weekend following the program
Engagement: Weekly engagement opportunities will be offered for the cohort
Registration deadline: June 4
Total program cost: $3,500, which includes tuition, housing, and dining for July

Contact Dr. Monica Smith, monicas@westga.edu, for more information.

Registration will open on March 1, 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can high school students qualify for the HOPE Scholarship?

To qualify for the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia, students must be legal Georgia residents for at least 12 months, be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and not already hold a bachelor’s degree. If you are an out-of-state student, the Georgia residency requirement is 24 months to qualify for the scholarship.

Students must also graduate from high school with at least a 3.0 GPA in core curriculum courses—including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language—as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). Students who do not qualify immediately after high school may still gain eligibility after completing 30, 60, or 90 college credit hours by maintaining a cumulative 3.0 college GPA at those checkpoints.

Does this program guarantee that I will receive the HOPE Scholarship?

Will my financial aid cover the cost of the program?

Should I still attend summer orientation?

Other Student Success Programs

JUMP!

This pre-college program is designed to offer students the opportunity to return to campus early and engage in academic and student programming focused on college readiness.

Learn More About JUMP!

Peer Mentoring

Through mentorship, first-year students receive guidance and support as they navigate college life and explore career opportunities. Each student will be paired with an academic coach and may participate in additional mentorship opportunities through campus partners.

Don't Lose HOPE Program

Students who receive the HOPE Scholarship and whose grade point average falls just below the required threshold at the end of the fall semester, prior to earning 30 credit hours, are invited to participate in this program. Participants who successfully complete the program requirements, including academic and financial coaching, time management support, and career exploration, will have opportunities to build community, earn pack cards, and participate in field trips and celebratory events. Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Contact Dr. Monica Smith, monicas@westga.edu, for more information.

Additional Support Services

Faculty & Staff Data Requests

If you are a current UWG faculty or staff member seeking student success data to support student-centered decision-making, please complete the request form.

Request Access to Student Success Data