The Summer Bridge Program
A select group of students have an opportunity to get a strong start on their college career through the Bridge Program.
Designed to support students who show great promise academically but did not qualify to be admitted to Clayton State based on high school grade point average, or one or more scores on the SAT or ACT, the Bridge Program gives students the resources to excel at the college level.
Students are invited to attend the program during the summer to prepare for the following semester. Participants will connect with support services while earning at least twelve college credits toward their degree requirements.
Some of the highlights of the program are:
- Individualized study skills and learning style assessments
- Academic skills workshops
- Leadership development
- Introduction to key faculty and staff
- Individualized guidance and support from the Center for Academic Success, Center for Advisement and Retention, Financial Aid, Student Life, and more
- Social and networking opportunities
- Residential Living-Learning Community (optional)
Students will complete the Bridge Program with better developed study habits and academic skills, credit toward their degree, knowledge of various campus resources, and an opportunity for admission.
Next Steps
Review, sign and submit the Summer Bridge Enrollment Contract
Orientation
Register for and attend the Bridge Program Orientation.
New Student Orientation for 2023 Fall Bridge students will be held on July 21 and August 4.
Get Your LakerCard
The LakerCard is your student ID for Clayton State. You can also use your LakerCard for spending at vending machines and SmartPrint by depositing funds to your LakerBucks account.
Upload your photo to get started:
Log in using your Loch ID and network password.
Coming Summer 2023: The LakerCard Center on the Morrow Campus will be moving from its location in the University Center to the Loch Shop in Edgewater Hall.
Financial Aid
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2023-2024 (School code is 008976).
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For instructions and questions on how to complete FAFSA, please refer to our Financial Aid website.
Apply for Housing
Laker Hall is our freshman residence, which features a lounge and fully-furnished rooms. Find the comforts of home in our University Housing.
Submit Required Documents
- Final transcripts
- VOLP
- Immunization form
You can check for account holds through your student account (DUCK).
Submit your official final high school transcript to Admissions after graduation.
Submit your Certificate of Immunization to University Health Services via the Patient Portal.
Submit your Verification of Lawful Presence to Admissions.
Begin Classes
Begin classes and successfully complete summer courses
Requirements & Expectations
The Fall Bridge program is designed to support incoming freshman students and help them transition from high school to college. This support is provided through small class sizes, campus resources and faculty and staff academic support. Here is a checklist of requirements and expectations for the program:
Requirements
- Successfully complete a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours of coursework
- Attend each class session
- Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA
- Take the pre-program Accuplacer Exam before Friday, August 11, 2023
- Take the post-program Accuplacer Exam before Monday, December 18, 2023
- Each week, attend two mandatory study sessions after class in the Laker Hall Student Success Center (LHSSC)
- Each week, complete six hours of study hall in the Center for Academic Success (includes attendance at study sessions, tutoring, and academic coaching)
Expectations
- Attend and actively participate in all courses
- Follow guidelines in the instructors’ syllabi and read the entire syllabus
- Participate in supplemental enrichment programs and events
- Complete all courses with a grade of C or better to continue enrollment into Spring 2024
- Actively utilize faculty office hours and academic support resources
Frequently Asked Questions
You are invited to be a part of the Bridge Program because you did not qualify for regular admission into Clayton State University. Your scores in one area of the ACT or SAT did not meet minimum requirements. However, you have demonstrated the potential to be a successful college student based on your high school performance. We would love to give you the opportunity to realize that potential at Clayton State University.
Great question! This is a three step process.
- Submit the Bridge Program Enrollment Contract,
- Register for Bridge Program Orientation, and
- Attend the Bridge Program Orientation.
No. If you successfully complete the Bridge Program by passing your courses, you are eligible to return for the next semester. However, in order to register for classes initially, you must complete Bridge Orientation.
See the Academic Calendar for your semester.
All classes will be held at Clayton State University’s main campus in Morrow, GA.
Students in the Bridge Program will be able to choose from a limited number course offerings. All of the offerings have been identified as excellent transition courses into the university. Each student will work with an academic advisor to build their class schedule.
Yes. You will receive grades and at least 12 hours credit for the courses passed.
Please see the tuition calculator online for in-state and out-of-state tuition and fee costs for 12 credit hours.
Yes. You will be responsible for purchasing textbooks for the courses. Please visit the Clayton State University Loch Shop for information regarding required textbooks at or by visiting them on campus on the first floor of Edgewater Hall. Information on how to purchase textbooks will be given at Bridge Orientation.
For the 2023-2024 FASFA, students will be required to use their 2021 income and tax information. To guard against providing incorrect data on both FAFSAs, you may be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to automatically import your tax information into your FAFSA. (Learn about the IRS DRT at StudentAid.gov/irsdrt.)
We recommend you complete the FAFSA no later than July 15 to allow some time to submit additional documents, if needed. Remember, we must have ALL required information (not just the FAFSA) before we can award any funds. Any student desiring to attend the Bridge Program who does not have financial aid in place before classes begin will have to pay tuition and fees in full.
Yes. In fact, we strongly encourage students to live on campus because many events and activities are held on campus. Living in university housing allows you to participate on campus easily, while having a quality residential experience in a state-of-the-art facility.
Yes. In order to register for classes, you must show immunity to MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) and varicella (chicken pox) either through vaccination, lab results showing immunity or physician documentation of the disease. You must also show proof of a tetanus vaccine in the past ten years and complete a tuberculosis screening. An additional requirement for a meningitis vaccine applies to students in university housing. You will not be permitted to register until you submit this proof to University Health Services.
No. Please schedule all medical, dental, and other personal appointments either before or after the program or on Fridays when there are no classes. Any student that misses more than two (2) class sessions or two (2) enrichment sessions during the program may be dismissed from the program and will have his/her admission rescinded.
Students admitted to the Bridge Program who do not attend are not eligible for regular freshmen admission. The program is only available to first time full-time freshmen applying to college immediately after high school, so deferral to another year is not possible.