Fast Start Academy: [alert] Moved to Fall 2020 Due to covid-19

The fall 2020 Fast Start Academy is currently at capacity and is not accepting applications at this time. Thank you for your understanding!

Pictures of previous Fast Start Academy Students during the program. One is a small group picture taken with Miss Reagan. The other is a former student posing with Cocky, JSU's Mascot

Fast Start Academy FAQ’s Related to covid-19

Fast Start Academy has been moved from a summer program offering to the Fall. Courses will begin on August 18th but students will be expected on campus August
10th

Students are notified by the Office of Admissions if they qualify to apply for the program. Once you receive that notification, you will need to complete the following:

  • Once you have applied to Jacksonville State University and receive your Fast Start Academy eligibility letter from the JSU Office of Admissions you can apply to the Fast Start Academy.
  • Compose a 300-400 word essay that answers the following: Why do I want to attend Fast Start Academy? (Describe how you would benefit from attending this program.
  • Request a letter of recommendation from one of your academic teachers who taught you in the classroom during the 11th or 12th grade. The letter should focus on your potential to succeed in this academic program.
  • Pay your $100 non-refundable deposit at the end of the Fast Start Academy application.

Fast Start students living on campus will be required to move in on August 10th. Students will live in whichever freshman residence hall they are placed in.

Fast Start Academy students are strongly encouraged to live on campus even if they qualify for an exemption. You can apply for housing at www.jsu.edu/housing and use your MyJSU information to log-in to the application portal. There is no housing application fee for fast start students, but you must select the “Fast Start Academy”
housing application to be able to avoid the fee.

Orientation for Fast Start Academy is August 11th. Information on how to register will be provided at a later date once all Summer sessions are finalized.

All fast start academy students will be required to enroll in 13 credit hours in the Fall 2020 semester. The courses include a math course (depending on your major),
English 100, English 141 (Oral Communications), Learning Skills 104, Student Orientation 101, a Fast Start Academy Lab, and a Reading Lab. All courses are
credit-bearing and successful completion will allow students to continue as JSU students in the Spring. During Spring Semester 2021 students will continue in a
cohort model with required courses and continued learning support.

Reach out to our Program Director, Mary Reagan at faststart@jsu.edu 

Fall 2020 Program Summary:

Fast Start Academy (FSA) has traditionally been a summer bridge program designed to transition students from high school to college.  However, due to the response of the covid-19 epidemic we have temporarily moved this program to Fall 2020.  Students who are accepted into this program will be required to take a set criteria of courses.  They will also participate in an intensive FSA staff and student peer mentoring program that is provided through the academy to further increase the potential for academic success.  FSA is specifically designed to ensure that our students will be provided with the most effective tools, resources, and strategies to become as successful as possible throughout their college experience.

How do I apply for Fast Start Academy?

  • Step 1:  Apply to Jacksonville State University
  • Step 2:  Type a 300-400 word essay that answers the following question:  Why do I want to attend Fast Start Academy? (Describe how you would benefit from attending this program). **
  • Step 3:  Request a letter of recommendation from one of your academic teachers who taught you in the classroom during the 11th or 12th grade.  The letter should focus on your potential to succeed in this academic program.**
  • Step 4:  Once your application to Jacksonville State University has been processed and your test scores have been evaluated, you will be able to apply to Fast Start Academy  (This link takes you to our application located at the bottom of this page).
  • Step 5:  Pay your $100 non-refundable deposit at the end of the Fast Start Academy application.

** All documents required by steps 2 and 3 may be emailed to faststart@jsu.edu or mailed to:

    700 Pelham Road North Jacksonville, AL 36265 Attn: Fast Start Academy, Houston Cole Library.


Want to learn more?
  • You may contact us by email:  faststart@jsu.edu or by phone: 256-782-5783 for further questions.

(Note: Do not complete this application until you have applied to JSU through the Office of Admissions and received a letter or email that states the conditions of your acceptance. All of the required steps mentioned above must be completed before your FastStart Academy application will be processed.) 

Fast Start Academy Application: