Admissions

Click on any of the following links for information:

•  
• General Admission Procedures
• Admissions Classifications
  
  • Admissions from high school
  • Transfers from Other Colleges
  • Learning Support Transfer
  • Non-Traditional Adults
  • GED Students
  • Home Schools / Non-Accredited High Schools
  • ACCEL Program
  • Transients
  • International Students
  • Special Students
  • Audit Students
  • Persons 62 Years of Age or Older
• Readmission of Former GSC Students
• Admission to Baccalaureate Degree Programs
• Definition of Legal Residence (or Tuition Purposes)

Please Note

Admission requirements change periodically in response to changes mandated by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents or Gainesville State College. Prospective students are encouraged to submit an application for admission and contact an Admissions Counselor to discuss the admission process.

Gainesville State College operates under the philosophy that all students who desire an education beyond high school and who have demonstrated the ability to take advantage of such an opportunity should have that chance. The College recognizes a need for career preparation as well as the pursuit of two-year and four-year college-level work. The College’s admissions policies reflect this understanding.

Applicants are reviewed on the basis of their qualifications and evaluated with their potential in mind. Gainesville State College complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity institution. Admission and employment are not influenced by race, sex, color, religion, national origin, or handicap.

The Admissions Office is located in the Student Activities Building.

Applicants must complete and submit all required forms and credentials to the College by the established semester deadline. Because the College may find it necessary to stop accepting applications for a specific semester, students are encouraged to apply or update their applications well in advance of the deadline. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. The following items are required of all applicants:

1. Completed application for admission and a non-refundable, one time only application processing fee of $35 with paper application or $25 with on-line application. Applications may be requested from the Admissions Office at the Gainesville Campus, the Administration Building at the Oconee Campus, or online at www.gsc.edu.
2.  
3. Official high school or official GED Scores and/or college transcripts. Documents must be mailed directly from the sending institution to the Admissions Office at the Gainesville Campus. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS OR TEST SCORES MUST BE IN A SEALED ENVELOPE FROM ORIGINATING AGENCY.
    
4. Social Security number. Applications for Social Security numbers may be obtained from any United States Post Office.
    
5. Certificate of Immunization. Certificates may be obtained from the Admissions Office, or a copy may be printed online at www.gsc.edu.

Final acceptance or denial of each applicant is determined by the Director of Admissions, subject to the applicant’s right of appeal as provided by the policies of the College and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance when the application process is completed. Delays in acceptance will occur if application materials are received in several segments and/or if the applicant must be reminded to submit certain documents.

The College reserves the right to rescind admission prior to or following enrollment if the applicant/student becomes ineligible as determined by the standards of the College and/or Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Students with disabilities should be accepted two semesters before their desired semester of enrollment if they need special accommodations. As soon as they have been accepted, they should contact the Office of Disability Services. Please see www.gsc.edu/studev/disability.

An application is valid only for the semester for which it is submitted. Applications submitted by students who do not enroll are retained in an inactive file for a maximum of one year. If, prior to the end of that year, the student wishes to reactivate the application to a future semester, he or she must notify the Admissions Office by the established application deadline. If the student has attended another college in the interim, an official transcript must be sent directly from that college to the Admissions Office at the Gainesville Campus.

Application Fee Waiver - Students with approved application fee waivers may NOT apply online. Contact the Gainesville State College of Admissions at 678-717-3641 for a paper application, or you may download an application from our website at www.gsc.edu.

Admission From High School

Freshmen:

• must request an official transcript of all high school work completed, stating the graduation date, be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Students who are granted acceptance pending graduation must submit another official transcript upon completion of high school graduation requirements.
   
• who passed the General Educational Development (GED) exam must submit official results of the GED test. A student with a GED must be at least 18 years old, or the GED student’s class must have graduated from high school. A passing score on the GED is sufficient for admission. Students who have completed some CPC requirements while enrolled in high school may submit official copies of their high school transcripts for evaluation.

Effective for the entering class of Fall 2005 the following policy is in effect.

• Freshmen must have either a High School Diploma or GED. No exceptions. GED students must be either 18 years old, or the GED student’s class must have graduated from high school. Students who have a Certificate of Performance or a Special Education Diploma are not considered to be high school graduates.
   
• High school students with a college prep diploma must have a minimum 2.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) on academic coursework.
   
• Students with a tech prep diploma must have a minimum 2.2 GPA on academic coursework.
   
• Regardless of the diploma earned in high school and accepted for admission, each student will be evaluated to determine satisfactory completion of the 16 units of the USG College Prep Curriculum (see below).

The following high school courses are minimum requirements for College Prep Curriculum (CPC) completion:

Course (Units)	Instructional Emphasis
English (4)	Grammar and usage
	Literature (American and World)
	Advanced Composition skills
Mathematics (4)	Two courses/units in Algebra (I and II) and one in Geometry
	*Fourth Math must be higher level than Algebra II.
Science (3)	Physical Sciences
	Laboratory Sciences
	Other Approved Sciences
Social Science (3)	American History
	World History
	Economics and Government
Foreign Language (2)	Skill-building courses (units)
Two credits of the same language	Emphasizing speaking, listening, reading and writing.

• Students who have not completed 16 CPC units must take additional courses to make up for the CPC deficiencies (see below).

Area of Deficiency	Prescribed Remediation
English	The student must pass COMPASS placement tests in Reading and English or complete Learning Support Reading and English
Mathematics	The student must pass the COMPASS placement test in Mathematics or complete Learning Support Mathematics.
Science	The student must complete SSCI 1100 with a grade “C or better before taking any science course.
Social Science	The student must complete HIST 1111 or HIST 1112 or HIST 1121 or HIST 1122 or ECON 1100 with a grade “C or better.
Foreign Language	The student must complete FREN 1001, or GRMN 1001, or JAPN 1001, or RUSS 1001, or SPAN 1001 with a grade of “C or better.

All CPC deficiencies must be made up before the student has earned 20 semester hours of college-level credit. College courses taken to satisfy CPC deficiencies cannot be used to fulfill Core Curriculum or degree requirements, but they are calculated in the cumulative grade point average. Transfer students who satisfy CPC requirements at another institution of the University System of Georgia will be acknowledged as having met those requirements.

• All students are required to take the COMPASS Exams prior to registration in order to determine specific requirements for remediation in English, reading, and mathematics.
• Students that have SAT or ACT scores may submit those scores and exempt placement testing if they meet Gainesville State College’s minimum requirements and meet the 16 CPC unit requirements: SAT Critical Reading (formally Verbal) 480 and Math 460 or ACT English 21 and Math 19.

Transfers From Other Colleges

Applicants who have attended other colleges are classified as transfer students. Students admitted from other colleges are required to meet all general requirements regarding examinations and application deadlines. Students planning to transfer from other colleges must request that the Registrar’s Office at each college previously attended forward an official transcript to the Admissions Office at Gainesville State College. Official transcripts are required whether or not the applicant wishes to receive transfer credit. Documents must be mailed directly from the other college to the Gainesville State College Admissions Office.

Transfer credit is usually awarded for courses that are equivalent to courses offered at GSC, are designed to be part of a Baccalaureate Degree program and are completed with satisfactory grades in regionally accredited colleges. Such courses must generally correspond to the length, time, and content of those offered in the curricula at Gainesville State College.

Transfer students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in English 1101 and 1102 (or equivalents) in order for these courses to transfer. All “D” grades in Core Curriculum courses are transferable, with the exception of English 1101 and 1102. However, if GSC requires a minimum grade of “C” or better in any course, a transfer student with a “D” in that course must retake it to meet GSC requirements. If the transfer student’s cumulative transfer GPA is under 2.0, the student will be required to seek academic advisement before enrolling in courses.

Transfer applicants who have fewer than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of transferable college credit must submit high school transcripts or official GED scores, in addition to all college transcripts and must satisfy College Preparatory Curriculum requirements, if the student graduated from high school within the last five years.

Applicants on academic suspension, dismissal, or exclusion at the last college or university attended are required to serve a one-semester suspension before they are considered for admission to Gainesville State College. Students on Learning Support dismissal from another University System institution are not admissible until three years after their dismissal or they have earned 30 semester hours including course(s) satisfying the Learning Support area from which they were suspended. If transfer admission is granted before final grades are received by the Admissions Office and a supplemental transcript shows that the student has been suspended, the student’s acceptance to Gainesville State College will be rescinded until he or she serves the required one-semester suspension. Accepted transfer students who are not in good academic standing at their previous colleges or universities must maintain the minimum grade point average specified under the Academic Standing heading in the Academic Information section of this Catalog.

Learning Support Transfer

Students who complete Learning Support Reading, English, or Mathematics at another University System institution are exempt from that/those area(s) at Gainesville State College. Those students who begin Learning Support courses, but do not complete them at another University System institution, are placed in the equivalent courses at Gainesville State College.

Terms of enrollment in Learning Support courses at another University System institution are counted toward the maximum allowed for completion of Gainesville State College Learning Support courses. If transfer applicants have more than the maximum number of attempts allowed at Gainesville State College, those applicants will not be accepted.

Any students who have been placed on Learning Support Suspension from another System institution may be considered for admission to Gainesville State College at the end of the three year suspension in accordance with University System Policy.

Students who transfer in fewer than 30 hours of college credit are subject to all the requirements of entering freshmen. Students who transfer in 30 or more hours of college credit are exempt from CPC requirements, but if they do not transfer in a college course for which a Learning Support course is a prerequisite, they are subject to COMPASS testing and placement if they have not completed the Learning Support requirement at the prior institution.

Gainesville State College Learning Support students are not allowed transient permission to take Learning Support courses at other institutions nor does Gainesville State College admit transient students into its Learning Support courses.

Non-Traditional Adults

Individuals whose class has graduated from an accredited high school at least five years prior to application may be considered non-traditional. Applicants must either have graduated from an accredited high school or satisfied requirements for the General Educational Development (GED) Equivalency Certificate. Non-traditional students are exempt from College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements.

Non-traditional applicants are required to take the COMPASS Exam in reading, English, and mathematics before they register for courses. The COMPASS Exam screens students for possible remediation and is given by the College at no charge to the student.

GED Students

Freshmen who did not graduate from an accredited high school, but who have passed the General Education Development Exam (GED), may be eligible for admission to Gainesville State College. Applicants who are considered traditional-aged freshmen (those whose high school class would have graduated within the past five years) are required to submit official GED score reports. Students who have completed some CPC requirements while enrolled in high school may submit official high school transcripts for evaluation. GED recipients will be considered deficient in all College Preparatory Curriculum areas not completed at an accredited high school. These students are not eligible for admissions consideration until their class would have graduated from high school or until they are 18 years old.

GED recipients may submit satisfactory scores on appropriate SAT-II subject tests as a means of satisfying CPC deficiencies or they may satisfy deficiencies as outlined above.

Home Schools/Non-Accredited High Schools

Applicants from home schools or graduates of non-accredited high schools may validate the College Prep Curriculum in an alternative way. SAT-I or ACT equivalent scores and satisfactory documentation of equivalent competence in each of the CPC areas at the college preparatory level may be used. A student whose SAT-I Composite (Critical Reading plus Mathematics) score is at or above the average SAT-I score of the previous year’s Fall semester first-time freshman admitted to the Gainesville State College and who has completed the equivalent of each of the CPC areas as documented by a portfolio of work qualifies for consideration for admission. Minimum test score requirements are available under our home school section on our website at www.gsc.edu/admissions/main/requirements.htm.

ACCEL Program

The ACCEL Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in accredited Georgia public or private high schools who wish to enter college and earn college credit while they complete their junior and/or senior year of high school. Home Schooled students who are participating in an approved USG accredited home school program may also participate in the ACCEL Program. They must submit official transcripts from the accredited home school program for evaluation along with standardized test scores (SAT/ACT).

Under ACCEL regulations, students may simultaneously receive high school Carnegie unit credits and college credit hours. Beginning Spring Semester 2005, ACCEL funding will apply only to the five CPC areas (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language). ACCEL applicants must have prior approval from their parents or guardian, high school counselor or principal, and must be enrolled in an accredited high school. Interested students should contact their high school counselor.

All ACCEL applicants should be on track for the College Preparatory Curriculum diploma seal. Their high school grade point average (as calculated by the College on academic subjects only) must be at least 3.0. ACCEL applicants are also required to submit official college entrance examination scores. Minimum scores for ACCEL admission are:

• 480 Critical Reading and 460 Math on the SAT-I

  OR

• 21 English and 19 Mathematics on the ACT; and
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• at least 970 combined SAT-I, or ACT composite score of at least 21

The College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements for admission to a University System institution may be satisfied in English and/or Social Sciences during joint enrollment. Students with SAT-I critical reading of at least 530 or ACT English score of at least 24 who have not completed the final unit of high school English and/or Social Sciences may be permitted to fulfill their high school requirements with the appropriate college courses taken through the ACCEL Program.

Students who wish to complete the fourth mathematics may do so at the college level if they have at least a 530 math SAT-I or ACT mathematics score of at least 22. The CPC requirements in natural science and foreign language must be completed at the high school.

Documentation required for ACCEL status includes:

1. Completed application for admission as an ACCEL student with the appropriate application fee. (ACCEL students are encouraged to apply online at www.gsc.edu/admissions/main.
    
2. High school transcript with an academic grade point average of at least 3.0
    
3. SAT or ACT scores as specified above
    
4. Letter of permission from parent or legal guardian
    
5. Completed Certificate of Immunization

In addition to applying to Gainesville State College, students who are participating in the ACCEL program must also complete the ACCEL application through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Information on the program and its requirements and limitations can be found at www.gsfc.org/.

Transients

Students currently attending another college or university and wish to attend GSC for one semester, and then return to their home institution may apply for temporary admission and registration at Gainesville State College as transient students. Transient students are not permitted to enroll in Learning Support courses.

• Transient students must present a written statement from the Registrar or designated school official at their institution recommending admission as a transient student and that they are eligible to re-enroll.
   
• Enrollment as a transient student is limited to one semester. Students who wish to apply for a second transient semester will be required to complete an application for readmission and furnish an updated transient permission letter from the designated school official of their home college by the designated application deadline.
   
• Transient students who decide to transfer to Gainesville State College to pursue their educational goals must apply for readmission for the desired semester and comply with admission requirements for transfer students. Former Gainesville State College transient students do not pay an application processing fee when they reapply for admission.
   

International Students

University System of Georgia Policy for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes and Out-of-State Waivers

Under the Constitution and laws of Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia was created to govern, control and manage a system of public institutions providing quality higher education for the benefit of Georgia citizens. The state, in turn receives a substantial benefit from individuals who are attending or who have attended these institutions through their significant contributions to the civic, political, economic, and social advancement of the citizens of the State of Georgia.

The Board of Regents has adopted the following policies governing the classification of students as in-state and out-of-state for tuition purposes. (Effective Fall 2007)

403.02 Classification Status for Tuition Purposes

A. United States Citizens

1)

1. An independent student who has established and maintained a domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes. It is presumed that no student shall have gained or acquired in-state classification while attending any postsecondary educational institution in this state without clear evidence of having established domicile in Georgia for purposes other than attending postsecondary educational institution in this state.
2. A dependent student shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes if either i) the dependent student’s parent has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term and the student has graduated from a Georgia high school or ii) the dependent student’s parent has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term and the parent claimed the student as a dependent on the parent’s most recent federal income tax return.
3. A dependent student shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes if a U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term provided that appointment was not made to avoid payment of out-of-state tuition and the U.S.court-appointed legal guardian can provide clear evidence of having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term.

2)

1. If an independent student classified as “in-state” relocates temporarily but returns to the State of Georgia within 12 months, the student shall be entitled to retain in-state tuition classification.
2. If the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian of a dependent student currently classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes establishes domicile outside of Georgia after having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia, the student may retain in-state tuition classification as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian.

B. Noncitizens

Noncitizens initially shall not be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes unless there is evidence to warrant consideration of in-state classification. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or other eligible noncitizens as defined by federal Title IV regulations may be extended the same consideration as citizens of the United States in determining whether they qualify for in-state classification. International students who reside in the United States under nonimmigrant status conditioned at least in part upon intent not to abandon a foreign domicile are not eligible for in-state classification.

704.041 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Under certain conditions an institution may award out-of-state tuition differential waivers and assess in-state tuition for nonresidents of Georgia.

1. Academic Common Market. (http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp) Students selected to participate in a program offered through the Academic Common Market.
2. International and Superior Out-of-State Students. International students and superior out-of-state students selected by the institutional president or an authorized representative, provided that the number of such waivers in effect does not exceed 2% of the equivalent full-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall term immediately preceding the term for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived.
3. University System Employees and Dependents. Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children.
4. Medical/Dental Students and Interns. Medical and dental residents and medical and dental interns at the Medical College of Georgia (BR Minutes, 1986-87, p. 340).
5. Full-time School Employees. Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver. (BR Minutes, 1988-89, p. 43)
6. Career Consular Officials. Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
7. Military Personnel. Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in or assigned to Georgia and on active duty. The waiver can be retained by the military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children if the military sponsor is reassigned outside of Georgia, as long as the student(s) remain(s) continuously enrolled and the military sponsor remains on active military status (BR Minutes, February 2004).
8. Research University Graduate Students. Graduate students attending the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and the Medical College of Georgia, which shall be authorized to waive the out-of-state tuition differential for a limited number of graduate students each year, with the understanding that the number of students at each of these institutions to whom such waivers are granted, shall not exceed the number assigned below at any one point at a time:
   
   

   University of Georgia	80
   Georgia Institute of Technology	60
   Georgia State University	80
   Medical College of Georgia	20

    

9. Border County Residents. Residents of an out-of-state county bordering a Georgia county in which the reporting institution or a Board-approved external center of the University System is located.
10. National Guard Members. Full-time members of the Georgia National Guard, their spouses, and their dependent children (BR Minutes, April, 1998, pp. 16-17)
11. Students enrolled in the University System institutions as part of Competitive Economic Development Projects. Students who are certified by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development as being part of a competitive economic development project.
12. Students in Georgia-Based Corporations. Students who are employees of Georgia-based corporations or organizations that have contracted with the Board of Regents through University System institutions to provide out-of-state tuition differential waivers.
13. Students in Pilot Programs. Students enrolled in special pilot programs approved by the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall evaluate institutional requests for such programs in light of good public policy and the best interests of students. If a pilot program is successful, the tuition program shall be presented to the Board for consideration.
14. Students in ICAPP^® Advantage (http://www.icapp.org/) programs. Any student participating in an ICAPP^® Advantage program>.
15. Direct Exchange Program Students. Any international student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in a direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University System students.
16. Economic Advantage. As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a dependent or independent student who can provide clear evidence that the student or the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution for higher education. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted.
    
    As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a student possessing a valid employment-related visa status who can provide clear evidence of having relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals would be required to show clear evidence of having taken all legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Students currently receiving a waiver who are dependents of a parent or spouse possessing a valid employment-sponsored visa may continue to receive the waiver as long as they can demonstrate continued efforts to pursue an adjustment of status to U.S. legal permanent resident (BR Minutes, June 2006).
17. Recently Separated Military Service Personnel. Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 12 months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become a permanent resident of Georgia. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year (BR Minutes, June 2004).
18. Nonresident Student. As of the first day of classes for the term, a nonresident student whose parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months so long as the student can provide clear evidence showing the relationship to the parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has existed for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term.
    
    If the parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian of a continuously enrolled nonresident student establishes domicile in another state after having maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for the required period, the nonresident student may continue to receive this waiver as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian.

Requests for tuition waivers must be received in the appropriate office no later than the last day to pay fees for the term for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived. Petitions or requests for waivers submitted after that date will not be considered for the term. Waivers must be renewed annually unless otherwise noted.

Glossary of Terms for Petition for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes

The following definitions of terms apply in the determination of a student’s classification for tuition purposes in the University System of Georgia.

1. Adoption- A legally recognized relationship that creates a parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically related to each other.
2. Adult Student- An emancipated individual, over the age of 18.
3. Asylee- A foreign national who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. A stamp reading “Asylum status granted pursuant to Section 208, USCIS” affirms an individual’s official status as an asylee.
4. Continuously enrolled student- A student who makes satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree, diploma, or certificate program of study at a public postsecondary educational institution or accredited, bona fide study abroad program in the State of Georgia without a break in enrollment of more than one traditional academic semester (fall or spring). A student who is not enrolled for two or more consecutive traditional academic semesters is not considered to be a continuously enrolled student.
5. Dependent student- An individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian whose federal or state income tax return lists the individual as “dependent.”
6. Domicile- A person’s present, permanent home where that individual intends to stay indefinitely and to which that individual returns following periods of temporary absence. Domicile, once established, shall not be affected by mere transient or temporary physical presence in another state. No individual may have more than one domicile even though an individual may maintain more than one residence. Temporary residence does not constitute the establishment of one’s domicile. To acquire domicile, an individual must demonstrate intent to remain permanently or indefinitely.
7. Durational Requirement- The period of 12 consecutive months after the individual has established domicile and preceding the first day of classes for intended term of enrollment.
8. Emancipated- A minor who under certain circumstances may be treated by the law as an adult. A student reaching the age of 18 does not qualify for consideration of reclassification by virtue of having become emancipated unless he/she can demonstrate financial independence and domicile independent of his/her parents.
9. Eligible non-citizens- Refugees, persons granted asylum, certain conditional entrants, persons paroled into the U.S. for at least one year who can demonstrate an intent to become a legal permanent resident, and Cuban-Haitian entrants.
10. Full-time employment- An annual earned income reported for tax purposes which is equivalent to minimum wage earned by working forty hours per week during fifty work-weeks per year.
11. Immigrant- A foreign national issued an immigrant visa by the Department of State overseas, or a foreign national who has adjusted to permanent resident status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States. An immigrant is legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States.
12. Independent student- An individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian who has ceased to provide support and right to that individual’s care, custody and earnings.
13. In-state tuition classification- Status granted to a student, in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents, who has been determined to be eligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate.
14. International student- An individual who enters the United States temporarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution under a nonimmigrant visa status that does not permit long-term, indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.
15. Lawful permanent resident- [also known as Permanent Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder)] A non-citizen residing in the United States under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence status as an immigrant.
16. Legal guardian- An individual who has been granted custody of a dependent person (under the age of 24) by court in the United States.
17. Military personnel- Full-time members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including active-duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
18. Minor student- An unemancipated student under the age of 18 years of age.
19. Non-citizen- A person who is not a U.S.-born or naturalized citizen of the United States.
20. Nonimmigrant- A foreign national who maintains permanent residence abroad and seeks temporary entry to the United States. Nonimmigrant classifications include foreign government officials; visitors for business and for pleasure; aliens in transit through the United States; treaty traders and investors; students; international representatives; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens; intra-company transferees; NATO officials; religious workers; witnesses or informants; victims of trafficking or certain crimes; NAFTA professionals; humanitarian parole status individuals; dependents of lawful permanent residents awaiting lawful permanent resident status; and Temporary Protected Status individuals. Nonimmigrant classifications which allow temporary presence in the United States by prohibit the establishment of domicile in the United States include visitors for business or for pleasure; aliens in transit through the United States; students; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; and NAFTA professionals.
21. Non-resident- A person who has not had an established domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the person is intending to enroll at a postsecondary educational institution in Georgia.
22. Out-of-state tuition classification- Status granted to a student, in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents, who has been determined to be ineligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate.
23. Out-of-state tuition waiver- A waiver of the difference in tuition paid by students classified as out-of-state and those classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
24. Postsecondary educational institution- An institution of higher (tertiary) education, public or private, above the high-school level.
25. Refugee- [See Asylee]
26. Residency- [See also In-state tuition classification and Domicile] Residency is the state and country where an individual currently lives. An individual may be residing in Georgia and may be classified as having established Georgia residency for securing marital status, a driver’s license, or classification of taxpayer status but does not meet the qualifications to establish domicile in Georgia.
27. Title IV regulations- Federal regulations governing Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, found in Chapter Six of Title 34 of the Federal Register.
28. U.S. citizen- A citizen of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
29. U.S. national- A citizen of American Samoa and Swain’s Island.

Special Students

Students who have earned an academic associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college (not an associate in applied science) and who wish to take courses at Gainesville State College without pursuing a Gainesville State College degree, may be classified as special students. These students are required to complete an application for admission and submit proof of degree (official transcript) and a completed Certificate of Immunization. Should a special student subsequently wish to earn a Gainesville State College degree, he/she must submit a re-application for admission as a transfer student and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Audit Students

Persons wishing to attend regular college classes without credit may apply for admission as auditors. These students are required to complete an application for admission and submit proof of high school completion or college degree from a regionally accredited college and a completed Certificate of Immunization. Regular tuition and fees apply to these students. Auditors fully participate in their courses, except that examinations are not required. No grades are issued and no credit is granted upon completion of the courses, nor may students receive retroactive credit at any later time as auditors for courses completed. To receive credit later, students must register again for the same course(s) on a credit basis. Auditors are not allowed to change from an audit to a credit status once classes have begun. To change from an audit to a credit status, students must submit the appropriate documentation to the Admissions Office and take the COMPASS placement tests, if required.

Persons 62 Years Of Age Or Older

According to the provisions of Amendment 23 to the Georgia Constitution, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia established the following rules with respect to enrollment in colleges of the University System of persons aged 62 or older:

1. Applicants must be legal residents of Georgia, 62 years of age or older at the time of registration, and must present a birth certificate or other comparable written documentation of age to enable the Admissions Office to determine eligibility.
2. Students may enroll as regular students in courses offered for resident credit on a space available basis without payment of tuition. Students must pay associated course fees, supply fees, laboratory fees, book fees, etc.
3. Applicants must meet all University System and institutional admission requirements, including high school record, official transcripts from all colleges previously attended, and completed Certificate of Immunization.

Degree-seeking students must meet all institutional, University System, and state-legislated degree requirements, including the Regents’ Exam and instruction or exams in American and Georgia history and the federal and state constitutions.

Former Students

Effective Fall 2005, previously enrolled students who have been out of Gainesville State College for no more than two consecutive semesters (including Summer) and who have not enrolled in another college or university in the interim may return to GSC without having to re-apply. These students, if they choose, will be eligible to go through advisement and pre-registration.

Students first entering Gainesville State College prior to Spring Quarter, 1998, and applying for readmission after Summer Semester, 2007, will no longer be eligible to graduate under quarter system requirements and must meet semester degree requirements.

Students who must re-apply:

1. Any student who has not been registered at Gainesville State College for three or more consecutive terms (including Summer).
2. All transient students must re-apply each semester.
3. Students who have attended any other institution during their absence from Gainesville State College. These students are classified as transfer students, even if they have attended GSC before.

• Please refer to our application for readmission to avoid paying an additional application fee.
• If you decide to complete and submit the online application, you will be required to submit the $25 fee.
• Former students must apply for readmission by the established deadline.
• Former students who have attended another college or university in the interim must submit official transcripts of all colleges attended since last attending Gainesville State College. A student who has previously paid the application fee will not be required to pay the fee again.

Students, who for any reason have remained out of the College for three or more semesters, including the Summer Semester, must apply for readmission by the established semester application deadline. Students who have attended other colleges in the interim must submit official transcripts of all colleges attended since they last attended Gainesville State College. Former students who leave the College prior to completing Learning Support requirements will not be allowed to return to the College as transient students from another college unless they have completed credit level coursework in the area of the existing Learning Support requirements.

Application Fee Waiver: Students with approved application fee waivers may NOT apply online. Contact the Gainesville State College Office of Admissions at 678-717-3641 for a paper application, or you may download an application from the website at www.gsc.edu/admissions/main.

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Technology Management - Admission Requirements

Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Technology Management must complete all GSC general institutional admissions requirements, and declare a major in Technology Management. To be awarded the BAS degree, students must either hold an appropriate career associate degree (A.A.S. or A.A.T.) from a regionally accredited institution or meet the A.A.S. degree requirements while enrolled at Gainesville State College.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Enviornmental Spatial Analysis - Admission Requirements

Students who wish to pursue a BS degree in Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis must complete all GSC general institutional requirements, and declare a major in Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth to 5) - Admission Requirements

Students who wish to pursue a BS degree in Early Childhood Care and Education must complete the requirements for an A.S. in Early Childhood Care and Education or equivalent, and achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and declare a major in Early Childhood Care and Education through the program director.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood Education (P-5) (Teaching Certification) - Admission Requirements

Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Teaching Certification) must first be admitted to Gainesville State College and must complete the requirements for the A.S. in Early Childhood Education or equivalent to include a grade of “C” or better for all courses in Area A and F, achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and a passing score on GACE, and apply for admittance to the Teacher Education Program through the Division of Education, Health and Wellness.

Under the Constitution and laws of Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia was created to govern, control and manage a system of public institutions providing quality higher education for the benefit of Georgia citizens. The state, in turn receives a substantial benefit from individuals who are attending or who have attended these institutions through their significant contributions to the civic, political, economic, and social advancement of the citizens of the State of Georgia.

The Board of Regents has adopted the following policies governing the classification of students as in-state and out-of-state for tuition purposes. (Effective Fall 2007)

403.02 Classification Status for Tuition Purposes

A. United States Citizens

1)

1. An independent student who has established and maintained a domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes. It is presumed that no student shall have gained or acquired in-state classification while attending any postsecondary educational institution in this state without clear evidence of having established domicile in Georgia for purposes other than attending postsecondary educational institution in this state.
2. A dependent student shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes if either i) the dependent student’s parent has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term and the student has graduated from a Georgia high school or ii) the dependent student’s parent has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term and the parent claimed the student as a dependent on the parent’s most recent federal income tax return.
3. A dependent. student shall be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes if a U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term provided that appointment was not made to avoid payment of out-of-state tuition and the U.S. court-appointed legal guardian can provide clear evidence of having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term.

2)

1. If an independent student classified as “in-state” relocates temporarily but returns to the State of Georgia within 12 months, the student shall be entitled to retain in-state tuition classification.
2. If the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian of a dependent student currently classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes establishes domicile outside of Georgia after having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia, the student may retain in-state tuition classification as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian.

B. Noncitizens

Noncitizens initially shall not be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes unless there is evidence to warrant consideration of in-state classification. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or other eligible noncitizens as defined by federal Title IV regulations may be extended the same consideration as citizens of the United States in determining whether they qualify for in-state classification. International students who reside in the United States under nonimmigrant status conditioned at least in part upon intent not to abandon a foreign domicile are not eligible for in-state classification.

1. 704.041 Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Under certain conditions an institution may award out-of-state tuition differential waivers and assess in-state tuition for nonresidents of Georgia.

1. Academic Common Market. (http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp) Students selected to participate in a program offered through the Academic Common Market.
2. International and Superior Out-of-State Students. International students and superior out-of-state students selected by the institutional president or an authorized representative, provided that the number of such waivers in effect does not exceed 2% of the equivalent full-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall term immediately preceding the term for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived.
3. University System Employees and Dependents. Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children.
4. Medical/Dental Students and Interns. Medical and dental residents and medical and dental interns at the Medical College of Georgia (BR Minutes, 1986-87, p. 340).
5. Full-time School Employees. Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver. (BR Minutes, 1988-89, p. 43)
6. Career Consular Officials. Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
7. Military Personnel. Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in or assigned to Georgia and on active duty. The waiver can be retained by the military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children if the military sponsor is reassigned outside of Georgia, as long as the student(s) remain(s) continuously enrolled and the military sponsor remains on active military status (BR Minutes, February 2004).
8. Research University Graduate Students. Graduate students attending the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and the Medical College of Georgia, which shall be authorized to waive the out-of-state tuition differential for a limited number of graduate students each year, with the understanding that the number of students at each of these institutions to whom such waivers are granted, shall not exceed the number assigned below at any one point at a time:
   
   

   University of Georgia		80
   Georgia Institute of Technology		60
   Georgia State University		80
   Medical College of Georgia		20

    

9. Border County Residents. Residents of an out-of-state county bordering a Georgia county in which the reporting institution or a Board-approved external center of the University System is located.
10. National Guard Members. Full-time members of the Georgia National Guard, their spouses, and their dependent children (BR Minutes, April, 1998, pp. 16-17).
11. Students enrolled in the University System institutions as part of Competitive Economic Development Projects. Students who are certified by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development as being part of a competitive economic development project.
12. Students in Georgia-Based Corporations. Students who are employees of Georgia-based corporations or organizations that have contracted with the Board of Regents through University System institutions to provide out-of-state tuition differential waivers.
13. Students in Pilot Programs. Students enrolled in special pilot programs approved by the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall evaluate institutional requests for such programs in light of good public policy and the best interests of students. If a pilot program is successful, the tuition program shall be presented to the Board for consideration.
14. Students in ICAPP^® Advantage (http://www.icapp.org/) programs. Any student participating in an ICAPP^® Advantage program.
15. Direct Exchange Program Students. Any international student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in a direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University
    System students.
16. Economic Advantage. As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a dependent or independent student who can provide clear evidence that the student or the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other
    than enrolling in an institution for higher education. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted.
    
    As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a student possessing a valid employment-related visa status who can provide clear evidence of having relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals would be required to show clear evidence of having taken all legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Students currently receiving a waiver who are dependents of a parent or spouse possessing a valid employment-sponsored visa may continue to receive the waiver as long as they can demonstrate continued efforts to pursue an adjustment of status to U.S. legal permanent resident (BR Minutes, June 2006).
17. Recently Separated Military Service Personnel. Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 12 months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and
    demonstrate an intent to become a permanent resident of Georgia. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year (BR Minutes, June 2004).
18. Nonresident Student. As of the first day of classes for the term, a nonresident student whose parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months so long as the student can provide clear evidence showing the relationship to the parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has existed for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term.
    
    If the parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian of a continuously enrolled nonresident student establishes domicile in another state after having maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for the required period, the nonresident student may continue to receive this waiver as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian.

The following definitions of terms apply in the determination of a student’s classification for tuition purposes in the University System of Georgia.

1. Adoption- A legally recognized relationship that creates a parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically related to each other.
2. Adult Student- An emancipated individual, over the age of 18.
3. Asylee- A foreign national who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. A stamp reading “Asylum status granted pursuant to Section 208, USCIS” affirms an individual’s official status as an asylee.
4. Continuously enrolled student- A student who makes satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree, diploma, or certificate program of study at a public postsecondary educational institution or accredited, bona fide study abroad program in the State of Georgia without a break in enrollment of more than one traditional academic semester (fall or spring). A student who is not enrolled for two or more consecutive traditional academic semesters is not considered to be a continuously enrolled student.
5. Dependent student- An individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian whose federal or state income tax return lists the individual as “dependent.”
6. Domicile- A person’s present, permanent home where that individual intends to stay indefinitely and to which that individual returns following periods of temporary absence. Domicile, once established, shall not be affected by mere transient or temporary physical presence in another state. No individual may have more than one domicile even though an individual may maintain more than one residence. Temporary residence does not constitute the establishment of one’s domicile. To acquire domicile, an individual must demonstrate intent to remain permanently or indefinitely.
7. Durational Requirement- The period of 12 consecutive months after the individual has established domicile and preceding the first day of classes for intended term of enrollment.
8. Emancipated- A minor who under certain circumstances may be treated by the law as an adult. A student reaching the age of 18 does not qualify for consideration of reclassification by virtue of having become emancipated unless he/she can demonstrate financial independence and domicile independent of his/her parents.
9. Eligible non-citizens- Refugees, persons granted asylum, certain conditional entrants, persons paroled into the U.S. for at least one year who can demonstrate an intent to become a legal permanent resident, and Cuban-Haitian entrants.
10. Full-time employment- An annual earned income reported for tax purposes which is equivalent to minimum wage earned by working forty hours per week during fifty work-weeks per year.
11. Immigrant- A foreign national issued an immigrant visa by the Department of State overseas, or a foreign national who has adjusted to permanent resident status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States. An immigrant is legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States.
12. Independent student- An individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian who has ceased to provide support and right to that individual’s care, custody and earnings.
13. In-state tuition classification- Status granted to a student, in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents, who has been determined to be eligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate.
14. International student- An individual who enters the United States temporarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution under a nonimmigrant visa status that does not permit long-term, indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.
15. Lawful permanent resident- [also known as Permanent Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder)] A non-citizen residing in the United States under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence status as an immigrant.
16. Legal guardian- An individual who has been granted custody of a dependent person (under the age of 24) by court in the United States.
17. Military personnel- Full-time members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including active-duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
18. Minor student- An unemancipated student under the age of 18 years of age.
19. Non-citizen- A person who is not a U.S.-born or naturalized citizen of the United States.
20. Nonimmigrant- A foreign national who maintains permanent residence abroad and seeks temporary entry to the United States. Nonimmigrant classifications include foreign government officials; visitors for business and for pleasure; aliens in transit through the United States; treaty traders and investors; students; international representatives; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens; intra-company transferees; NATO officials; religious workers; witnesses or informants; victims of trafficking or certain crimes; NAFTA professionals; humanitarian parole status individuals; dependents of lawful permanent residents awaiting lawful permanent resident status; and Temporary Protected Status individuals. Nonimmigrant classifications which allow temporary presence in the United States by prohibit the establishment of domicile in the United States include visitors for business or for pleasure; aliens in transit through the United States; students; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; and NAFTA professionals.
21. Non-resident- A person who has not had an established domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the person is intending to enroll at a postsecondary educational institution in Georgia.
22. Out-of-state tuition classification- Status granted to a student, in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents, who has been determined to be ineligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate.
23. Out-of-state tuition waiver- A waiver of the difference in tuition paid by students classified as out-of-state and those classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
24. Postsecondary educational institution- An institution of higher (tertiary) education, public or private, above the high-school level.
25. Refugee- [See Asylee]
26. Residency- [See also In-state tuition classification and Domicile] Residency is the state and country where an individual currently lives. An individual may be residing in Georgia and may be classified as having established Georgia residency for securing marital status, a driver’s license, or classification of taxpayer status but does not meet the qualifications to establish domicile in Georgia.
27. Title IV regulations- Federal regulations governing Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, found in Chapter Six of Title 34 of the Federal Register.
28. U.S. citizen- A citizen of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
29. U.S. national- A citizen of American Samoa and Swain’s Island.
     

Additional Resident Information

Individuals who enter Gainesville State College as nonresident students but who wish later to qualify as legal residents must submit a Petition for Georgia Residence Classification, which can be obtained in the Admissions Office or online at www.gsc.edu. A student’s residence status is not changed automatically, and the burden of proof that the student qualifies as a legal resident under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia rests with the student. Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence classification. A student classified as nonresident who believes he or she is entitled to be reclassified as a legal resident may petition the Director of Admissions for a change in status. To avoid delay and inconvenience at registration, the petition and all supporting documentation must be filed no later than 10 working days prior to registration for the semester for which the student is petitioning for in-state residence status.