The G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program

A Debt-Free Degree for Georgia Families Who Need it Most

The G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program is the first of its kind offered by a public university in Georgia. It provides a debt-free degree to qualifying students from low-income Georgia families, filling a gap in the financial aid support system by picking up where other scholarships and financial aid options leave off, covering a student’s full cost of attendance.

Awards from the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program will be combined with other scholarships, grants, and a Federal Work Study job opportunity to meet the student's financial need associated with the cost of full-time resident tuition, mandatory fees, an allowance for books, standard housing, personal expenses, and meal plan.

Program Background

From its inception, the Georgia Institute of Technology has had a tradition of providing access to financially disadvantaged students, beginning first with low tuition and fee charges, coupled with available scholarships, student loans, and the nation's largest voluntary co-op program. Because of these programs, Georgia Tech has opened the doors of opportunity for many students — some who were first-generation college graduates.

Although Georgia Tech is recognized as one of the nation's best buys in higher education, the cost of pursuing such an education remains one of the major expenses a family faces.

For eligible students, awards from the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program will be combined with other scholarships, grants, and a Federal Work Study job opportunity to meet the student's financial need associated with the cost of full-time resident tuition, mandatory fees, an allowance for books, standard housing, personal expenses, and meal plan.

The bottom line is, we believe that Georgia students from all economic backgrounds should have the opportunity to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. The G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program was created to help Georgia families who need it most.

Application Process

Students must complete the standard financial aid application process by January 31 (preceding the start of the student's first year) to be considered for Tech Promise. Late financial aid applications are not accepted, and no separate application is required. Tech Promise candidates may be asked to provide verification of family financial information including, but not limited to, what is listed on the FAFSA. Students qualified to participate in the Tech Promise Program will be selected from on-time applicants.

Students are selected for Tech Promise in advance of their first semester attending Georgia Tech as an entering first-year student. Scholarships are limited to 75 eligible first-year students for the 2023-24 academic year.

Application Steps

Selection Process and Program Eligibility

Potential applicants are selected and reviewed by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. A comprehensive evaluation including, but not limited to, the factors below are completed for each applicant:

  • Legal resident of the state of Georgia.

  • Graduate from an accredited Georgia high school.

  • Enter as a first time, first-year student.

  • Submit a complete financial aid application each academic year by the required deadline.

  • Meet citizenship requirements and other eligibility standards for Federal financial aid programs.

  • Enter with documented eligibility for either the Georgia HOPE or Zell Miller scholarship.

  • Dependent students whose parents:

    • Are both classified as legal residents of Georgia and filed Georgia tax returns for the FAFSA base year and, if requested, for the most recent and all subsequent years.

    • Have less than $55,500 in total combined annual income, assets, financial resources, and monetary/financial/in-kind support.

    • Filed a U.S. tax return for the FAFSA base year and, if requested, for the most recent and all subsequent years (all schedules and attachments associated with each year’s tax return are also required).

The comprehensive evaluation includes an assessment of all family income, assets, and resources. Financial information will be required from both parents, regardless of current marital status. If requested, tax and income documentation will be required from multiple tax years.

During the review, families may be asked to provide statements and copies of supporting documentation listing all sources of untaxed and/or unearned income, gifts, and/or resources of support from any/all sources.

Documentation is expected to be complete and determined to be a reasonable representation of the family’s financial strength. Incomplete applications and/or applications with unreasonable information will not be considered.

Eligibility is limited to the first eight (8) semesters of full-time enrollment. In order to maintain Tech Promise, students must:

  • Continue to meet the program requirements as listed under the comprehensive review process each year

  • Achieve and maintain a minimum 2.0 semester grade-point average (out of a possible 4.0)

  • Be in good standing with the Institute.

  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

As a Tech Promise recipient, there are a number of enrichment events and activities in which you are either expected or highly encouraged to participate. These events and activities provide opportunities for you to become acclimated to campus life, as well as create and cultivate networking opportunities that will benefit you beyond Georgia Tech.

Student Stories

Student Stories

Meet some of our Tech Promise Scholars and hear their success stories.

Meet Scholars