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 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 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)
Student 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.
Program Requirements
This program will be limited to a select group of applicants to Clayton State University. Once enrolled in Bridge students will need to:
- Review, sign and submit The Bridge Enrollment Contract
- Register for and attend Summer Start Orientation
- Complete both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 (School code is 008976)
- Begin classes Thursday, June 20, 2020 and successfully complete summer courses
Housing Grant
Funding may be available to cover the costs of housing, meals and textbooks. Funding is limited and is awarded to students who have:
- Completed The Bridge Enrollment Contract
- Registered for Summer Start Orientation
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.
- Review, sign, and return The Bridge Program Enrollment Contract,
- Register for Summer Start Orientation, and
- Attend the Summer Start Orientation.
Summer Start Orientation is Friday, June 12, 2020 starting at 9:00 AM. The fee to register for Summer Start Orientation is $100.00, and is non-refundable. Students can bring up to two (2) guests to the Summer Start Orientation. To register for the Summer Start Orientation, go to the SWAN. Once you have logged into the SWAN select the Orientation icon (Student Orientation Management Portal) and select "Register for Orientation". You will be redirected to sign into OrWeb-Orientation Website. Use your SWAN username and password to log in and complete registration.
Yes. The Office of Admissions must have your final high school transcript before you are able to begin classes in the summer. Transcripts must be received before Wednesday, June 24th. It will be your responsibility to make sure the request for your final transcript is submitted. Please note, financial aid will not be dispersed and you will not be able to move onto campus housing until your final high school transcript is received.
No. If you successfully complete the summer 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 Bridge Program will last 4.5 weeks - Thursday, June 25, 2020 to Monday, July 27, 2020. Classes will meet Monday - Thursday. Monday and Wednesday schedule is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday schedule is 9 a.m. to 2:50 p.m
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 summer schedule.
Yes. You will receive grades and 6 hours credit for the courses passed.
The in-state cost for tuition and fees for 6 credit hours for the 2019-2020 academic year is $1,752.98. Please see the fee schedule online for out-of-state tuition costs.
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 Start Orientation.
Financial Aid is determined on a calendar that begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer semester. Therefore, the 2019-2020 FAFSA will determine how much financial aid you can receive for fall 2019, spring 2020, and summer 2020. Since The Bridge Program begins in summer 2020, which is from the financial aid year 2019-2020, you must also complete the FAFSA for 2020-2021 to receive financial aid during the summer semester.
For the 2019-2020 FAFSA, students will be required to use their 2017 income and tax information. For the 2020-2021 FASFA, students will be required to use their 2018 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 1st 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 attend these 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, 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. View the immunization information.
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 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.