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Attracting More Students Awarding Life-Changing Scholarships

The biggest challenge Middle Georgia State faced as we became a Our mission at Middle Georgia State is transformation. For first-
university was declining enrollment. generation college students, a degree changes a family’s trajectory.

From Fall 2011 through Fall 2015, our headcount dropped steadily Yet, even with the lowest tuition in the state university sector, some
from 9,126 to 7,676 students. of our students cannot afford a baccalaureate degree. That is where our
philanthropic partners step in and help us change lives through the
In Spring 2016, we began to turn that around with our first Middle Georgia State University Foundation.
enrollment increase in five years. This Fall, we built on that success,
not only meeting our goal of flat enrollment but exceeding it. Attracting Tiffany Souther knew she wanted to
7,714 students from 16 countries, 29 states, and 144 Georgia counties pursue a career in clinical psychology
resulted in a 0.5% enrollment increase over last fall. with an emphasis on autism and other
psychological disorders. As a single
We defied national trends in reduced college enrollment, which were $356,852 mother of two, she understood
particularly acute in Georgia at institutions south of metro Atlanta. first-hand the huge demand in this
These results mean that for the first time in years, the most affordable in scholarships field after waiting a year to have her
university in Georgia will not have to weather another cut in state awarded by the own child evaluated and diagnosed
appropriations next year or the one to follow. with autism. In addition to her family
MGA Foundation responsibilities, she worked full time
Moreover, this Freshman Index while maintaining a full academic load.
year’s incoming 2484 in 2015-16
class boasted our
highest-ever average 2500 2392 Last November, Souther found herself at a crossroads. The
Freshman Index 2450 courses required to complete her degree clashed with her ability to
score, which was up 2400 work full time and care for her children. She knew she would have
by 92 points—on 2350 to either quit her job or quit school.
average 12 points on 2300
the SAT Verbal, 8 With a Middle Georgia
points on the SAT State University Foundation
Math. This resulted in scholarship supported by
24 percent fewer the Georgia Wine & Spirits
traditional freshmen Foundation, Souther was
at MGA requiring able to quit her full-time job
learning support. and focus on her studies.
Souther is on track to
Fall Fall graduate with a 4.0 GPA in
2015 2016 Spring 2017.

Freshman Index = GPA + SAT or ACT 2015-16 MGA Foundation Scholarship recipients,
including Ti any Souther (bottom right)