Enrollment Information

Enrollment at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ensures that all community members have equal access to opportunities that develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for fulfilling, productive careers. The college’s enrollment policies and procedures are designed to:

• Be nondiscriminatory based on race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, genetic information, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran status, Vietnam War veteran status, or citizenship status (except in specific circumstances permitted or mandated by law).

• Expand opportunities for prospective students.

• Complement the college’s instructional programs.

• Support the timely processing of applications and admissions.

Enrollment Process

Enrollment at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a multi-step process, including application, evaluation of prior academic experience, and verification of lawful presence in the United States.

1. Complete an Application for Admission or Readmission.

2. Pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 application fee for new, transfer, or transient students.

3. Submit a government-issued ID or Driver’s License for proof of lawful presence. Alternative documentation is available. Students seeking in-state tuition may be required to submit additional documents.

4. Submit prior postsecondary transcripts for transfer credit (optional). Note: Transcripts may be required for Financial Aid processing.

5. Evaluation of academic readiness for degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs.

Eligibility for Enrollment:

• Applicants must be at least 16 years old, or a dually enrolled high school student. Some programs may have higher age requirements—please refer to specific program guidelines.

• Applicants must be physically capable of attending school regularly, whether on-campus or online, and perform the essential functions of the occupation they are training for. Certain programs may require physical exams, lab tests, and immunizations before clinical training or equipment use.

Enrollment Type

Applicants must apply to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College under the category that best fits their situation:

• Beginning Student: First-time college student or former Dual Enrollment student who has not attended college since high school graduation.

• Transfer Student: Previously attended other colleges/universities, but not Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

• Returning Student: Previously enrolled at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta Technical College, or East Central Technical College. Returning students who have not attended for three or more semesters must submit a new application.

• Transient Student: Enrolled at another regionally accredited institution and wishes to take courses at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College for transfer back to their home institution.

• Dual Enrollment Student: High school student approved to enroll in courses at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College while still in high school.

Admissions Procedure

Academic Readiness

To be admitted to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, applicants must meet one of the following academic readiness criteria:

1. High School Transcript: Submission of an official transcript showing the student meets state educational requirements.
   1. Diplomas must be issued by a state-recognized institution.
   2. Diplomas from foreign institutions must be translated and evaluated by an approved organization.
   3. High school certificates of attendance or other credentials, where the student did not complete all required coursework or testing for a high school diploma, are only accepted for programs that do not require a high school diploma or equivalency.
   4. Students who secure their spot through the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) portal may be admitted under a Pending Placement status, meaning their admission is contingent upon meeting specific placement or readiness requirements.
2. High School Equivalency: A transcript showing completion of a recognized high school equivalency program (e.g., GED, HiSET).

3. College Transcript: Submission of transcripts showing completion of at least 12 semester hours of college coursework from an accredited institution or successful completion of a college-level math and English course.

4. Home Schooled Students, Accredited Program: Annual progress reports or a final transcript for the equivalent of the homeschooled student’s junior and senior years. The final progress report or transcript must include the graduation date.

5. Home Schooled or High SchoStudents, Non-Accredited Program: Submission of official scores from an assessment instrument meeting the college's established required minimums or successful completion of 12 hours of college coursework for credit that appear on an official college transcript..

6. Service Members: Official military documentation (i.e., DD Form 214) showing high school completion or equivalent.

*Exceptions to requirements 1 or 2 include those students seeking enrollment into an approved Basic Workforce Certificate that does not require a high school diploma or equivalency for admission. See the WGTC Website for more information.

The President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has the right to waive the high school diploma/high school equivalency requirement for those pursuing a high school equivalency who are otherwise eligible to enroll in a specific program of study. The President may also waive the high school diploma/equivalency requirement for those participating in a TCSG-approved Workforce Development course/cohort.

Please note: Meeting the academic readiness criteria does not automatically guarantee enrollment into the applicant’s chosen program of study. Admission is based on additional factors such as program capacity, prerequisites, and availability of spots in the program.

Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States

All applicants must provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S. for consideration for in-state tuition. The following documents will serve as proof of lawful presence in the United States. Documentation will be required before becoming eligible for consideration of in-state tuition:

• A valid state-issued ID or Driver’s License.

  • Unexpired Georgia and select out-of-state Driver’s Licenses and state ID cards can be accepted under certain conditions.

  • It must be a Real ID and cannot contain any of the verbiage listed in the chart below.

  • If the copy received has the top portion of the card cut off, the document will not satisfy lawful presence.

• Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid will have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.

• A clear copy of an original or certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory.

  • A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240).

  • The copy must very clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable.

• A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).

• A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).

• A current U.S. Passport.

• A current military ID (service member only, not dependent).

  • Documented using the Confirmation of Review of Military ID Worksheet. A photocopy is not acceptable.

• A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551).

  • Both the front and back sides of the Permanent Resident Card must be submitted.

  • The card must not expire before the first day of class for the term the student will start classes.

• Students admitted on an F, J, or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

• Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.

State ID Requirements

Any student who cannot be verified as lawfully present in the United States is not eligible to be considered for in-state tuition, regardless of how long the student has lived in Georgia. In addition to being lawfully present in the United States, students must meet the in-state tuition requirements as outlined in TCSG Board Policy and Procedure V.B.3 to warrant an in-state classification. Students who are initially classified as out-of-state and successfully petition to have their residency changed to in-state must also meet the lawful presence verification requirement.

Residency Requirement

While residency in the State of Georgia is not required for enrollment, it is required for students seeking in-state tuition rates. A student’s legal residence determines the tuition rate paid. Residency also affects financial aid eligibility. Students are classified into one of three residency categories: in-state, out-of-state, or non-citizen.

• In-State: Students who are lawfully documented residents of the United States and otherwise qualify as Georgia residents shall pay tuition and fees as prescribed by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) for in-state students.

• Out-of-State: Students who are lawfully documented residents of the United States but do not qualify as Georgia residents shall pay tuition at a rate of twice that charged to in-state students, plus applicable fees. Some students may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition exemption. Please visit the One-Stop Enrollment and Success Center for a list of possible exemptions.

• International/Non-Resident: Students who are lawfully documented residents of a country other than the United States shall pay tuition at a rate four times that charged to in-state students, plus applicable fees.

• Military: Active duty military members and their eligible dependents who qualify for an out-of-state exemption.

• Senior Citizen: Georgia residents who are 62 years of age or older and have requested a tuition waiver. Requires regular program admission. Students pay applicable fees. Note: Senior Citizen Residency students may not take a spot in a waitlisted program from a tuition-paying student.

• Veteran/Separated Military: Former service members and their eligible dependents who enroll within 36 months of separation from service and intend to domicile in Georgia.

Residency Documentation

Georgia residency documentation may be required, in addition to lawful presence verification, for students seeking in-state tuition. Documentation must demonstrate that the student and/or parent or guardian lived in Georgia for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the start of the term. Proving residency may require submission of more than one of the following items:

Independent Students

Students who are 24 years of age or older, or students under the age of 24 who were not claimed on a parent or legal guardian’s most recent tax return, must provide at least one of the following documents to establish residency. Additional documentation may be required.

• Most recent Georgia income tax return (GA Tax Form 500)

• A valid Georgia driver’s license or state ID issued at least one year prior to the first day of class

• Georgia voter registration card showing registration at least 12 months prior to the start of the term (available at My Voter’s Page)

• Location of employment (12 consecutive months of pay stubs listing the student’s address)

• Current business, professional, or other licenses issued in Georgia (must meet 12-month requirement)

• Georgia automobile registration (current and previous year)

• Proof of purchase or rental of a primary residence in Georgia (property tax statement or lease agreement)

• Utility bills in the student’s name showing 12 consecutive months of service (cell phone bills are not accepted)

• Bank account statements showing 12 consecutive months of activity with the student’s Georgia address

Dependent Students

Students who are 23 years of age or younger and claimed on a parent or legal guardian’s most recent tax return must provide documentation showing that the parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence (domicile) in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the term. Both of the following items are required:

1. A copy of the student’s current driver’s license or state ID card;
2. A copy of the parent or legal guardian’s most recent Georgia income tax return (GA Tax Form 500) showing the student was claimed as a dependent.

If the parent or guardian did not file a Georgia income tax return for the most recent year, the following documentation is required to prove they have maintained a permanent residence in Georgia for the past 12 consecutive months:

• A copy of the parent or guardian’s Georgia driver’s license; and

• One of the following items:

  • Georgia voter registration card showing registration 12 months or more prior to the start of the term (http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/ My Voter’s Page)

  • Location of employment (12 consecutive months of pay stubs with employee address)

  • Current business, professional, or other licenses issued in Georgia (12-month requirement)

  • Georgia automobile registration (current and previous year)

  • Proof of purchase or rental of primary residence in Georgia (property tax paid or lease agreement)

  • Utility bills in the parent or guardian’s name showing 12 consecutive months of charges (cell phone bills not accepted)

  • Location of checking, savings, or other bank accounts (12 consecutive months of bank statements with parent or guardian’s address)

Placement Procedure

Placement Categories

• Pending Placement Status (High School Seniors only – including Georgia Match)
  • Applicants who are in their final year of high school and are applying for a college term immediately after graduation will be granted Pending Placement Status. The following specifics define the parameters of this status:
    • Applicants must submit a transcript showing they are on track to complete all required high school courses before the semester they wish to enroll.
      • They will be allowed to register for courses once course placement requirements have been met.
• Transient Placement Status
  • Students who submit a Transient Agreement from their home institution will be granted Transient Placement Status. The Transient Agreement must verify that the student is in good standing. A current Transient Agreement is required for each term of enrollment.

Reenrollment After Academic Dismissal

Students who are on Academic Dismissal will be required to meet with their One-Stop Advisor during the term of their dismissal. In determining eligibility for reenrollment, the One-Stop Advisor will consider the following criteria:

• Prior enrollment data, including academic record, attendance, work ethic, conduct, input from instructors, and other staff.

• Prospects for successful completion of the program.

• Unusual or mitigating circumstances.

Upon review, students may be allowed to return on probation after sitting out one semester. As a condition of returning on probation, the One-Stop Advisor may recommend restrictions such as no future online classes, career counseling, career assessments in the Testing Center, a limit on maximum credit hours, or any other actions deemed to be in the best academic interest of the student. Recommendations from the One-Stop Advisor, where applicable, must be met prior to re-admittance. Students may not be eligible for financial aid until they have successfully passed the required credits, after which financial aid eligibility will be reviewed upon request. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress.)

Upon reenrollment, the student must attain a minimum 2.0 GPA for the semester and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher to return to satisfactory academic standing. Failure to meet this requirement will result in subsequent dismissal.

Reenrollment After Disciplinary Dismissal

A student who was dismissed for disciplinary reasons under the student code of conduct procedures outlined in the catalog (see General Policies and Procedures) must complete all requirements imposed as part of their sanctions. The welfare and safety of the student body and staff will be considered when sanctions are imposed.

Enrollment Appeal

Students who believe that their enrollment decision is unfair or has been administered in error may appeal directly to the Dean for Student Success and Enrollment Services. If the applicant and the Dean for Student Success and Enrollment Services cannot reach an agreement, the applicant may appeal to the Vice President for Enrollment Management or his/her designee.

Transient Status for Wiregrass Students

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students wishing to take a course at another accredited postsecondary institution to be applied toward their program of study at Wiregrass should follow these steps:

1. Complete a Transient Agreement Form with the Office of the Registrar at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. This form must be completed each semester in which the student plans to enroll. Students must be in Good Academic Standing at WGTC.

2. Courses must be approved by the Dean for Student Success and Enrollment Services.

3. Financial Aid must provide approval before the Transient Agreement Form can be sent to the other college, or the student must agree to pay for courses out of pocket.

4. The student must be considered a current WGTC student or have enrollment at WGTC within the last year to apply for transient status.