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International Students

WGTC is approved to accept international students entering or already residing in the United States under F visas for associate degree programs of study. Program offerings and approved campus locations are subject to change. Please check with the Admissions Office for updated information.

Admission Requirements

Submit a completed application for admission and non-refundable $20 application fee in U.S. currency by credit card, money order, or check drawn on a U.S. bank payable to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Submit official transcripts from your high school (or GED®) and all colleges attended. All transcripts must be received in envelopes sealed by the sending institution. Applicants with a college degree are not required to submit a high school or GED transcript. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluation service and sent directly to WGTC.

We recommend the following evaluation agencies:

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
(305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338
info@jsilny.com
www.jsilny.com

Lisano International
P.O. Box 407
Auburn, AL 36831-0407
(334) 745-0425
LisanoINTL@AOL.com
www.Lisano-INTL.com

World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 745
Old Chestnut Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
New York: 1-800-937-3895
Chicago: 1-800-937-3898
Miami: 1-800-937-3899
Washington DC: 1-800-937-3897
San Francisco: 1-800-414-0147
www.wes.org.

High school transcripts or diplomas should be evaluated by the document by document evaluation method. Students with college credit or a degree from a college or university outside the United States must submit a course by course evaluation of the transcript. Documents not in English need to be translated

Submit official scores from one of the following placement tests taken within the last 60 months: SAT, ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS.
If English is NOT your first language, and you are abroad, submit official score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A score of 500 or higher on the written test, 173 or higher on the computerized version, or a score of 61 on the internet version of TOEFL is required. The school institutional code for TOEFL is 6358. A valid SAT critical reading score of 460 or higher will be accepted in lieu of a TOEFL score.
Submit original financial documentation as required by the U.S. government. The school estimates it will cost $23,716 U.S. dollars to study at WGTC for one academic year consisting of two 16-week semesters and one 10-week semester. For one academic year:
- Tuition and Fees (estimated cost): $12,404 USD
- Books and Supplies (estimated cost): $1,600 USD
- Room and Board (estimated cost): $6989 USD
- Transportation (estimated cost): $2,279 USD
- Miscellaneous (estimated cost): $444 USD
The student or sponsor must provide a bank letter verifying a minimum of $23,716 USD is available to finance the first year of education. All bank correspondence should be written on official bank stationery and certified or notarized by an officer of the bank with the bank address and telephone number printed clearly. Financial documentation must be dated within the last three months, and funds must be stated in the U.S. currency equivalent. U.S. sponsors must complete the Form I-134 Affidavit of Support and have it properly notarized. Sponsors abroad are required to submit a Certificate of Finances form.

Important Information: Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will not accept faxed or photocopied documents as "official" documents.

Transfer Students

If you are currently attending a college or university in the United States and wish to transfer to WGTC, notify your school’s International Office of your desire to transfer. Ask them to fill out and sign the WGTC Transfer Clearance Form and send it to WGTC’s Admissions Office, International Department. The transfer clearance form is a notification procedure important to the process of transferring your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records to WGTC and the maintenance of your student status. Follow all admission procedures previously listed.

Change of Status

Students who need change-of-status or adjustment of immigration status to comply with government regulations should contact the Admissions Office, International Department, for advisement. The office can assist the eligible student with the change-of-status process and/or issue documents that enable the student to apply for a student visa.

Obtaining a Student VISA

When all academic and visa requirements are met, follow these steps to obtain a student visa:

Obtain Form I-20 and a letter of acceptance from the school.
Pay SEVIS I-901 Fee. Fee must be paid prior to the visa appointment with the U.S. Embassy. For payment options and further information, visit http://www.fmjfee.com/index.html. Student is required to bring a copy of the SEVIS fee payment receipt (showing proof of payment) to the visa interview.
Find the U.S. Embassy closest to your home at http://www.usembassy.gov/. Check the consular site to see if there are any special instructions for the consulate you will be visiting.
Make an appointment with the embassy for the visa interview.

Arrival Information

At the port-of-entry to the U.S., the student will be interviewed again and the Arrival/Departure Form I-94 will be issued. The earliest date of entry into the U.S. that is allowed is typically 30 days prior to the start date indicated on your Form I-20. The student will not be allowed entry into the U.S. beyond the start date. The student is required to notify the Admissions Office, International Department, of arrival and make an appointment to complete U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service requirements. An international student orientation will be provided before the term begins.

The Admissions Office, International Department, is the resource center for international students to obtain information and student services that are specific to international students. Questions concerning international admissions, visa advisement and documents, orientation, and any other issues related to the international student can be addressed to:

Admissions Office, International Department

4089 Val Tech Road
Valdosta, GA 31602 USA
Telephone: 229-293-6163
brooke.jaramillo@wiregrass.edu

All admission documents should be sent to the address above. Admission status of an applicant cannot be determined until the Admissions Office, International Department, has received all official documentation and has approved all documents for admission.

Housing Information for Students

WGTC does not maintain student housing. Please visit the Georgia Chamber of Commerce website to locate housing within our service area.

Summary of International Student Admission Steps

Academics

Submit a complete admissions packet to the Admissions Office. Packets include a completed application, $20 non-refundable application fee, sealed copies of official international and domestic transcripts or diplomas, and official copies of SAT, ACT, ASSET or COMPASS scores.
Documents sent to the college prior to submitting the application and required application fee should be re-sent. WGTC is not responsible for documents mailed for non-applicants.
Sealed translation and evaluation of international high school transcripts/diplomas (document-by-document evaluation method)
Sealed translation and evaluation of international college transcripts/diplomas (course-by-course evaluation method)

Immigration F VISA Applicants

TOEFL scores (if English is not your native or official language) or SAT Critical Reading score of 460 or higher
Certified or notarized bank letter on official bank stationery in the amount of $23,716 USD (must be dated within the last 3 months)
Affidavit of Support or Certificate of Finances form
Completion of I-901 and payment of SEVIS fee.