Admissions

Click on any of the following links for information:

• General Admission Procedures
• Admissions Classifications
  • Admission 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 (for Tuition Purposes)

Please Note

The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and this institution. While every effort will be made to insure accuracy of the material stated herein, Gainesville State College reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, curricula, course offerings, and academic regulations without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of such changes. Students should refer to our web site at www.gsc.edu for the most recent update of our catalog.

Admission requirements change periodically in response to changes mandated by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents (USG) or Gainesville State College (GSC). Prospective students are encouraged to check the GSC website for updates on the admissions process.

GSC 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 admission policies reflect this understanding.

Applicants are reviewed on the basis of their qualifications and evaluated with their potential in mind. GSC 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 Center Building on the Gainesville Campus and in the Administration Building on the Oconee Campus.

Applicants must complete and submit all required forms and credentials to GSC 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 on-line.
2. 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.
3. Social Security number. Applications for Social Security numbers may be obtained from any United States Post Office. International (F-1) students and undocumented students are not required to have a social security number.
4. Certificate of Immunization. Certificates may be obtained from the Admissions Office, or a copy may be printed on-line.
5. Please note: All Foreign nationals educated outside of the U.S. who were educated in a language other than English, must submit official TOEFL scores for admission consideration.

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. To determine eligibility requirements, please contact the Office of Disability Services.

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 reapply 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 on-line. Contact the GSC Office of Admissions at 678-717-3641 for a paper application, or you may download an application from our website.

ADMISSION FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Freshmen:

• must request an official transcript of all high school work completed, stating the graduation date, to 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 have graduated from high school. A passing score on the GED is sufficient for admission. Students who have completed some College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements while enrolled in high school may submit official copies of their high school transcripts for evaluation.

  Please note: Official transcripts or test scores must be in a sealed envelope from the originating agency or submitted through GAcollege411.

• Freshmen must have either a High School Diploma or GED. There are no exceptions. GED students 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 Preparatory Curriculum (see below).

The following high school courses are minimum requirements for College Preparatory 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 one of the following courses along with its corresponding laboratory course: BIOL 1101, BIOL 1102, CHEM 1151, ESCI 1101, GEOG 1111, GEOL 1250, or GSCI 1101 with a grade of “C” or higher before taking any other science course.
Social Science	The student must complete HIST 1111, HIST 1112, HIST 1121, HIST 1122, or ECON 1100 with a grade “C” or higher.
Foreign Language	The student must complete FREN 1001, GRMN 1001, JAPN 1001, RUSS 1001, or SPAN 1001 with a grade of “C” or higher.

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. The academic record of transfer students who satisfy CPC requirements at another University System of Georgia institution will acknowledge that the requirements are met.

• 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 who 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 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 GSC. 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 GSC Admissions Office.

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

Transfer students are required to earn a grade of “C” or higher 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 higher in any course, a transfer student with a “D” in that course must retake it to meet GSC requirements.

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 CPC requirements if the applicants 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 GSC. Students on Learning Support dismissal from another University System of Georgia institution are not admissible until three years after their dismissal or until 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 GSC 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 2.0 GPA as required by GSC policy.

LEARNING SUPPORT TRANSFER

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

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

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

Students who transfer in fewer than 30 semester hours of college credit are subject to all the requirements of entering freshmen. Students who transfer in 30 semester 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.

GSC Learning Support students are not allowed transient permission to enroll in Learning Support courses at other institutions nor does GSC permit transient students to enroll in GSC 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 GED. Non-traditional students are exempt from 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.

Non-traditional students who completed a home school high school curriculum must supply documentation listed in the Home School section below with the exception of SAT/ACT test requirements.

GED STUDENTS

Freshmen who did not graduate from an accredited high school but who have passed the GED, may be eligible for admission to GSC. Applicants 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 CPC 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.

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 (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 Gainesville State College and who has completed the equivalent of each of the CPC areas as documented by a portfolio of work qualifies for admission consideration. Minimum test score requirements are available under our home school section on our website.

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. 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
• 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 23 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:

• Completed application for admission as an ACCEL student with the appropriate application fee. ACCEL students are encouraged to apply on-line;
• High school transcript with an academic grade point average of at least 3.0;
• SAT or ACT scores as specified above;
• Letter of permission from parent or legal guardian;
• Completed Certificate of Immunization.

In addition to applying to GSC, students who are participating in the ACCEL program must also complete the ACCEL application through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Information on the ACCEL Program, its Requirements, and Limitations

HOME SCHOOL AND UNACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN THE ACCEL PROGRAM

University System of Georgia (USG)

Effective Fall 2009, USG institutions will be permitted to enroll any home-schooled student who meets System and institutional joint enrollment admission requirements. The following statement will appear in the next update of the Academic Affairs Handbook.

Students attending non-accredited home school programs or non-accredited high schools may also be eligible to participate in the joint enrollment program if they meet all regular System and institutional joint enrollment requirements and can validate their on-track, Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) units in accordance with the policy of the institution to which they are applying.  

Home-schooled students seeking admission as joint enrolled must meet the System’s minimum standards  (http://www.usg.edu/academics/handbook/section3/301-310/301-310.phtml#n3.01.01C6) for joint enrollment as well as any additional requirements defined by the individual institution.   Participation in this program is not mandatory and institutions can set higher than the System joint enrollment requirements for all students. 

Home-schooled students are not eligible for ACCEL funds.

ACCREDITED HOME SCHOOL ADMISSION

Home schooled students who participate in an accredited home school program, as recognized by the USG, will meet the same admission criteria as all other students applying for Joint Enrollment:

• 480 Verbal and 460 Math on the SAT-I or 21 English and 19 Mathematics on the ACT and at least 970 combined SAT-I critical reading and math, or ACT composite score of at least 21;

• Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher in courses taken from the required 16 CPC units;

• Exemption of all Learning Support requirements for early admission;

• Written consent of parent or guardian if the student is a minor;

• On track towards the completion of the USG 16-unit CPC requirements and high school graduation.

Students wishing to complete their CPC or high school graduation requirements by enrolling in college courses must also meet the following admission requirements:

• CPC English and/or Social Science - Students planning to complete their 4th year high school English and/or social studies requirements with college credit must have an SAT I Verbal score of 530 or higher or ACT English score of 23.

• CPC Math - Students planning to complete their 4th year of high school mathematics must have completed Algebra I and II and Geometry and have a SAT I Mathematics score of at least 530 or ACT Mathematics scores of at least 22.

NON-ACCREDITED HOME SCHOOL AND NON-ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION

Home schooled students who participate in a non-accredited home school program or non-accredited private school are required to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for admission:

• Minimum SAT I score of 530 Critical Reading and 530 Mathematics sections, or ACT 24 English and 22 Math.

• Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher in courses taken from the required 16 CPC units.

• Exemption of all LS requirements for early admission

• Written consent of parent or guardian (if the student is a minor);

• On track towards the completion of the University System of Georgia 16-unit CPC requirements and high school graduation.            

Home-schooled students are not eligible for ACCEL funds.

TRANSIENT

Students currently attending another college or university and who wish to attend GSC for one semester and then return to their home institution may apply for temporary admission and registration at GSC 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

GSC welcomes students from other countries. The presence of international students fosters cultural exchange, which can be beneficial to the student body and to the community at large. International students my enroll in any program of study offered at GSC. The College has no residence halls; therefore, international students must make their own arrangements for living accommodations and transportation.

International students must pay non-resident fees unless such fees are waived. Fee waivers are awarded upon admission based on availability. Students receiving fee waivers must maintain their F-1 immigration status, have a GPA of at least 2.5 and volunteer in an office on campus seven hours per week. Prior to being issued an I-20, international applicants must present documented evidence that they have sufficient funds to meet their educational and living expenses for one academic year. Currently students must provide official bank documentation verifying that at least $16,500 USD are available to cover necessary expenses.

International applicants must submit the following credentials by the following dates for the specified semester:

Fall - May 1; Spring - October 1; Summer - April 1.

• Completed International application for admission with the appropriate nonrefundable, one time only application processing fee. (The application fee must be paid with U.S. currency, check, or money order. International applicants must also complete and submit the paper International Application for Admission). International applications are available for download at www.gsc.edu or may be requested through the Admissions Office.
• Sworn affidavit(s) of support from financial sponsor(s) if the student is not self supporting. Each affidavit must include the maximum dollar amount that the sponsor will provide.
• Letter from sponsor’s (or student’s) bank showing that funds are available for one year of support (at least $16,500 USD for tuition and fees, books, living expenses, insurance, and transportation). Bank statements are not sufficient. Funds must be reported in U.S. dollars or in U.S. dollar equivalents, and information reported must be no more than six months old.
• Original or certified true copies of all secondary school and college records with a verified English translation. Records must include courses taken and grades earned. Students who have completed coursework at a foreign college or university must provide a course-by-course translation of foreign transcripts prepared by a U.S. based credential evaluation agency, such as World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. (www.jsilny.com) in order to have that coursework considered for credit at Gainesville State College.
• Official score of at least 480 (paper-based test), 157 (computer-based test), or 55 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) proficiency exam if English is not the native language. Photocopies of the TOEFL score will not be accepted.
• Completed Certificate of Immunization. Immunizations must be administered within the United States unless documented on a World Health Organization immunization form.

Applicants are informed of the admission decision after all academic credentials are reviewed. An I-20 Form will be issued only after the student has been accepted into the College. International students with student (F-1) visas are required to be full-time students (at least 12 semester hours) for Fall and Spring Semesters of the academic year. F-1 students whose first semester of enrollment is the Summer must take 12 semester hours as well. The College is required to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) Service whenever a student’s course load drops below full-time status.

Students whose native language is not English must take the COMPASS college placement exam in the areas required. Placement in Learning Support or ESL courses may lengthen the student’s degree program.

All international students are required to report to the International Admissions Counselor within two weeks of their arrival and have their passports, I-20, and Arrival-Departure Records photocopied and placed in the admission files. This procedure is required by the USICE and facilitates the replacement of lost documents.

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. A student who is required to take Learning Support courses in an area may not register as an auditor in any such course in that area.

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Regent’s Exam and instruction or exams in American and Georgia history and the federal and state constitutions.

FORMER STUDENTS

Previously enrolled students who have been out of GSC 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 GSC 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:

• Students who have not been enrolled at GSC for three or more semesters, including the Summer Semester.

• All transient students must apply each semester.  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.

• Students who have attended any other institution during their absence from GSC. These students are classified as transfer students even if they have attended GSC previously.  These students must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended since they last attended GSC.

  Requirements for readmission:

• Please refer to our application for readmission form to avoid paying an additional application fee.

• If you decide to complete and submit the electronic application instead, 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 GSC. A student who has previously paid the application fee will not be required to pay the fee again.

Application Fee Waiver: Students with approved application fee waivers may NOT apply on-line. Contact the GSC Office of Admissions at 678-717-3641 for a paper application, or you may download an application from the website.

GSC offers baccalaureate degrees in the areas of Education; Business; Natural Sciences, Engineering & Technology; and Fine Arts.

  Admission Criteria and Program Requirements for each Baccalaureate Degree

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) IN APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL SPATIAL ANALYSIS 

Students must complete all GSC general institutional requirements and declare a major in Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (B.F.A.) IN DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THEATRE

Students must complete all GSC general institutional requirements and declare a major in Design and Technology for Theatre.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (P–5) 

Students wishing to complete a degree in Early Childhood Education must first complete the requirements for an Associate of Science (AS) in Early Childhood Education or equivalent and make separate application to the Department of Health, Education and Wellness.  Admission to this program is competitive.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (BIRTH TO 5) 

Students wishing to complete a degree in Early Childhood Care and Education must first complete the requirements for an Associate of Science (AS) in Early Childhood Care and Education or equivalent and make separate application to the Department of Health, Education and Wellness.  Admission to this program is competitive.

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE (B.A.S.) IN TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Students wishing to complete a degree in Technology Management must hold an appropriate career associate degree (Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Technology) from an institution regionally accredited to grant career associate degrees. 

STUDENT RESIDENCY

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS FOR TUITION PURPOSES

Description of Terms Used in the Policy

1. Dependent Student – an individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian.
2. Emancipated – a minor who, under certain circumstances, may be treated by the law as an adult. A student reaching the age of 18 shall not qualify for consideration of reclassification by virtue of having become emancipated unless he or she can demonstrate financial independence and domicile independent of his or her parents.
3. Independent Student – an individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian and whose parent or guardian has ceased to provide support and rights to that individuals’ care, custody, and earnings.

The other terms used in the Tuition Classification Policy can be found in the Glossary of Terms for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes.

UNITED STATES CITIZENS

1. Independent Students

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. No student shall gain or acquire in-state classification while attending any post secondary educational institution in this state without clear evidence of having established domicile in Georgia for purposes other than attending a post secondary educational institution in this state.
2. If an independent student classified as in-state for tuition purposes relocates out of state temporarily but returns to the State of Georgia within 12 months of the relocation, such student shall be entitled to retain his or her in-state tuition classification.

2. Dependent Students

1. A dependent student shall be classified as in-state for tuition purposes if such 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 (a) the student has graduated from a Georgia high school; or (b) the parent claimed the student as a dependent on the parent’s most recent federal or state income tax return.
2. A dependent student shall be classified as in-state for tuition purposes if such student’s United States 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 such 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.
3. If the parent or United States court appointed legal guardian of a dependent student currently classified as in-state for tuition purposes establishes domicile outside of the State of Georgia after having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia, such student may retain his or her in-state tuition classification so long as such student remains continuously enrolled in a public post secondary educational institution in this state, regardless of the domicile of such student’s parent or United States court appointed legal guardian.

NON-US CITIZENS

A non-US citizen shall not be classified as in-state for tuition purposes unless the student is legally in this state and there is evidence to warrant consideration of in-state classification as determined by the Board of Regents. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or other eligible non-citizens 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 non-immigrant status conditioned at least in part upon intent not to abandon a foreign domicile shall not be eligible for in-state classification.

TUITION AND FEES

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION WAIVERS AND WAIVER OF MANDATORY FEES

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

An institution may award out‐of‐state tuition differential waivers and assess in‐state tuition for certain nonresidents of Georgia for the following reasons (under the following conditions):

1. Academic Common Market. 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.
5. Full-Time School Employees. Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver.
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, and the student(s) remain(s) continuously enrolled and the military sponsor remains on active military status;
• the military sponsor is reassigned out-of-state and the spouse and dependent children remain in Georgia and the sponsor remains on active military duty;
• or active military personnel and their spouse and dependent children who are stationed in a state contiguous to the Georgia border and who live in Georgia.

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 in time:

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

9. Border County Residents. Students domiciled in an out‐of‐state county bordering Georgia, enrolling in a program offered at a location approved by the Board of Regents and for which the offering institution has been granted permission to award Border County waivers.
10. Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists. Active members of the Georgia National Guard, stationed or assigned to Georgia or active members of a unit of the U.S. Military Reserves based in Georgia, and their spouses and their dependent children.
11. Students enrolled in 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. Terminated October 2008.
14. Students in ICAPP® Advantage programs. Any student participating in an ICAPP® Advantage program.
15. International and Domestic Exchange Programs. Any student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in an international or domestic 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 U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident who is a dependent or independent student and can provide clear evidence that the student or the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court appointed legal guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full‐time, self‐sustaining employment and has established domicile in the State of Georgia. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. For U.S. citizens or U.S. legal permanent residents, 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 an independent non‐citizen 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 employment reasons and not for the purpose of enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals would be required to show clear evidence of having taken legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Independent non‐citizen students may continue to receive this waiver as long as they maintain a valid employment‐related visa status and can demonstrate continued efforts to establish U.S. legal permanent residence and legal domicile in the State of Georgia. A dependent non‐citizen student who can provide clear evidence that the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian possesses a valid employment‐related visa status and can provide clear evidence of having relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full‐time, self‐sustaining employment is also eligible to receive this waiver. Relocation to the state must be for employment reasons and not for the purpose of enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals must be able to show clear evidence of having taken legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Non‐citizen students currently receiving a waiver who are dependents of a parent, spouse, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian possessing a valid employment‐related visa status may continue to receive this waiver as long as they can demonstrate that their parent, spouse, or U.S. court appointed legal guardian is maintaining full‐time, self‐sustaining employment in Georgia and is continuing efforts to pursue an adjustment of status to U.S. legal permanent resident and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia.
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 also be granted to their spouses and dependent children. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year.
18. Nonresident Student. As of the first day of classes for the term, a nonresident student can be considered for this waiver under the following conditions:

• Dependent Student. If the parent, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months and the student can provide clear and legal evidence showing the relationship to the parent 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. Under Georgia code legal guardianship must be established prior to the student’s 18th birthday.
• Independent Student. If the student can provide clear and legal evidence showing relations to the spouse and the spouse has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term. This waiver can remain in effect as long as the student remains continuously enrolled.

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 post-secondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent, spouse or U.S. court appointed legal guardian.

19. Vocational Rehabilitation Waiver. Students enrolled in a University System of Georgia institution based on a referral by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Georgia Department of Labor. 

TUITION CLASSIFICATION STATUS

Glossary of Terms

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 post-secondary 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.

ADDITIONAL RESIDENCE

Individuals who enter GSC 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 on-line 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 Office 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.