For the third year in a row, Union College will offer the Bridge to Success summer program on Union’s campus. Bridge to Success gives incoming freshmen a chance to live on campus for two weeks during the summer, get to know peers and professors, and learn skills that will help them succeed in the fall semester and beyond. Students receive a $100 book scholarship, a 3-hr course credit, all meals, housing, and off-campus activities as part of the program, all free of charge.

Bridge to Success is part of a Kentucky-wide “summer bridge” initiative aimed at improving college preparation and retention, and thus, graduation rates. Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), says, “A smooth transition into college is key to setting up students for success for the rest of their college career.”

Union’s Bridge to Success will be held Sunday, July 30 – Tuesday, August 15, 2023. All students planning to begin as first-time freshmen in the fall semester are welcome to fill out the simple online application, which takes just a few minutes to complete. The application deadline is June 30, but space is limited, so students who wish to attend are encouraged to apply early.

There is no cost to students. The summer bridge initiative is funded by American Rescue Plan funds provided to CPE by the Kentucky Department of Education. Union won a $50,000 grant from CPE to help pay for the program.

Thompson says, “Providing the supports students need, both inside and outside of the classroom, during this critical time will help ensure they are integrated into the campus community and make it to graduation.”

Incoming freshmen who want to take this free opportunity to get a head start on their college career should apply here:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ma0hfKA1hUu7KwzuybnNo4DoRloaBJBLovNT5ck2N9BUQkdYMk5ESFdXMURPN1NMTVpJNUxXTjNFMi4u