Student bumping knuckles with HJ

What you need to know about Brenau

As you gear up for an exciting new chapter in your life, we want to help you feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead. We’ve put together some important information for you to consider as you apply to Brenau. Before you start running through your checklist, we encourage you to give these items a look!

Managing costs

We understand the cost of college can be overwhelming, and we want to help you understand a few of your options. With the help of our financial aid counselors, you’ll learn what financial assistance you’re eligible for, so that you and your family can make sound financial decisions and build the future you’ve always wanted.

Types of Financial Aid:

  • Institutional Aid
    • Scholarships and grants provided by Brenau
  • State Aid
    • Scholarships, grants and loans
  • Federal Aid
    • Grants, loans, and work-study programs
  • Private Scholarships
    • Scholarships offered by outside organizations not affiliated with Brenau

Did you know?

90% of Brenau undergraduate students received some form of financial assistance 

2021-2022 academic year

Visit Brenau’s Tuition and Financial Aid page to apply for financial aid and learn more about your options.

Interested to see how much your education might cost?

Check out our Net Price Calculator, which assists undergraduate, first-time freshmen and transfer students. Based on the information you enter, this calculator will provide a preliminary estimate of your eligibility for most federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. By knowing what type of aid you may qualify for, you’ll have a better idea of your out-of-pocket costs.

Campus Safety & Security

Campus Safety & Security staff works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable whenever you’re on campus. Whether you need a vehicle battery jump or a safety escort, our on-duty officers are here to help, so you can focus on your studies and enjoying college life.

Campus safety alerts

Stay informed on your campus’ safety, inclement weather and emergency procedures by signing up for Brenau’s e2campus safety alerts. Both students and their parents can sign up for these alerts at https://brenau.omnilert.net/.

Learn more about security

Choosing your Major

We get it, choosing a major is a huge deal and can be a bit overwhelming if you’re still figuring out your interests. Brenau offers 36 different undergraduate majors, so you have plenty of options to help you pursue the career of your dreams.

Studio Art Program Director Claudia Wilburn talks to interior design student Carmen Garcia-Pitarch Lopez. Both programs are part of the Center for the Arts & Design at Brenau University.

Here are a few tips to help you choose your major:

  • Make an appointment with your school’s counselor to discuss your future
  • Search online career sites for job descriptions in areas of interest
  • Take a career aptitude test
  • Research the educational requirements for jobs that interest you
  • If you don’t have it all figured out when you start college, that’s ok! Take some core classes, have new experiences and learn what interests you. This will help you find the right major for you.

Living on campus

When you live on Brenau’s Gainesville campus, you’ll live and learn among a diverse group of open-minded and dedicated peers. You’ll study together, make memories outside the classroom and create lifelong friendships. And, before you know it, Brenau will become your home.

Brenau offers university apartments and single-gender residence halls for women, men and non-binary students. Upperclassmen in Greek life can live in their sorority houses. Each building has free Wi-fi access.

Learn more about living on campus

Dining options on campus

The Hopkins Dining HallHopkins Dining Hall features meal plans for purchase, or you may pay at each visit. The dining hall provides seven stations, which include Italian cuisine, comfort food, international dishes, dessert and salad.

Hopkins Dining Hall

The Tea RoomThe Tea Room, located in Sorority Circle, contains Brewed Awakenings, a coffee shop with Starbucks options; P.O.D. Market, a general store with food and school supplies; and Burgers + Fries, which serves burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, vegetarian options and other hot items.

Hopkins Dining Hall

Student life

Whether you’re an on-ground or online student, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in Brenau’s student life. While you’re here, we encourage you to join a club or organization and meet other students through our on-campus events. There’s always something going on at our historic Gainesville campus, including theatre and dance performances, cultural festivals, organization fairs and more. Brenau has a club for lots of different interests and hobbies, including gardening, fashion, art and design, anime, community service and more. And, if you can’t find the perfect club for you, we can help you create one!

Learn more about Student Life

Things to do around Gainesville

Just a few blocks away from Brenau’s main campus, lies the Gainesville square, the city’s hub for local shops, restaurants, art and entertainment. During the warmer months, there’s usually some sort of free concert, festival or event happening on the square. And, if you’re itching to explore a larger city, Atlanta is only an hour south of Gainesville.

A few of our favorite restaurants you can walk to:

  • Alpha Gyro Grill
  • Vicky’s Tacos
  • Sweet Magnolia’s Cafe and Bakery
  • 2 Dog
  • Zen Ramen and Sushi Burrito
  • Atlas Pizza
  • Taqueria Tsunami
  • Collegiate Grill
Gainesville Downtown Square

If you’re more drawn to the outdoors, there are plenty of local and state parks both in Gainesville and the surrounding area. You can find waterfalls and mountainous views within an hour from town, and also spaces around Lake Lanier for canoeing and kayaking.

A few of our favorite spots to enjoy nature:

  • Lake Lanier Olympic Park (9 min)
  • Elachee Nature Science Center (17 min)
  • Don Carter State Park (18 min)
  • Smithgall Woods State Park (44 min)
  • Amicalola Falls (48 min)
  • Raven Cliff Falls (49 min)
The rowing tower at the Olympic Village on the banks of Lake Lanier.

Staying healthy on campus

Keeping up a healthy routine can be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule packed with classes and extracurricular activities. Luckily for you, Brenau makes it easier for you to stay active and eat a balanced diet.

A few of the health services we offer:

  • Vegan, vegetarian and other diverse options available in the dining hall
  • A fully-equipped fitness center with a gym and indoor pool
  • The Center for Health and Well-being, which offers…
    • Free examinations by our clinical staff when ill or injured
    • Confidential and free counseling services for individuals and groups

Study and career services

College classes can be overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, we got you covered. Every Brenay student is able to receive free tutoring at our Center for Academic Success. Additionally, Brenau offers many other resources to help you succeed, including research assistance, writing help, and disability accommodations. Also, did we mention free tutoring!?

Some of Brenau’s support services include:

The Center for Academic Success offers tutoring services to all Brenau students regardless of degree level or program, with student, professional and faculty tutors available across most subject areas of the university.

The Writing Center offers free peer review for all written and oral communication projects at any stage of the process. Tutors are trained to support writers regardless of discipline and can help with everything, from brainstorming to APA and MLA formatting.

The Office of Accessibility services provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities, offering a quiet, reduced distraction environment for qualified students to take tests and final exams.

Whether you’re looking to get a jumpstart on landing a career after college or want to find a job while you’re still in school, Brenau’s Career Services is here to assist you. Our team offers career planning, resume and cover letter critiques, mock interviews and more.

If you’re stuck on a research paper, or just looking to learn more about a particular subject, reach out to the Trustee Library. Brenau’s friendly librarians will assist with finding sources, including online articles and books, for your classes and assignments.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. For more information on how this applies to you, visit studentprivacy.ed.gov/training/student-privacy-101.

Title IX

Brenau University is committed to maintaining an environment free from all forms of discrimination. As a recipient of federal funds, the university complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination from any educational program or activity on the basis of sex, gender identity, failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity or actual or perceived sexual orientation. Brenau University recognizes sexual misconduct and/or harassment may create an environment of discrimination and has created the following policy to define, educate and address issues relating to sexual discrimination.

Learn more on our Title IX page or contact our Title IX coordinator, Emily Zank at TitleIX@brenau.edu or 770-534-6191.