Scholarships
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DEADLINES FOR DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS -- IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Departmental scholarship awarding is currently underway and will continue throughout the summer. Please check with program coordinators in your area of study for deadlines related to departmental scholarships, and contact us at scholarships@westga.edu or 678-839-6421 for more information.
Scholarships
A University of West Georgia education is an investment in your career, and your goals, and your future. You've got the drive to make it happen, and we've got the resources to put it within reach. Start the scholarship application process by completing your FAFSA today.
Incoming Student Scholarships
At UWG, applying for scholarships is as simple as completing the FAFSA. The following scholarships are available to incoming students beginning Fall 2024:
UWG Advantage Scholarship
Criteria
The UWG Advantage Scholarship is available to any incoming first-time, full-time freshman student who:
- Has a 3.0 or higher academic high school GPA
- Is a permanent resident of Georgia and provides verification of lawful presence
- Is HOPE eligible at the time of degree-seeking enrollment
- Files a valid FAFSA
- Has a household income of $65,000 or less
- Enrolls at UWG directly from high school
Award Amount
The UWG Advantage Scholarship covers all remaining costs for tuition and required institutional fees after all other scholarships and aid have been awarded.
UWG Ascend Scholarship
Criteria
The UWG Ascend Scholarship is available to any incoming first-time, full-time freshman student who:
- Has a 2.5 to 2.99 unweighted academic core GPA
- Does not qualify for HOPE Scholarship
- Is a permanent resident of Georgia and provides verification of lawful presence
- Files a valid FAFSA
- Enrolls at UWG Directly from high school
Award Amount
UWG Ascend Scholarship recipients receive awards based on GPA. Please see the chart below for award amounts.
| GPA | Annual Award Amount |
|---|---|
| 2.50 - 2.74 | $1000 |
| 2.75 - 2.99 | $2000 |
Is this award renewable?
Yes! The UWG Ascend Scholarship is renewable at the original awarded amount with an institutional GPA of no less than 0.25 lower than the incoming award GPA requirement.
EDGE Scholarship
Criteria
The EDGE Scholarship is available to any incoming first-time, full-time freshman student who:
- Has a 2.5 or higher academic high school GPA
- Is a permanent resident of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee and provides verification of lawful presence
- Enrolls at UWG directly from high school
Award Amounts
In addition to in-state tuition, EDGE scholarship recipients will receive awards based on GPA. Please see the chart below for award amounts.
| High School GPA | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| 2.50 - 2.74 | $1,000 |
| 2.75 - 2.99 | $2,000 |
| 3.00 - 3.24 | $2,500 |
| 3.25 - 3.49 | $3,000 |
| 3.50 - 3.79 | $3,500 |
| 3.80 - 4.00 | $4,000 |
GoWest Scholarship
Criteria
The GoWest Scholarship is available to any incoming first-time, full-time freshman student who
- Has a 2.5 or higher academic high school GPA
- Is a domestic, out-of-state permanent resident (excluding AL, FL, NC, SC, and TN residents) and provides verification of lawful presence
- Enrolls at UWG directly from high school
Award Amounts
GoWest Scholarship recipients receive awards based on GPA. Please see the chart below for award amounts.
| High School GPA | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| 2.50 - 2.74 | $3,000 |
| 2.75 - 2.99 | $4,000 |
| 3.00 - 3.24 | $4,500 |
| 3.25 - 3.49 | $5,000 |
| 3.50 - 3.79 | $5,500 |
| 3.80 - 4.00 | $6,000 |
Other Scholarship Resources
Complete your FAFSA now
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) serves as your application for all state and federal aid, as well as the HOPE Scholarship and UWG Advantage Scholarship for Georgia residents. UWG's FAFSA code is 001601.
Additional Scholarship Resources
- All students may complete the UWG Scholarship Application.
- Honors College
- Performing Arts
- Department of Multicultural Achievement
- Athletics
- For additional departmental scholarship opportunities, please contact your academic department or college.
- External Scholarship Resources
Scholarships - FAQ
- UWG Advantage Scholarship
- Ascend Scholarship
- EDGE Scholarship
- GoWest Scholarship
- Definitions and Questions
Who is eligible for the UWG Advantage Scholarship?
The UWG Advantage Scholarship is available to any incoming undergraduate student who:
- Is a permanent resident of Georgia and can provide verification of lawful presence
- Is a first-time, full-time degree-seeking student enrolling directly from high school
- Is HOPE eligible at the time of degree-seeking enrollment
- Has a 3.0 or higher unweighted academic core GPA as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Files a valid FAFSA
- Has a household income of $65,000 or less
How much is the UWG Advantage Scholarship worth?
The UWG Advantage Scholarship award amount varies by student. The award covers all remaining costs for tuition and required fees after any additional scholarships, grants, and aid have been applied.
What costs can the UWG Advantage Scholarship be applied to?
The UWG Advantage Scholarship may be applied to tuition and required institutional fees. For more information about tuition and fee costs, view our Cost of Attendance.
Is this award renewable?
Yes. The UWG Advantage Scholarship is renewable annually with maintained HOPE eligibility.
Who is eligible for the Ascend Scholarship?
The Ascend Scholarship is available to any incoming undergraduate student who:
- Does not qualify for HOPE Scholarship
- Is a permanent resident of Georgia and provides verification of lawful presence
- Enrolls at UWG directly from high school
- Has a 2.5 to 2.99 unweighted academic core GPA as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Files a valid FAFSA
Is this award renewable?
Yes! The UWG Ascend Scholarship is renewable at the original awarded amount with an institutional GPA of no less than 0.25 lower than the incoming award GPA requirement.
Who is eligible for the EDGE Scholarship?
The EDGE Scholarship is available to any incoming undergraduate student who:
- Is a permanent resident of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee and can provide verification of lawful presence
- Is a first-time, full-time degree-seeking student enrolling directly from high school
- Has a 2.5 or higher unweighted academic core GPA as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Is this award renewable?
Yes. The EDGE Scholarship is renewable at the original awarded amount with an institutional GPA of no less than 0.25 lower than the incoming GPA award requirement.
Who is eligible for the GoWest Scholarship?
The GoWest Scholarship is available to any incoming undergraduate student who:
- Is a domestic, out-of-state permanent resident (excludes AL, FL, NC, SC, and TN) and can provide verification of lawful presence
- Is a first-time, full-time degree-seeking student enrolling directly from high school
- Has a 2.5 or higher academic core GPA as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Is this award renewable?
Yes. The GoWest Scholarship is renewable at the original awarded amount with an institutional GPA of no less than 0.25 lower than the incoming award GPA requirement.
What is a valid FAFSA?
A valid FAFSA has all required household information, income information, and signatures. If your FAFSA is valid, your Student Aid Report will have an EFC in the top right-hand corner.
What does "household income" mean?
Your household income is the adjusted gross income (AGI) that you and your family enter on the FAFSA. For the 2023-2024 academic year, you can find the AGI on line 11 of your 2021 tax return (1040).
What does "permanent resident" mean?
In this context, Permanent Resident refers to an individual who is legally and permanently residing in the United States. A permanent resident should be able to prove citizenship or verification of residency and verification of lawful presence.
What proof of residency is required for these scholarships?
To qualify for the UWG Advantage, EDGE, or GoWest Scholarships, students must meet lawful presence requirements. Students may verify this by submitting a valid FAFSA or one of the approved documents listed here.
I'm not from Georgia. Can I still verify my lawful presence?
Yes. You may submit a valid FAFSA or any of the approved documents listed here.
What are the requirements for HOPE eligibility?
The HOPE Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are residents of Georgia, maintain a 3.0 HOPE GPA, and meet UWG's academic progress rules. A student meeting the requirements to be a HOPE scholar at the time of high school graduation must earn a minimum of four full credits from the academic rigor course categories prior to graduating from high school. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) determines high school student eligibility from the student's GPA and fulfillment of academic rigor requirements. UWG only determines that the student is an eligible US citizen and GA resident and that the application requirement is met. An enrolled UWG student must maintain a 3.0 HOPE GPA at the institution. More information is available from the UWG Financial Aid office and the GSFC website.
How do I apply for scholarships?
The UWG Advantage Scholarship and UWG Ascend Scholarship automatically award based on your admissions application information, residency, and FAFSA. The UWG EDGE and UWG GoWest scholarships are automatic awards based on your admissions information and residency. For departmental scholarships, please contact your academic department.
Contact Us
Contact Office of Financial Aid
Need in person assistance? Visit us at the Momentum Center! | 8:00am - 5:00pm (ET)
finaid@westga.edu