University of West Georgia Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

A University of West Georgia (UWG) education represents a significant investment in one's future, career aspirations, and personal goals. Recognizing this, UWG provides a multitude of scholarship opportunities to assist students in achieving their academic dreams. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarships available at UWG, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and deadlines.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance at UWG

Before diving into specific scholarship opportunities, it's essential to understand the overall cost of attending UWG. For in-state students, the tuition is $7,210, while out-of-state students face a tuition of $21,850. While this includes tuition and fees (also referred to as the sticker price), it’s important to consider the total cost, which includes food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. At UWG, the total cost is $24,028 for in-state students and $37,846 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,422, University of West Georgia is cheaper. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,767.

General Scholarship Application Information

The 2024-2025 UWG Scholarship Application is currently open for students to complete through the UWG Scholarship portal (westga.edu/scholarships). It's crucial to pay close attention to deadlines, as departmental scholarship awarding is underway and continues throughout the summer.

FAFSA and State Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for all state and federal aid, including the HOPE Scholarship and UWG Advantage Scholarship for Georgia residents. The Office of Financial Aid recommends completing the FAFSA by the priority deadline of January 1, 2023.

Featured Scholarship Programs

Presidential Scholarships

Each year, UWG awards a limited number of Presidential Scholarships to exceptional incoming Honors College students. The Presidential Scholarship Committee reviews the Admissions Scores of all Honors College eligible UWG incoming first-year students who have been accepted to the University of West Georgia and applied to the Honors College by the January 15 deadline. This review process is highly competitive.

UWG Advantage Scholarship

The UWG Advantage Scholarship is a unique opportunity for qualifying in-state students. In combination with the HOPE Scholarship, it can cover all tuition and required fees. Eligibility is based on a student’s admission application and FAFSA. Students do not need to complete an additional UWG scholarship application to apply for the UWG Advantage, EDGE, or GoWest Scholarships. The EDGE and GoWest Scholarships are awarded based on information from a student’s admission application.

HOPE Scholarship and Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program

Georgia residents should investigate whether they qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, which is for students who have made substantial academic achievements. The Tuition Equalization Grant is for students attending private schools, helping to make the cost more comparable to public schools.

Pell Grants

The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible, and the award does not need to be repaid. If a student receives a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college they gain admission to.

Departmental Scholarships

UWG offers a wide array of departmental scholarships catering to specific fields of study. Here's a glimpse into some of these opportunities:

College of Education Scholarships

Douvanis (Dr.) Scholarship: Awarded to a graduate student with strong academic standing in the Department of Leadership, Research, and School Improvement, majoring in Educational Leadership.
Edwin M. Scholarship: Awarded to a student in Educational Leadership based on scholarship and professional promise.
Thomas S. Scholarship: Awarded to a certified educator pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree in education.
Irvine Sullivan Ingram Scholarship: Awarded to a graduate student who is working towards a Master's degree in Education in Reading.
Dr. Scholarship: Awarded to a graduate student majoring in Special Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Financial need will be considered.
Peggy S. Scholarship: Awarded to a graduate student seeking a degree in collaborative support and intervention program in Reading with exceptional academic standing. Demonstrated leadership abilities and qualities to become outstanding educator.
John J. and Ann K. Scholarship: Awarded to UWG graduate student working towards a Master’s Degree in Education.
Dano M. Scholarship: Awarded to a rising junior accepted in the Teacher Education Program within the UWG College of Education, be a graduate of a public high school within Heard or Carroll counties, and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. Additionally, two professors (education or major area) must provide a recommendation.
Earline J. Scholarship: Awarded to a senior who is majoring in Education and completing the internship phase of the program.
Lewis L. Scholarship: Awarded to student majoring in Education.
Bill Cummings Scholarship: Awarded to two students, one male and one female. Candidates must be undergraduate students majoring in Education, who have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Julia Ann (Judy) Kerr Scholarship: Awarded to a female student majoring in Early Childhood Education. Minimum GPA of 2.0 required.
Dorothy "Dot" McNabb Scholarship: Awarded to a junior or senior Physical Education major, who demonstrates merit and leadership potential, with a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Robert M. Scholarship: Awarded to a rising senior majoring in Physical Education, Health & Community Wellness, or Sport Management, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The student should be a member of a professional organization related to the student's major and display qualities such as: leadership, cooperation, enthusiasm, and dependability.
Samuel Teague Ray, Sr. Scholarship: Awarded to a junior or senior majoring in Health & Community Wellness, have a minimum GPA of 2.65, and demonstrate financial need.
Fred F. Scholarship: Awarded to a senior majoring in education in recognition of scholastic achievement.
Rosemary N. Scholarship: Awarded to a rising junior majoring in Elementary Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrating financial need. Preference given to graduate of a Carroll County high school.
Margaret N. Scholarship: Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education or Speech Pathology.
Johnnie B. and Edna P. Scholarship: Awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate OR graduate student with a 3.0 GPA or higher, preference for graduate students. Student must be from Bowdon, GA or Ranburn, AL. Priority for students demonstrating financial need.
Miss Michele May & Dr. Scholarship: Awarded to undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Special Education.
Moselle T. Scholarship: Awarded to a non-traditional undergraduate (25 years or older) or graduate student (any age) majoring in Education. Recipient should currently reside in Carroll or Heard County.
William D. Scholarship: Awarded to a UWG senior or graduate student with an education major, who is resident of Gwinnet County, GA. Student should have a 2.5 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need.
Hugh L. Brock, Jr. Scholarship: Awarded to a student majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrates strong character. Preference for students with unmet financial need and for a graduate from a Carroll county or city high school.
Joe H. Scholarship: The scholarship honors the man who was instrumental in establishing the close working relationship between West Georgia's teacher education program and the Carroll County Schools.
Awarded to a Freshman student by admissions.
Awarded to an undergraduate student in the College of Education that is “most deserving.”

Richards College of Business Scholarships

Charles W. Scholarship: This scholarship shall be awarded annually to a business major maintaining a 2.8 GPA or higher from the five-county west Georgia region. Strong preference will be given to a working student supporting a family.
James B. Scholarship: This scholarship shall be awarded annually to a full-time business major. The student must be an entering freshman with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a minimum combined SAT score of 1012 or ACT Composite score of 21. Priority will be given to a student residing in Muscogee County, and financial need will be a consideration. The scholarship is renewable for four years so long as the recipient maintains full-time status, a minimum GPA of 3.0 and is an active participant in any UWG sanctioned campus organization.
Henry M. Scholarship: This scholarship shall be awarded annually to a business major with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Preference will be given to students majoring in Marketing or Real Estate, students who have a financial need, and students from Newnan, Georgia.
W. Scholarship: This scholarship shall be awarded annually to a business major with financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Homer A. Scholarship: This scholarship recipient shall be a sophomore, junior, or senior who intends to complete a four-year B.B.A.
Norton Family Economics Endowed Scholarship Fund: The Norton Family Economics Endowed Scholarship Fund will be awarded annually by a scholarship committee within the Richards College of Business.
Eugene O. Scholarship
Jack E. Threadgill, Sr. Scholarship
Naomi L. Scholarship: This scholarship is to be awarded to an undergraduate Accounting major with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
This scholarship is to be awarded to an undergraduate Finance major with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
This scholarship will be awarded annually by the Accounting and Finance Department to a student majoring in Accounting.
This scholarship is to be awarded annually by the Marketing and Real Estate Department to a student majoring in Marketing or Real Estate with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
This scholarship will be awarded annually by a scholarship committee within the Richards College of Business to a student(s) meeting the following criteria: minimum 3.0 GPA and must be studying abroad for the first time. Preference shall be given to students majoring in Economics, and who demonstrate financial need.
Harry B. Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded annually to an Economics major who is participating in an RCOB sanctioned travel/study abroad opportunity. Preference will be given to a student who is from Carroll, Heard, Haralson, Polk, Coweta, or Douglas Counties, maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Tanner Health School of Nursing Scholarships

Nursing students must apply for nursing scholarships in the UWG Scholarship Portal and answer the Tanner Health School of Nursing Scholarship Supplemental Questions. The recommended deadline to apply is May 30th. If applicable, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form in the Financial Aid office or online prior to applying. Examples include:

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W. Horace Ayers Nursing Scholarship in Memory of Dennis H.
Carl C. and Judith F. Scholarship
Dr. Scholarship
Dr. & Mrs. Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Fleck Jr. Scholarship
Dr. Jeanette C. Scholarship
Dr. Laurie J. Scholarship
Ernest M. Scholarship
Herbert W. Scholarship
Hugh L. Brock, Jr. Scholarship
Martha W. Scholarship
Raymond L. Scholarship
Robert D. Scholarship

Other Notable Scholarships

A selection of other scholarships available to UWG students, showcasing the diverse range of opportunities:

Scholarship for residents of the Seventh Congressional District or an adjoining Alabama county: For undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the University of West Georgia. Number of awards and award amount may vary.
Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at University of West Georgia: Students must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and volunteer at the Bowdon Area United Christian Ministries (BAUCM) service center for a minimum of 200 hours per semester. Preference given to Carroll County, Georgia residents. Award amount may vary.
Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the University of West Georgia: Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Number of awards and award amount may vary.
I.S. Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the University of West Georgia: Students must demonstrate academic achievement. Number of awards and award amount may vary.
Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the University of West Georgia: Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Number of awards and award amount may vary.
Mr. and Mrs. Murray M. Scholarship: This scholarship provides four years of funding for an incoming freshman. The amount of the award is $7,188 per year.

Utilizing Outside Scholarships

Students can supplement their financial aid package at West Georgia with outside scholarships. These are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from the college.

Academic Considerations

UWG requires applicants to submit a standardized test score, such as the SAT, ACT, or CLT. While academic performance is crucial, it's worth noting that 43% of students who start at the University of West Georgia finish their degree within six years of enrolling, which is 15% less than the national median.

Financial Outcomes

The median income of students 10 years after starting at the University of West Georgia is $49,587. Graduates take out a median of $23,970 in federal student loans, which is $10,470 more than the national median.

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