A record class of 118 first-years arrived at Georgia Tech this fall with something most American freshmen do not have: a path to graduate without debt. They are the newest scholars of the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Program, built for high-achieving Georgia students from limited-income homes, and this year’s cohort is the largest in the program’s history.
For families watching tuition bills climb, the model is straightforward. Tech Promise pairs the money with people: dedicated support staff, older scholars who serve as mentors and ambassadors, and faculty guides who walk students through the transition to college life.
“What began nearly 20 years ago, spearheaded by multiple offices across the Institute as an effort to expand access to Georgia Tech, has grown into a close-knit community of scholars with a network of thoughtful campus support,” said Chaffee Viets, who runs the Office of Scholar Programs. “Through the foundational work and continued support of campus partners and donors, we have made this program a space where students can truly thrive, and we’re excited to welcome more students than ever before.”
Three new faculty guides join this cohort: Gerandy Brito, Andy McNeil, and Emily Weigel, alongside existing guides including Daniel Amsterdam and Kate Williams. Weigel’s presence closes a loop. An inaugural scholar herself when the program launched in 2007, she is now the first program graduate to come back as faculty.
The calendar has already started. Scholars were welcomed on Aug. 12 with an orientation, and in late September the group spent a weekend at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center on retreat, mixing professional development with team building.
One of the new scholars shows how far the program reaches into ordinary corners of the state. Fox Sharp comes from Fannin County, Georgia, majoring in arts, entertainment, and creative technologies within the College of Design. She hopes to build a career in sports media design, a goal born of shooting photography and video for her high school athletics teams. She led the art club as president, headed her school’s Technology Student Association, captained the academic team, tried mock trial and worked multiple jobs on the side.
“My major leaves the doors open to other fields, and the location of Tech couldn’t be any better,” Sharp said. “The Hawks, the Falcons, and the Braves are all nearby. And of course, all of the teams here on campus.”
Paying for it all was the looming stressor, and her plan had been to apply for every scholarship she could find. Then the email arrived mid-class. “I remember getting the email while in class, and seeing my bill pretty much knocked out,” she recalled. She texted her mother, who told her it was a big deal and researched the program herself. Believing it got easier, Sharp said, once she was on campus and meeting people in the same boat.
For the next round of Georgia families: every in-state first-year applicant is considered automatically for Tech Promise based on financial aid eligibility. Early Action 1, the round reserved for Georgia residents, closes Oct. 15. Regular Decision closes Jan. 6, 2027, with financial aid forms due Jan. 31, 2027. Next year marks the program’s 20-year anniversary.
