Cost

Challenge 2024 will be hosted June 22 - August 2, 2024 this year. The Challenge program activity fee is $500.  

The Challenge Program Activity Fee will begin to appear in your BuzzPort later this Spring (March). In the interim, your date of program acceptance will be recorded, and your spot reserved (pending payment). Beginning in March, you may begin to “confirm” your spot by way of fee payment. You can expect to see charges posted within 10-14 days of accepting your invitation to join Challenge. A small number of sponsorships are available to cover the program fee for students that demonstrate significant financial need.

The Challenge program activity fee payment deadline is May 1, 2024. In addition to the program activity fee, there are additional costs associated with participation.

Cost Breakdown

Challenge 2024 will be held from June 22 – August 2. The Challenge program activity fee is $500, which covers activities and transportation. Several programmatic costs not included in the activity fee are covered by the program, such as dorm rooms, classrooms, labs, professors, corporate visits, workshops, and more. The Challenge program activity fee has been $500 for nearly 15 years and covers things like field trips and social events. This year, we reviewed the cost and decided to keep the fee at $500 despite an increase in actual program costs to over $3,500 per student. A major consideration in our decision-making was the high correlation between Challenge participation and Fall semester performance. Here at Georgia Tech, the OMED office is committed to student success, and we do not want anyone to miss out on this opportunity due to cost. Take the first step towards your college success and apply to Challenge today!

Payments for Challenge 2024 will be requested on a rolling basis upon acceptance. Students have until May to pay the program fee. Although we encourage payment early to secure your spot. Accepted students must first confirm that they will attend Challenge. Once student's confirmation is received, they will be added to the Challenge roster and able to pay the Challenge fee. * a few sponsorships are available for participants expressing significant financial hardship. 

Challenge program costs covered by the program are:

  • Housing
  • Classroom, Labs, and Professors
  • Campus Recreation Fees
  • Health Fees
  • Workshops
  • Transportation for All Group Events
  • Opening and Closing Events

    There are a few program fee sponsorships available for students that demonstrate sufficient significant financial need. Participants that had difficulty affording the fee, in the past, were encouraged to ask for local scholarships at their relatives’ jobs, places of worship, local businesses, etc. One participant asked around his hometown and in one week he came up with a scholarship of $1,500. He used this money to pay for Challenge, a meal plan, books, and had plenty leftover.

    Scholarships have to be “free” checks that can be used for a program like Challenge since summer program participants are not officially college students yet. There are some scholarships that are just “free” checks and others are directly sent to the university’s financial aid office and counted as academic aid which will not help you with Challenge fees.

    Student cost not covered by the program are:

    • Books and Supplies. The courses for Challenge require that students obtain a math book, calculator, etc. These books and supplies will be the same as the required materials for the fall semester; therefore, students will not have to make additional purchases in the fall. The costs for these supplies have not been released yet. Once we have the official book and supply list, we will update the website. Once the list is obtained, you can go to the Georgia Tech Bookstore website to gain an idea of the actual price. However, you are not required to purchase these items from the GT Bookstore. For more details refer to the logistics email sent to confirmed participants.
    • Also, FASET fees are not covered by Challenge.  Students and parents attending FASET will pay that cost directly to FASET.
    • Additionally, Georgia Tech meal plans are not included in the Challenge program fee.

    Food

    The Challenge program activity fee does not cover the cost of daily meals.  Meal plans range from $50-$500, but you may choose the best option for you. Please note: several program activity and outing meals are provided by the Challenge program. (approximately 10-12 sponsored meals.)  Additionally, there are kitchens available on site for food preparation and students may also utilize food delivery or local restaurants in the area.

    Meal Plan Details & Options

    Food for the Challenge program is NOT included in the program fee. It is up to the student and family to utilize the best option to obtain food. There are several locations to obtain food during the Challenge program. These include dining halls, food courts, and other restaurants located in the Student Center or central campus. Georgia Tech provides transportation to grocery stores once a week. The Georgia Tech Campus Dining Services offers meal plans for summer students including Challenge students.

    You may sign up for a meal plan here. The minimum amount is $50. You will be able to choose from one of the following plans or select No Plan. If you sign up for the meal plan, a charge will appear on your Bursar account. More details about available meal plans and payment options may be found here.

    • Meal Pass 50 (Block of 50 meals)
    • Dining Dollar Only Plan -increments of $50 (up to a maximum $600). Funds do not expire and will roll forward to Fall and Spring Semesters.
    • or a combination of the above (50 meal pass + Dining Dollars in the $50 increment of your choosing)

    Please note: while Challenge does not provide meals each day for participants, there are several meals covered through Challenge at workshops, corporate events, and program activities. Most students find meal plans between $150-$500 best serve their on-campus dining needs during Challenge.  You also have the option of cooking your own meals using the kitchen on each floor, buying meals with a debit/credit card each day, or other dining options. Challenge participants can add more funds to the Plan on their own at any time during Challenge if they feel like they are running out of money on their Plan. 

    The meal plans are completely OPTIONAL.

    Housing

    Challenge participants will be staying in Towers Residence Hall on Georgia Tech’s campus for the duration of the program. Boys and girls will be on separate floors with key access only to their assigned floor. We will not receive individual room assignments from Georgia Tech Housing until early June.  Challenge does not take roommate requests because participants are encouraged to meet and interact with new people to foster the diverse environment and culture we champion. Challenge is a residential program, which means that all participants are required to live in the dorm.

    Housing Details

    Challenge participants will be staying in Towers Residence Hall on Georgia Tech’s campus for the duration of the program. Boys and girls will be on separate floors with key access only to their assigned floor. We will not receive individual room assignments from Georgia Tech Housing until early June. 

    FAQs:

    • What furniture is in my room? What should I bring with me to my room? Please see “Items to Bring.”
    • What are the sizes of the mattresses? Mattresses are twin extra long (Twin XL, 80 inches long).
    • Are microwaves, refrigerators and other appliances allowed in the residence halls? Microwaves using less than 10 amps of power and refrigerators no larger than 4.5 cubic-feet are allowed in the residence halls. Appliances with exposed heating elements are not allowed in the residence halls (e.g. toasters, toaster ovens, space heaters, etc.).

    FASET Orientation

    FASET is an acronym for “Familiarization and Adaptation to the Surroundings and Environs of Tech,” an orientation program for new students, their parents, families, and guests. FASET is a Georgia Tech required orientation for all incoming first-year students. The FASET Orientation is a full one-day program designed to orient students, parents, and guests to the Georgia Tech community. FASET is designed to acclimate new students and their guests to what it means to be a Yellow Jacket. During the session, you will become better acquainted with the academic environment at Tech, the support services available, the rich traditions, and the campus itself. You will receive all of the information and resources to help you make a successful summer transition.

    FASET Details

    The Fall First-Year FASET Orientation program for first-year students and their parents/guests is a full one-day program designed to orient students, parents, and guests to the Georgia Tech community. FASET is designed to acclimate new students and their guests to what it means to be a Yellow Jacket. During the session, you will become better acquainted with the academic environment at Tech, the support services available, the rich traditions, and the campus itself. You will receive all of the information and resources to help you make a successful summer transition. In addition, you'll meet other new Tech students, campus student leaders, faculty, and administrators. You won't want to miss out on FASET. Please email transitionprograms@studentlife.gatech.edu or call 404-894-6897 with questions.

    The FASET website is http://transitionprograms.gatech.edu/​ . 

    When a Challenge student attends FASET, they are expected to participate fully in FASET for the entire time at FASET.

    Your Challenge program fee does NOT cover your FASET fee and vice versa.

    Please note that the HOPE scholarship and other scholarships do not cover the cost of the orientation fee. You do not need to pay for FASET prior to the session you attend. Please visit the Bursars Office Web site for the fee payment calendar.

    IMPORTANT! 
    Medical Records – Finalized Health Information Records must be received and confirmed as received by the Student Health Center prior to your attendance at a FASET session, and are required before a student can register for classes during FASET. If you have not already done so, please return your completed Health Information Record immediately. For more information, visit www.health.gatech.edu, and click on Immunization Requirements, Undergraduate Requirements.

    Challenge Program Director

    For more information about Challenge, contact the program director:

    Jelani Liddell, M.S.Ed.
    Assistant Director, Outreach Initiatives
    OMED: Educational Services
    jelani.liddell@omed.gatech.edu