Augusta, GA
Augusta University tuition, housing and meal plans to increase
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University students will pay more for tuition, housing and meal plans.
The increases apply to both full-time and part-time students.
Georgia’s first need-based scholarship will become available and could help ease the burden for families.
Esperanza Lorenzo Martinez, a junior kinesiology major and first-generation student, said costs add up beyond tuition.
“It’ll still add up, especially like there’s so many things that they add on situation costs, like the lab fees and like, it might be maybe like $30, but you add that with maybe you’re taking like 5, six classes, then that adds up to maybe like 300, $400,” Martinez said.
Kyle Parsons, director of student financial aid and scholarships, said students have different paths depending on what aid they qualify for.
“For many students, that path is going to look different depending on what types of aid they may qualify for, whether that’s a need-based source of fund, a scholarship, or a state or federal grant,” Parsons said. “One of the biggest opportunities is for students to qualify for the Hope Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship.”
Rihanna McGahee, a senior communications major, said scholarships can help with tuition but the balance shifts.
“Even though we have scholarships that we can apply for, it can be used for tuition, but we could also lose money while gaining money at the same time,” McGahee said.
Omariaon Butts, a criminal justice major and intern with Augusta University Police Department, said the increase could affect students without scholarships.
“I think I would be more concerned for the ones who didn’t and they had to pull out a bunch of loans or maybe pay out of pocket and now it’s got to be extra,” Butts said.
Parsons said the university wants to help students navigate the increases.
“We want to make sure that they understand that there is a path forward, that just because something increases doesn’t mean that we can’t help offset that somewhere else,” Parsons said. “We want to make sure that students are set up for success, that they’re in a position to be able to focus on their academics and not on the financial barriers that stand in front of them.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Construction continues on the James Brown Linear Park in downtown Augusta, with ceiling tiles now installed inside the park structures.
The tiles feature designs showcasing the Godfather of Soul from different years in his career.
According to the city, the completed park will include an interactive water feature that will “dance” to Brown’s greatest hits. A statue of the music icon will return to a new stage at the park.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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