The Summer Bridge Program
A select group of students have an opportunity to get a strong start on their college career through the Summer 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 Summer 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 fall semester. Participants will connect with support services while earning six college credits towards 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 Summer 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
Submit the contract only if you have received an email inviting you to participate in the Summer Bridge program.
Orientation
Register for and attend the Summer Bridge Orientation.
New Student Orientation for 2023 Summer Bridge students will be held on May 12 and May 20.
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 both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2022-2023 and 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
Summer Bridge Program Financial Assistance
Funding may be available to cover the costs of housing, meals and textbooks. Keep in mind that funding is limited and that the priority consideration deadline is Friday, June 16, 2023.
To be considered for funding, students must:
- Complete and submit the Summer Bridge Enrollment Contract
- Register for Orientation
- Complete their financial aid file using the Financial Aid Checklist
- Complete both the 2022-2023 FAFSA AND the 2023-2024 FAFSA
- Complete the Summer 2023 Housing application to live on campus
Questions? Call us at (678) 466-4185, email us at financialaid@clayton.edu, or send us a message in Microsoft Teams for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are invited to be a part of the Summer 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.
- Review, sign, and return The Summer Bridge Program Enrollment Contract,
- Register for Summer Bridge Orientation, and
- Attend the Summer Bridge Orientation.
No. If you successfully complete the Summer Bridge program by passing both of your courses, you are eligible to return for the fall semester. However, in order to register for classes in the fall, you must complete Freshman Orientation as well.
The Summer Bridge Program courses for 2023 start June 24 and end July 25.
All classes will be held at Clayton State University’s main campus in Morrow, GA.
Students in the Summer 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 summer schedule.
Yes. You will receive grades and 6 hours credit for the courses passed.
Please see the tuition calculator online for in-state and out-of-state tuition and fee costs for 6 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 1st floor of Edgewater Hall. Information on how to purchase textbooks will be given at Summer Bridge Orientation.
Financial Aid is determined on a calendar that begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer semester. Therefore, the 2022-2023 FAFSA will determine how much financial aid you can receive for Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023. Since the Summer Bridge Program begins in Summer 2023, which is from the financial aid year 2022-2023, you must also complete the FAFSA for 2023-2024 to receive financial aid during the summer semester.
For the 2022-2023 FAFSA, students will be required to use their 2020 income and tax information. 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 June 1 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 Summer 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.
The cost for campus room and board during the summer session will be approximately $1,792.00. This includes three meals per day (M-F), two meals per day (Sat-Sun), all utilities, cable, high speed internet, furniture, microwave and a refrigerator.
Yes. Look for important information from University Housing to plan for fall semester.
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 fall admission rescinded
Students admitted to the Summer Bridge Program that 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.