Highlander Scholars Program

Program Description

Transform your potential into opportunity through the Highlander Scholars Program.

The Highlander Scholars Program (HSP) is a competitive partnership between Gordon State College (GSC) and Georgia Tech (GT) that provides a transfer pathway for exceptional students pursuing degrees in engineering.

This prestigious program offers preferred admission—not guaranteed admission—to Georgia Tech upon successful completion of all program requirements at Gordon State College.

💡 Begin your engineering journey at GSC—and launch your future at Georgia Tech.

A Fully Funded Opportunity

All costs related to participation—including tuition, fees, housing, meals, and textbooks—are covered by the HSP scholarship, making this one of the most comprehensive and competitive opportunities in the state.

Funding Details:

  • HSP funds are applied after all other awards (such as Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and other need-based aid).

  • Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need.

  • Scholarship funding covers two Fall semesters, two Spring semesters, and the Summer Bridge Program.

🎓 Your focus stays on learning—because your costs are covered.

Program Overview

The Highlander Scholars Program is designed for first-time college students with strong academic potential and a passion for engineering.

Students complete a two-year curriculum at Gordon State College before applying to transfer into Georgia Tech’s engineering programs.

Unlike the Regents Engineering Pathway (REP), the Highlander Scholars Program includes:

  • Comprehensive scholarship funding

  • A Summer Bridge experience

  • A required on-campus Living-Learning Community

  • A small, supportive cohort of 14 Scholars

  • Personalized advising and academic guidance

⚙️ This program is designed to give you structure, support, and a direct route to success.

Program Highlights

1. Summer Bridge Program

Participation begins with the Summer Bridge Program during Term B of Summer 2026, where Scholars will enroll in:

  • FIRE 1000 – First-Year Experience Seminar

  • POLS 1101 – American Government

This program helps students transition to college life, build academic skills, and form meaningful connections with peers and faculty.

🌟 Start your journey early, learn together, and hit the ground running.

2. Residential Requirement

All Highlander Scholars are required to live on campus for the duration of their participation in the program.

Students will join the Engineering/HSP Living-Learning Community, which encourages academic collaboration, peer support, and leadership development.

🏠 Your residence hall becomes your community of learners, innovators, and future engineers.

3. Cohort Model

  • Each year, only 14 students are accepted into the HSP cohort—ensuring personalized attention and lifelong friendships.

  • The application deadline for the Summer 2026 cohort is April 30, 2026.

👥 A small cohort means big opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

4. Academic Requirements

To be eligible and remain in good standing, HSP participants must:

  • Be a first-time freshman at Gordon State College with fewer than 30 earned credit hours (preferably fewer than 15).

  • Hold a minimum 3.0 high school GPA for consideration.

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA at GSC to retain program funding.

  • Follow the prescribed program map and stay on cohort timeline.

  • Pass all courses each semester to remain in good standing.

To earn preferred admission to Georgia Tech, Scholars must:

  • Hold a minimum overall GPA of 3.5, and

  • Successfully complete all program requirements, including earning an Associate of Science in Engineering from Gordon State College.

📘 Academic discipline and consistency are your keys to transfer success.

5. Leadership Through Service: Second-Year Tutoring

In their second year, Highlander Scholars serve as peer tutors in the Student Success Center, giving back to the GSC community while strengthening their own academic skills.

Tutoring Expectations:

  • 5 hours per week of tutoring in math, science, or other academic subjects.

  • Opportunities to build leadership, communication, and mentorship skills.

  • A chance to add valuable résumé experience before transferring to a four-year engineering program.

🤝 Helping others succeed is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a Scholar and future engineer.

6. Eligibility and Selection Preferences

Admission is contingent on available funding, space, and eligibility.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

  • Demonstrate financial need; and

  • Reside in one of the following Georgia counties:
    Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, Twiggs, Upson, or Walton.

  • You must attend New Student Orientation prior to the start of the Summer Bridge part of the program.

📍 Preference for regional students ensures local talent has a direct path to Georgia Tech.

Why Choose the Highlander Scholars Program?

  • Fully funded education covering tuition, fees, housing, meals, and textbooks

  • Personalized academic advising and success coaching

  • A small, collaborative cohort of 14 Scholars

  • Hands-on learning and professional field experiences

  • A pathway to Georgia Tech’s world-class engineering programs

🌟 Join a program where talent meets opportunity—and every Scholar has the tools to thrive.

Important Dates

📅 Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
☀️ Summer Bridge Program: Term B, Summer 2026

Contact Information

For more information about the Highlander Scholars Program, please contact:

Program Advisor
Ms. Sarah Jones / sarahj@gordonstate.edu

Program Coordinator
Dr. Marwan Zabdawi / mzabdawi@gordonstate.edu

Important Links