New Student Transitions & First Year Experience | Guarantee Scholars Program | Program Benefits

Program Benefits

The Guarantee Scholars Program is a 4-year, cohort-based experience at UNCG designed to help students thrive—personally academically, and professionally. Guarantee Scholars (GS) receive:  

Below is a breakdown of what GS can look forward to during their 4 years at UNCG.      

In partnership with UNCG Financial Aid Office, GSP offers each GS a specialized financial aid package designed to minimize or eliminate the cost to attend UNCG. The specialized financial aid package covers up to the full estimated Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes:  

  • Tuition and fees  
  • Housing   
  • Meal plan  

In addition to covering the estimated cost of attendance, the specialized financial aid package includes:  

  • $3,500 in subsidized loans-optional  
  • Up to $1,000 in Federal Work Study (FWS)-optional   

From their first year and beyond, GS receive individualized support that is tailored to their evolving student needs.

First Year Scholars 

GSP Cohort Captains (CCs) 

Each first-year GS is paired with a GSP Cohort Captain (CC)—a current GS who is passionate about helping first year students transition successfully to college through mentorship and peer support. GSP CCs are required to attend skill-development sessions once a month, facilitated by the GSP Graduate Assistant (GA). These sessions cover topics like effective communication, leadership, and mentorship strategies, giving GSP CCs the tools they need to support and guide their mentees effectively. 

GSP Graduate Assistant (GA) 

The GSP GA plays a key leadership role in advancing the program’s support for first-year GS. The GSP GA primary responsibility include:  

  • Supervising the GSP CCs. 
  • Facilitating monthly training sessions in areas covering topics like effective communication, leadership, and mentorship strategies.  
  • Meeting bi-weekly with each Cohort Captain (every other week) providing guidance and campus resources that are tailored to their mentees’ needs.   

Beyond a Scholars’ First Year  

After their first year, GS continue to receive individualized guidance. Each GS is asked to meet the Assistant Director 2x per semester to:  

  • Reflect on and analyze their personal strengths and areas for growth.  
  • Make intentional decisions that support their academic, personal, and professional goals.  
  • Review and learn from past semester experience to guide future academic planning.   

Starfish:

Starfish  is UNCG’s Early Alert, a student-success platform that helps students maintain good communication with course instructors, advisors, and other faculty and staff to support their academic success. GSP Staff receive weekly updates from Starfish on each GS academic progress, allowing us to identify those who may need additional support and connect them with the most appropriate campus resources to help them stay on track.   

Cohort Workshops:

All GS are required to actively engage in monthly Cohort Workshops, designed to help them develop skills in leadership, career and academic development, wellness, resilience, and scholarly engagement. As GS progress from their first to fourth year, the Cohort Workshops shift in focus from developing foundational skills to applying those skills through participating in student leadership opportunities (e.g. GSP Cohort Captain, Student Orientation Staff (SOS), etc.).     

GSP Study Hall:

GSP Study Halls run throughout the academic year to give GS a productive space to work on assignments, study exams, and connect with peers across cohorts. Light snacks and drinks are provided during each session and are monitored primarily by the GSP Cohort Captains. 

GSP Events:

GSP hosts monthly events to provide scholars an opportunity to connect and socialize with peers as part of the program. These events (based on scholar feedback) are designed to foster a sense of belonging. Past events range from trivia nights and jewelry making to pumpkin painting and movie nights.   

Guarantee Hub  

The Guarantee Hub is a welcoming, collaborative space where scholars can receive support from GSP Staff, check out school supplies (e.g. paper, binders, pencils, etc.), and connect with peers across cohorts. Open throughout the week, it features workstations, comfortable seating, and resources like whiteboards and chargers. GSP Staff monitor the Guarantee Hub to provide peer mentorship and assist scholars interested in checking out school supplies.    

Free GSP Printing Services  

GS have access to free printing services through GSP, available Monday-Friday during regular office hours (8:00 AM-5:00 PM). 

Please note: These printing services are offered through the GSP and are sepera5te from campus printing services (e.g. Jackson Library, etc.).  

UNCG Graduate School Application Fee Waiver  

GS who are planning to apply to UNCG for Graduate School for any program at UNCG are eligible for an application waiver.    

Please note: The application fee waiver applies to UNCG Graduate School programs only.  

Free Spartan Card Replacement

GS who loses their Spartan Card at any point during their 4 years at UNCG are eligible for a free replacement.  

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