by Julie Lineback
Determined young Cowetans will have an opportunity to enroll at the University of West Georgia before even graduating high school, thanks to UWG’s Go West Early (GWE) expansion into Coweta County. This unique program, which starts in Fall 2024, offers dual enrollment courses that count toward high school graduation and official college transcripts.
“This is an amazing opportunity that allows Go West Early Scholars to shorten the time to complete their college degree by as much as a year,” said Kimberly Scranage, UWG’s vice president of strategic enrollment management. “In turn, students can use that flexibility to graduate college sooner, study abroad and strengthen their resumes through experiential learning opportunities like internships.”
The program is free, allowing students to save more than $18,000 in tuition, textbooks and fees. Classes will be held at UWG Newnan, and transportation will be provided to and from the area high schools.
“Dual enrollment within an actual university setting is an amazing opportunity for high school students, and it is one of the best values available for the families of students who go on to attend college,” said Coweta County School System Superintendent Dr. Evan Horton. “Our community is fortunate to have an institution like the University of West Georgia with such a strong local presence, and we are excited to partner more closely with them to provide our students with these opportunities.”
The GWE program is designed to connect students to high-demand, high-salary careers. Classes available in the program include English, U.S. history, college algebra and precalculus, public speaking, and psychology.
UWG is waiving test score requirements for 11th- and 12th-grade dual enrollment applicants with an academic GPA of 3.0 or higher, which is the minimum acceptable GPA in the program. The application deadline for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 academic year is May 1.
“Dual enrollment at UWG offers high school students – including all four of my own children – a transformative opportunity to not only accelerate their academic journey but also to cultivate essential skills and confidence for success in higher education and beyond,” added Dr. Jon Preston, UWG’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Embracing this pathway enriches students’ learning experiences, fosters intellectual curiosity and bridges the gap between secondary and postsecondary education, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.”
For more information and to apply, please visit the Coweta Go West Early website.
