UGA launches fundraising initiative to further bolster scholarships
The University of Georgia is rallying the Bulldog Nation to support a scholarship initiative designed to attract top students to UGA and expand access to higher education — opening doors, fueling potential and delivering on the university’s mission to serve the state.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to recruit, support and invest in top students while reducing overall student loan debt, with an emphasis on four-year scholarships. Within each UGA school or college, donors will have the opportunity to support funds in the following areas: need-based, merit-based, graduate/professional and experiential learning scholarships.
Building on the continued success of growing the number of need-based scholarships, now totaling more than 1,065 endowments, UGA has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence and affordability by setting an initial fundraising goal of $75 million. In doing so, the university aims to strengthen its competitive standing among the very best public research universities.
“As Georgia’s flagship institution, we have a responsibility to ensure that future generations can experience the remarkable benefits of a UGA education,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “By supporting this transformational scholarship initiative, donors are giving more students access to our unparalleled learning environment. I am incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our loyal alumni and friends, as well as the ongoing support of the UGA Foundation.”
The UGA Foundation’s investment of $19 million in matching funds for new scholarships reflects a continued focus on expanding support at every level of the university and demonstrates a shared dedication to ensuring that the best and brightest students can aspire to a University of Georgia education.
“The UGA Foundation is thrilled to provide matching funds to support the creation of new scholarships, an investment that strongly reinforces our mission as a land-grant and sea-grant university and will amplify the generosity of every donor,” said Howard Young, chair of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees.
As the higher education landscape grows increasingly competitive, UGA remains committed to recruiting, educating and graduating students while actively working to reduce student debt across all income levels. Recognized for more than a decade among U.S. News & World Report’s top 20 public universities and consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best values in public higher education, UGA continues to prioritize its long-standing dedication to broadening educational opportunity and delivering exceptional value to its graduates.
Even with the transformative impact of the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships on affordability for in-state residents, a gap often remains between covered tuition and the full cost of attendance. On average, 30% of UGA undergraduate students graduate with an average student loan debt of $19,000, regardless of circumstance or background. By prioritizing scholarship support, the university seeks to meet the varying levels of student need across the state now and far into the future.
“As one of the nation’s most comprehensive public universities, the University of Georgia consistently attracts exceptional students from across the state and nation,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “This scholarship initiative will ensure that UGA remains a tremendous value while also attracting and rewarding students who demonstrate academic excellence.”
This initiative reflects UGA’s commitment to reach those who dream of attending UGA and make them alumni. By providing greater resources and stronger incentives for students to choose a UGA education, the university aims to foster an environment where every student feels inspired to make UGA their home, today and for generations to come.
