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Admissions Information

The Technical College System of Georgia and its constituent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, spouse of military member or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all technical college-administered programs, programs financed by the federal government including any Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) Title I financed programs, educational programs and activities, including admissions, scholarships and loans , student life, and athletics. It also encompasses the recruitment and employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services.

The Technical College System and Technical Colleges shall promote the realization of equal opportunity through a positive continuing program of specific practices designed to ensure the full realization of equal opportunity. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

  • Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX (Employees) - Dr. Leslie Crickenberger, Executive Director of Human Resources, (706) 583-2818, lcrickenberger@athenstech.edu, Room J-211B, Athens Campus, 800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601
  • Title IX (Students) - Andrea Daniel, Vice President for Student Affairs, (706) 355-5124, adaniel@athenstech.edu, Room H-774, Athens Campus, 800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601
  • Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Keli Fewox, Director of Student Support Services and Career Development, (706) 355-5081, kfewox@athenstech.edu, Room H-749, Athens Campus, 800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601

Individuals also may obtain instructions and procedures for informal and formal complaints applicable to any of the above laws from the officials designated above. Laws prohibit retaliation against any complainant. Call 1-800-421-3481 to obtain additional information.

Early Application Deadlines

To expedite the admissions process, applicants should submit all required admission materials for the specified academic terms by the dates indicated below:

Fall SemesterJuly 1
Spring SemesterNovember 1
Summer SemesterApril 1

The Admissions Office staff will process complete application packets received by these dates first. They will then process complete packets received after these dates in the order applicants submit them and as time permits. Applicants who submit their admissions packets after the early application deadline may not be eligible to register for classes until the late registration period. Anyone who registers for classes during the late registration period must pay a $45 late registration fee. Financial aid benefits will not cover the late registration fee; therefore, students must pay this fee with personal funds. Complete application packets must include the following items:

  1. Signed admission application with all fields completed
  2. $20 nonrefundable application fee
  3. Official high school or GED transcripts
  4. Official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past
  5. Valid placement test scores (COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT) that are less than five years old on the early application deadline
  6. Documentation of Lawful Presence and Residency

The section on General Admission Requirements provides detailed information about what constitutes a complete application packet.

Selective Admission Programs Application Deadlines

Applicants to selective admission programs must meet additional requirements to receive consideration for admission to those programs. Prospective students should refer to the section on Admission Processes for Selective Admission Programs and to the Curriculum section of this catalog for program-specific admission requirements.

Applicants to the following programs must submit all required documentation to the Admissions Office prior to the established dates listed below in order to receive consideration for admission:

Program File Completion Date Semester Program Begins
Dental AssistingMarch 1Summer
Dental HygieneJanuary 1Fall
Diagnostic Medical Sonography February 1, 2012Summer 2012
 September 1, 2013Spring 2014
Emergency Medical Technician June 15Fall
Health Information TechnologyMay 1Fall
 September 1Spring
Medical AssistingMay 15Fall
 October 15Spring
NursingFebruary 1Fall
Nursing Accelerated OptionFebruary 1Summer
Paramedic TechnologyJune 15Fall

Program File Completion Date Semester Program Begins
Patient Care AssistingJune 1Fall
 December 1Spring
 April 1Summer
Phlebotomy TechnicianJune 1Fall
 September 1Spring
Physical Therapist AssistantJune 1Fall
Practical NursingJuly 1Spring
RadiographyJune 1Fall
Surgical TechnologyJune 1Spring
Veterinary TechnologyJune 1Fall

Eligible Applicants

Individuals 16 years of age or older are eligible for admission to Athens Technical College. The president of the college may waive the age requirement for secondary students who are participating in articulated programs of study. Age requirements for certain programs may be different because of professional accreditation standards or because of applicable state or federal laws. Consult the Curriculum section for specific age requirements for each program of study.

General Admission Requirements1

This section lists the general requirements for admission to technical certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs of study available at Athens Technical College. (Applicants should submit all required documentation as listed in this section to the staff at the campus they plan to attend the majority of their classes). Refer to the Curriculum section for specific admission requirements for individual programs of study. Applicants who have additional questions should contact the Admissions Office staff at the Athens Campus, Elbert County Campus, or Walton County Campus to schedule an appointment. They may also contact the manager of the Greene County Campus. To gain admission to Athens Technical College, applicants must complete the following steps:

  1. Admissions Application and Application Fee

    All applicants must submit a complete admissions application with a nonrefundable $20 application fee. The admissions application is available on the college website (www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Admissions Process). The link to the admissions application is listed under Student Services Forms on the Admissions Process page. The Admissions Office staff will not process applications received without the mandatory application fee. Include applicant's name on checks or money orders so the Business Office will credit the proper applicant account.

  2. Official2 High School Transcripts

    Applicants must be high school graduates or have earned the GED to gain admission to the college. Applicants must have graduated from a secondary school that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), Georgia Accrediting Commission, Georgia Association of Christian Schools, Association of Christian Schools International, Georgia Private School Accreditation Council, Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, Southern Association of Independent Schools, Distance Education Training Council, the Florida Council of Independent Schools, or a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education.

    Applicants who have not completed at least 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit hours of study at one or more colleges must submit official high school transcripts or official transcripts of GED test scores. The Admissions Office staff must receive these documents before they can process applications. High school seniors must submit transcripts showing their high school enrollment when they submit an application for admission to the college. However, high school seniors must submit a second official transcript once they graduate from high school in order to document the actual graduation date.

    High school special education diplomas and certificates of attendance are not recognized for admission purposes. Applicants who received high school special education diplomas or certificates of attendance or who graduate from non-accredited high schools must earn the GED credential to gain consideration for admission to the college.

    The president of the college may waive this requirement for secondary students participating in dual/joint enrollment programs.

  3. Official 2 College Transcripts

    Applicants who attended one or more colleges prior to applying for admission to Athens Technical College must submit official transcripts from each college they attended in the past to the ATC Admissions Office. Applicants enrolled at other colleges when they submit applications for admission to Athens Technical College must send official transcripts showing the courses they are taking at that time. These applicants must submit official transcripts again to document the final grades issued for those courses.

    Applicants who previously attended out-of-state colleges must provide applicable course descriptions before the executive director of registration and records can evaluate transcripts from those colleges. The executive director of registration and records will not evaluate transcripts for transfer credit until the Admissions Office receives transcripts from all colleges previously attended by the applicant.

  4. Placement Test Scores

    Applicants may need to submit placement test scores as part of the admissions process. Prospective students may submit official copies of COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT scores, provided they took the test within five years of the early application deadline (see Early Application Deadline). Applicants seeking admission to associate degree programs, diploma programs, and technical certificates of credit must have minimum SAT scores of 450 critical reading and 450 math or minimum ACT scores of 16 English, 19 math, and 18 reading.

    Applicants who submit scores lower than the minimums stated above or who have not taken the SAT or ACT within five years of the early application deadline must take the COMPASS or ASSET placement examination or submit official copies of COMPASS or ASSET test scores from another college (see COMPASS AND ASSET Placement Examinations).

    Applicants who successfully complete equivalent program-level English and/or mathematics or who have earned an associate degree or higher credential at another postsecondary institution will not be required to submit placement test scores provided they submit official transcripts at the same time they submit their application for admission. International students who apply to the college must take the placement test in order to determine proficiency in reading and writing.

  5. Resident Alien Card

    Applicants who hold green cards or who qualify under refugee or asylee status must submit photocopies of their resident alien cards as part of the admissions application packet. These students must also provide additional documentation as outlined in the section on International Student Admission.

  6. Admissions Notification Letter

    Once applicants' files are complete, the Admissions Office staff will process the admissions packets and notify applicants in writing of their admission status. New students must bring their letter of acceptance to initial advisement and registration sessions.

  7. Financial Aid Application

    Applicants for financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov at least four weeks prior to the early admission application deadline of the semester for which they seek admission (see Financial Aid). Applicants who do not submit financial aid applications by the appropriate deadline will be personally responsible for paying tuition and fees at the time of registration. Prospective students receiving financial assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA) are personally responsible for paying tuition and fees at the time of registration.

  8. New Student Orientation

    All newly accepted students must complete the New Student orientation, which is available online (www.athenstech.edu); select (Current Students and then Orientation). Additional information on ways to complete the orientation is available at this site. The orientation introduces new students to college policies and procedures.

  9. New Student Registration

    All newly accepted students will receive information from the Office of Admissions on the dates, times, and locations for new student registration. Students must bring their acceptance letter and a printout of the confirmation email that they have successfully completed New Student Orientation in order to meet with an advisor and to complete the registration process.

  10. Proof of Residency and Lawful Presence

    The Admissions Office must code every new or returning student (beginning January 1, 2012) as out-of-state. Once the student provides the verification documentation, he/she may be changed to in-state. However, remember TCSG's residency policy still states a student must be a resident of Georgia for 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of the term to be awarded in-state tuition. This law does not change this policy.

  11. Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States

    Effective January 1, 2012, all students applying for in-state tuition must provide validation of lawful presence in the United States. The following documents will serve as proof of lawful presence in the United States and one will be required before you are eligible for consideration of in-state tuition:

    • A current Driver's License issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008
    • A current ID issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008
    • A Driver's License or ID issued by a state that verifies immigration status and only issues to persons lawfully present in the United States. See list of compliant states at law.ga.gov
    • A certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. A photocopy is not acceptable
    • An approved completed FAFSA for the current financial aid year.
    • A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form 1-151 or 1-551)
    • A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Aboard (FS-240)
    • A current U.S. Passport
    • A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561)
    • A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570)

    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 he or she 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 that are initially classified as out-of-state, and successfully petition to have their residency changed to in-state also have to meet the verification requirement.

Provisional/Learning Support Admission

The Admissions Office staff will admit applicants who do not meet the minimum placement examination requirements for regular program admission as provisional (see COMPASS AND ASSET Placement Examinations). Provisional admission signifies that students must complete learning support coursework in only one area (English, mathematics, or reading). Provisional admission signifies that students must complete learning support coursework in only one area (English, mathematics, or reading). Provisionally admitted students may enroll in learning support classes and program-specific courses provided they have met course prerequisites. The college encourages provisionally admitted students to enroll in COLL 0099 - College Success Skills as part of their prescribed learning support coursework.

Learning support admission signifies that students must complete learning support coursework in two or more areas (English, mathematics, and/or reading). Applicants admitted on learning support status may take only learning support courses until they reach provisional admission status. Learning support students are required to take COLL 0099 ? College Success Skills preferably during the first semester of enrollment, but no later than the second semester of enrollment.

The learning support curriculum assists students develop the basic math, reading, language, and college success skills that are essential for academic achievement. Students may elect to take learning support courses at their own expense if they need to improve their basic skills. Those students who fail to meet minimum entrance requirements must enroll in prescribed learning support courses. Students must receive a minimum grade of C* in their learning support courses to progress to the next course and to gain regular program admission. A grade of C* provides evidence that students have the basic English, reading, and/or math skills needed to succeed in their programs of study.

Special Admission

Occasionally, individuals may wish to enroll in courses for personal, consumer, or occupational purposes without receiving a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Special admission students must complete the formal admission process as described in General Admission Requirements. Students may apply only 25 hours of coursework taken as special admission students toward the graduation requirements of associate degree, diploma, or certificate programs. Special admission students who later decide to pursue a credential must retake all courses completed after the 25-hour limit.

The Admissions Office staff also admits applicants as special admission students if they complete the formal admission process as described in General Admission Requirements but do not declare a program of study on their applications. Special admission students do not qualify for financial aid.

Admission Processes for Selective Admission Programs

Because admission to Health Information Technology and programs in the Division of Life Sciences is competitive, applicants seeking admission to those programs must satisfy additional criteria not included in the section on General Admission Requirements. Applicants must submit all required documentation prior to the application deadlines listed for those programs in order to receive consideration for admission (see Health Application Deadlines).

Applicants who are on academic probation or are academically dismissed from the college as of the application deadline will not be considered for admission to a selective admission program. Furthermore, only in the event that the program slots cannot be filled with Georgia residents who meet the minimum admissions criteria can out-of-state students be admitted to a selective admission program.

The pre-admission examination scores listed for each measure are the minimum applicants must obtain in order to receive consideration for admission to any of the health-related programs of study. Actual scores of those selected may be higher than the stated minimums. Applicants not selected for admission to these programs must reapply prior to the next application deadline for the program in order to have their application materials considered during the next selection period. Applicants not selected should meet with a member of the program faculty to discuss ways to improve their candidacy or discuss with an Admissions counselor other educational options. Applicants interested in the programs offered in the Division of Life Sciences should attend a life sciences information session. Representatives from various life sciences programs hold separate information sessions immediately after the life sciences information sessions. Information on dates and times of the information session are available online (www.athenstech.edu; select the Health Care Program Info Sessions icon on the lower, right side of the college's home page). Prospective students also may call (706) 355-5005 for additional information. Applicants may request this information by sending an email to admissions@athenstech.edu.

The Admissions Office staff admits health-related program applicants to the college without admitting them to their desired program of study. Enrollment in the college (but not in the program) allows students to complete any learning support classes and required general core and health core courses prior to admission to specific health-related programs of study. This process does not guarantee that students will gain admission to their program of choice. The Admissions Office staff admits applicants to the college as Health Care Science program students/applicants for competitive associate degree-level programs or Health Care Assistant program students/applicants for competitive diploma-level programs. During the competitive admissions process, preference will be given to students who have completed the Healthcare Assistant TCC.

Applicants to selective admission health programs should consult the "Program of Study" listings in the online college catalog for specific admission requirements for their chosen program.

Transfer Credit for Life Sciences Programs

The executive director of registration and records does not automatically award transfer credit for courses specific to Life Sciences programs in Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nursing, Paramedic Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiography, Surgical Technology, and Veterinary Technology. The executive director of registration and records consults with faculty from those programs to determine transfer credit based on course competencies and date of completion (typically within two to five years). Applicants transferring to ATC from other colleges should review the section on Credit by Transfer in the Academic Information section of this publication for additional information.

Transfer Student Admission

Athens Technical College will honor any current academic sanctions imposed on applicants by the colleges they last attended. The Admissions Office staff classifies transferring applicants as being in good academic standing if their last college did not impose any academic sanctions. The Admissions Office staff classifies transferring applicants as being on probation if their last college placed them on probation, or if their GPA is below a 2.0. Students on academic dismissal at their previous college must meet the requirements for re-entry to that college before they are eligible for admission to ATC. Once those requirements are met, the Admissions Office staff will admit these applicants on a probationary basis.

Applicants admitted on a probationary basis must attain a minimum 2.0 grade point average during their first semester of enrollment at Athens Technical College in order to remove themselves from probation. Otherwise, they will be dismissed from the college (see Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal). Students admitted to the college on a probationary basis should complete COLL 0099 - College Success Skills during their first semester of enrollment.

Transient Student Admission

Students enrolled at other colleges and universities may occasionally wish to take one or more courses at Athens Technical College and transfer the credit to their home institutions. Transient admission is for one semester only; transient students must submit transient letters from their home colleges each semester they plan to enroll in courses at ATC. Students who have been academically dismissed from their home institutions are ineligible for transient student status at Athens Technical College. The Admissions Office staff will award transient status to applicants who complete the following steps:

  • Obtain letters of transient approval from their home institutions that indicate their academic standing and the courses approved for enrollment (Other­wise, applicants seeking transient student status at Athens Technical College must provide official transcripts from their home institutions.)
  • Complete and submit the ATC application for admission and the nonrefundable $20 application fee (Students applying for transient status for a second or subsequent time will only pay a $10 readmission fee.)
  • Submit financial aid transient letters from the home colleges to the Financial Aid Office at Athens Technical college (if applicable)
  • Complete and submit transient course request forms to the Admissions Office to receive clearance for registration
  • Obtain approval to take online classes, if applicable (see Advisement for Online Classes)
  • Register online for the approved courses during the scheduled transient student registration period (see the Online Registration Procedures in the Returning Student Registration section for directions on completing the online registration process)
  • Pay tuition and fees either online or to the cashier by the payment deadline

The Financial Aid staff automatically covers tuition and fees of transient students who submit HOPE transient letters to the ATC Financial Aid Office prior to the day transient students register for classes.

After completing courses, transient students must pay the $5 transcript fee in order to have official transcripts sent to their home institutions. They must submit completed and signed transcript request forms and the payment receipts to the Office of Registration and Records. The executive director of registration and records will process transcript request forms and mail official transcripts to transient students' home institutions after all instructors submit all grades for all students for that term.

Athens Technical College does not guarantee enrollment to transient students. Transient students may enroll in classes if space is available. If a home institution does not provide a transient letter which specifies the courses transient students are to take while enrolled at Athens Technical College, the transient students must provide a current transcript from their home institution to demonstrate that they have met the course prerequisites as established by the faculty of Athens Technical College. Transient students are not eligible to register for courses for which they have not met the prerequisite requirements. They must also satisfy corequisite requirements as specified in the Course Description section of this publication.

ACCEL Program Admission

The ACCEL program is a state-funded dual enrollment program administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). This program provides eligible juniors and seniors enrolled at public or private eligible high schools in Georgia the opportunity to earn college degree-level credit as they meet their high school graduation requirements.

To be eligible for ACCEL funds, high school students must enroll in associate degree-level courses approved by the Georgia Department of Education in the areas of the core graduation requirements for college preparatory students (English, mathematics, social studies, and science). The list of eligible courses is available at www.GAcollege411.org. Georgia residency and U.S. citizenship requirements for HOPE program eligibility apply to ACCEL award eligibility. The director of admissions or designee will determine the residency and citizenship eligibility of ACCEL participants. ACCEL applicants must also be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements.

    ACCEL applicants must complete the following steps in order to participate in this program:
  • Adhere to the ACCEL guidelines as developed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission
  • Choose courses approved by the Georgia Department of Education (as listed at www.GAcollege411.org)
  • Be at least 16 years old and classified as either a junior or senior pursuing a diploma from an eligible public or private high school in Georgia
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from one of their high school counselors
  • Review the ACCEL Enrollment Agreement to Participate and submit a completed ACCEL Enrollment Acknowledgment form with signatures of applicants, their parents/guardians, and their high school counselor
  • Complete, sign, and submit an application for admission
  • Submit official COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores

Applicants must gain regular admission status for associate degree-level coursework to participate in the ACCEL program. Applicants whose test scores place them in learning support coursework are not eligible for ACCEL. After gaining admission to Athens Technical College, high school students must complete the New Student Orientation, which is available online (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Orientation). ACCEL students must complete the orientation before they will be eligible to register for their first semester at the college.

The ACCEL program pays for tuition and most fees for eligible students. Degree-level college credits attempted by ACCEL students while in high school will not be included in the quarter or semester hours used to determine when students have reached the maximum number of hours for which they can receive payment from any combination of the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and ACCEL programs provided the students met the academic requirements to be a HOPE Scholar when they graduated from high school and were, therefore, eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship as entering first-year students. Furthermore, the attempted hours will not be included in the hours used to determine the maximum hours for which they can receive HOPE benefits if ACCEL students did not meet the requirements to be a HOPE Scholar when they graduated from high school and were, therefore, ineligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship as entering first-year students (see ACCEL Guidelines on the www.gacollege411.org website).

Transportation and other expenses are the responsibility of the students. Students are responsible for items that are not covered by the ACCEL program, including all books, supplies, and equipment. It is mandatory that students purchase the books, supplies, and equipment required by the college instructor.

The ACCEL Program Application for Financial Aid must be completed online and renewed each semester high school students wish to enroll in ACCEL courses at Athens Technical College. The application is available online at www.gacollege411.org. Select Applications & Transcripts and then ACCEL Program in the right-hand column. The application has three parts:

  • Part 1 to be completed by the student and the parent or guardian (Financial aid staff uses this section to check general information and basic requirements for ACCEL and state financial aid).
  • Part 2 to be completed by the student's high school counselor (This section is used to confirm that the student will be given high school credit for specific postsecondary courses).
  • Part 3 to be completed by the financial aid staff at the college (The staff uses this section to confirm that the student is enrolled in the courses approved by the high school in Part 2).

Students must list all courses that they plan to enroll in for that particular semester. If any part of the online application is incomplete, wrong, or invalid, the financial aid staff will reject the application. Once an application is rejected, students must complete and submit the application again.

Dual Enrollment-HOPE Admission

The Dual Enrollment-HOPE program offers additional educational opportunities for motivated high school students to earn technical college credit as they meet their high school graduation requirements. High school students enrolling in this program are eligible to take required, non-general education courses within technical certificate or diploma programs. Georgia residency and U.S. citizenship requirements for HOPE program eligibility apply to Dual Enrollment-HOPE participants. Applicants must be in compliance with Selective Services registration requirements as well.

    Dual Enrollment-HOPE applicants must complete the following steps in order to participate in this program:
  1. Be at least 16 years of age and have successfully completed the ninth grade
  2. Submit official high school transcripts indicating a minimum high school grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
  3. Submit a letter of recommendation from one of their high school counselors
  4. Review the Dual Enrollment Agreement to Participate and submit a completed Dual Enrollment Acknowledgement Form with signatures of applicants, their parents/guardians, and high school counselor
  5. Complete, sign, and submit the college's application for admission
  6. Submit official COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores

Some technical certificate and diploma programs of study require students to be over the age of 16 to enroll in coursework associated with those programs. See the Curriculum section of this publication for specific age requirements. Applicants for the Dual Enrollment-HOPE program must gain regular admission status to participate. Applicants whose test scores place them in learning support coursework are not eligible to participate in this program.

After gaining admission to Athens Technical College, Dual Enrollment-HOPE students must complete the New Student Orientation, which is available online at (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Orientation). Dual Enrollment-HOPE students must complete the orientation before they will be eligible to register for their first semester at the college.

The credit hours attempted by Dual Enrollment-HOPE students while in high school are not used to determine when students have reached the maximum number of hours for which they can receive payment from any combination of the HOPE Grant and the HOPE Scholarship programs.

Transportation and other expenses are the responsibility of the student. Students are responsible for items that are not covered by the Dual Enrollment-HOPE Grant, including all books, supplies, and equipment. It is mandatory that students purchase the books, supplies, and equipment required by the college instructor. Students will also be responsible for paying the tuition and other expenses for courses that are not required in their program of study.

Dual enrollment students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to receive financial aid through the Dual Enrollment-HOPE Grant program. This application must be completed and renewed each academic year. (The FAFSA year at Athens Technical College begins with fall semester and continues through spring semester.) The application is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

When completing the financial aid application, students will be required to provide student and parental information, including income tax information. The FAFSA is used to check general information and basic eligibility requirements for the Dual Enrollment-HOPE Grant program. If the FAFSA is incomplete, the college's financial aid staff will automatically send students a letter or email requesting the required information or documentation.

Joint Enrollment Admission

Joint enrollment provides high school students the opportunity to take courses at public or private postsecondary institutions in Georgia while they are still enrolled at their high schools. They receive credit at the post­secondary institutions when they successfully complete coursework. Joint enrollment students do not earn credit to satisfy their high school graduation requirements. High school students wanting to enroll jointly at Athens Technical College must be at least 16 years old, have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.0, and submit the necessary documentation listed in the General Admission Requirements section of this publication.

Joint enrollment applicants must gain regular admission status to enroll at the college. High school students whose test scores place them in learning support coursework are not eligible to enroll jointly at the college. After gaining admission to Athens Technical College, joint enrollment students must complete the New Student Orientation, which is available online at www.athenstech.edu (select Current Students and then Orientation). Joint enrollment students must complete the orientation before they will be eligible to register for their first semester at the college.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission provides funding through the HOPE grant program for joint enrollment students who only take technical certificate or diploma-level courses at postsecondary institutions. Joint enrollment students are ineligible to receive financial assistance through the HOPE scholarship program. The credit hours attempted by joint enrollment students while in high school are used to determine the maximum hours for which the students can receive HOPE benefits.

Home-Schooling Admission

Students completing secondary programs of study that are not approved by the U.S. Department of Education or a recognized accreditation agency accepted by the Technical College System of Georgia may gain consideration for admission to Athens Technical College provided they obtain a GED or submit the following:

  1. Submit a letter from the local superintendent's office verifying that the parent or legal guardian notified the superintendent of the intent to home school their child
  2. Documentation verifying that the parent or legal guardian submitted the required attendance reports to the local superintendent's office on a monthly basis as required by O.C.G.A. §20-2-690
  3. Annual progress reports or final transcripts from the applicant's junior and senior years (final progress report should include the applicant's graduation date)
  4. Appropriate placement test scores required of applicants' programs of study (test scores must be less than five years old on the early application deadline date for the semester in which applicants seek admission to the college - see Early Application Deadlines
  5. Completed admission application with the nonrefundable application fee of $20

International Student Admission

Athens Technical College has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) School Certification Branch (SCB) to issue I-20 forms to students from foreign countries who wish to go to school at Athens Technical College. In the ATC admissions process, you are considered an international applicant if you are a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States. Students, who will need an F or M student visa, are required to apply under the international student admission requirements listed below and submit all items to the attention of the International Student Office. For more details on these admission requirements, applicants can visit the college website at www.athenstech.edu and click on International Students. Applicants with other immigration statuses will need to apply under general admission through the Admissions Office, but are welcome to contact the International Student office for assistance. To gain consideration for admission, applicants who will be seeking a student visa must:

  1. Submit the college's application for admission and the $20 nonrefundable application fee payable with U.S. currency, a credit card, money order or check issued by a bank in the United States
  2. Submit placement exam scores (COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT) that are less than five years old on the early application deadline date for the semester in which applicants seek admission to the college (see Early Application Deadlines). The minimum testing scores are SAT-450 for Verbal/Critical Reasoning and Math, ACT-18 Reading, 16 English, and 19 Math
  3. Provide official transcripts from your high school (or GED) and all colleges attended by the application deadline. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service
  4. The student or sponsor must provide documentation verifying a minimum of $17,403 USD is available to finance the first year of education and cost-of-living expenses
  5. Submit a photocopy of the page in your passport that shows your full name. (List your name on the application as it is written on your passport)
  6. If you are transferring to ATC from another college in the U.S., notify the DSO from the transfer-out college that you want to transfer your SEVIS record and submit a completed ATC Transfer Clearance Form. You must also provide a copy of your current I-20 form, I-94 form, and current visa

International applicants must use one of these college-approved credential evaluation service providers: Josef Silny and Associates, World Education Services Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators Inc., or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) International Education Services. Addresses, applications, and information on the companies approved to provide evaluation services of foreign transcripts are available in the Admissions Office. Applicants must pay the costs of having their credentials evaluated. At a minimum, applicants must have the equivalent of a high school diploma.

Technical College System of Georgia policy specifies that non-citizens cannot receive in-state or out-of-state tuition. In accordance with the Federal Title IV definition, non-citizen applicants are eligible for in-state and out-of-state tuition if they are a United States permanent resident with a permanent resident card (I-551); or a conditional permanent resident (I-551-C); or the hold of an arrival/departure record (I-94) from the United States Department of Homeland Security. The I-94 must include one of the following designations:

  1. Refugee
  2. Asylum granted
  3. Parolee (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and that the status has not expired)
  4. Victim of human trafficking
  5. T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.)
  6. Cuban-Haitian entrant

Persons with an F1 or F2 student visa, a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa do not meet the definition of an Eligible Non-Citizen.

After applicants submit this documentation, the Admissions Office will evaluate their application materials if space is available in programs. The college will assess tuition and fees at a rate that is four times the rate assessed for Georgia residents.

Change of Major

Students who plan to change majors must complete the Readmission Request/Program Change Form available from the Admissions Office and available on the college website (www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Admissions Process). The link to the form is at the bottom of this page. Students must also pay a $10 processing fee to the cashier each time they submit program change forms to the Admissions Office. The college will waive the $10 processing fee for students who gain admission to a selective admission program or who change from the diploma level to the associate degree level (or vice versa) in the same program content area.

Because admission to the health-related programs is selective, students wanting to change to a health major must satisfy additional criteria not included in the General Admission Requirements section of this publication and be selected for admission to the program (see Admission Processes for Selective Admission Programs). Students must obtain signatures of a staff member in the Financial Aid Office and a staff member in the Admissions Office before submitting program change forms to the Admissions Office. For program changes to become effective for the following semester, students must submit the completed forms to the Admissions Office by the dates indicated on the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar).

An Admissions counselor must review students' placement test scores each time they change majors or move from diploma level to associate degree level coursework. If scores are below the threshold needed for admission to the desired new programs of study, the Admissions Office may require students to retake the COMPASS or ASSET placement examination. Furthermore, students who do not achieve the minimum test scores needed for regular admission to their new programs must complete any prescribed learning support courses (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests).

Readmission

Students who do not enroll in classes for two consecutive semesters must apply for readmission to the college and pay a $10 readmission fee. Students who are involuntarily withdrawn from the college because of academic or disciplinary reasons must also apply for readmission to the college (see Academic Dismissal section). The readmission fee is waived for students who are involuntarily withdrawn from the college.

Students seeking readmission must submit a Readmission Request form, which is available from the Admissions Office on the Athens Campus, the Student Affairs Office on the Elbert County Campus, the Director's Office on the Walton County Campus, the Manager's Office at the Greene County Campus, or online at www.athenstech.edu-select Prospective Students and the Admissions Process. The link to the admissions application is listed under Student Services Forms on the Admissions Process page. Students who attended other colleges since they last attended Athens Technical College must submit transcripts from those colleges as part of the readmission process.

Applicants for readmission should return the completed readmission form to the Admissions Office on the Athens Campus, the Student Affairs Office on the Elbert County Campus, or the Director's Office on the Walton County Campus, or the Manager's Office at the Greene County Campus by the early application deadline for the semester applicants are seeking readmission (see Early Application Deadlines). The college will notify students in writing of their admission status and registration dates.

Readmission to Selective Admission Programs

When students in selective admission programs must withdraw from program course sequences for reasons beyond their control, they must submit letters to the Admissions Office and to the appropriate program chair stating the reasons for withdrawing and documenting their desire to gain readmission. They must also pay a $10 readmission fee. Students who attended other colleges since they last attended Athens Technical College must submit transcripts from those colleges as part of the readmission process.

If the reasons for withdrawal are medically related, students must submit to the appropriate program chair a letter from their physician(s) documenting that they are able to resume their classroom and clinical course schedule before the Admissions Selection Committee will consider the request for readmission. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and be in good academic standing to gain readmission. The Admissions Committee will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis.

Students who withdraw for academic or personal reasons that are not medically related may request readmission by completing the requirements stated in the individualized program of study plan (if applicable) and submitting a letter of request for readmission to the Admissions Office. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and be in good academic standing to gain readmission. The Admissions Selection Committee will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis. Readmission is contingent on space availability in the program; students who withdrew for health/medical reasons will receive priority.

If students have been out of the program course sequence for two years or longer, they may be required to reapply to the program and retake coursework at their own expense in order to update their knowledge and skills and improve their chances of success in their program. Prior to readmission to the program, students must meet with the appropriate program chair to discuss their reentry placement and to identify any course or additional requirements they must satisfy prior to reentering the course sequence.

COMPASS and ASSET

Placement Tests

Applicants who submit SAT or ACT scores below the minimum needed to gain regular admission status must take the complete COMPASS or ASSET examination. Applicants who successfully complete program-level English and/or mathematics at other postsecondary institutions will not need to submit placement test scores to gain admission to the college provided they submit official transcripts at the same time they send their application for admission to Athens Technical College.

The COMPASS and ASSET placement examinations provide information about an individual student's needs, skills, and plans as an important step in developing and implementing a sound program of study. The COMPASS placement examination is a computer-based, untimed examination developed by ACT to identify the basic skill levels of students as they enter college. It provides information about students' likelihood of success in particular courses and measures performance in reading, writing, pre-algebra, and algebra. The ASSET examination is similar to the COMPASS in that it measures performance in reading, writing, numerical skills, and elementary algebra. The ASSET is a paper-and-pencil test administered in a group setting. Applicants have 25 minutes to complete each section of the exam.

Staff members from the Office of Student Affairs administer the placement examination throughout the semester. Applicants will receive written notification of the specific date and time they are to take the placement examination. Those who are unable to test at their scheduled time will be mailed a list of remaining test dates to select another time to retest for the upcoming semester.

Applicants must present photo identification to gain entrance to the testing sessions. Furthermore, applicants who are late for the testing session will not be allowed into the testing session. The Admissions Office staff may admit applicants who do not achieve the minimum entrance examination scores needed for regular program admission as either provisional or learning support-admission students (see Provisional and Learning Support Admission).

Test prep sessions are available to students at the Athens, Elbert County, Greene County, and Walton County campuses on a regular basis. Information on dates and times of these test sessions is posted on each campus. Information on various test preparation materials is also available on the Testing Services link on the college's website.

Applicants who commit acts of academic dishonesty while taking the placement examination will be charged with violating the college's Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy).

Retesting Policy for the COMPASS AND ASSET

Students admitted to the college under the provisional or learning support admission status are eligible to retest one time only in each area after waiting a minimum of 30 days from the original test date. Before retesting, students admitted under the provisional or learning support admission status must complete the following steps:

  • Complete the retesting registration form from the college's website (www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Testing Services)
  • Pay the cashier a retesting fee of $15 for each section in which applicants plan to retest. Payment can also be made by phone by contacting the cashier on the Athens Campus at (706) 355-5121. Please note on the registration form if the retesting fee is paid by telephone)
  • At least 24 hours prior to the selected test date, submit copies of the registration form and evidence of payment to the testing office in H-749 on the Athens campus (706-583-2728), or to the admissions office on the Elbert County campus (706-213-2100), on the Greene County campus (706-453-7435), or on the Walton County campus (770-207-4080)

Students admitted under the provisional or learning support admission status who do not score in the regular admission range after being retested will be placed in the learning support course that corresponds to their highest current placement test score in the area being evaluated.

Applicants who retest and score in the adult education range in writing, reading, and/or numerical skills/pre-algebra will be referred to the adult education center in their county of residence for remedial work unless they are currently enrolled high school students. Applicants must wait a minimum of 30 days from their last test date before retaking any part of the COMPASS or ASSET placement examination even if they complete the required remediation sooner than the 30 day minimum. Applicants who score in the adult education range a second or subsequent time must complete the remedial process for Adult Education again before gaining eligibility to retest. (Detailed instructions are included on the Adult Education Retesting Registration Form under Testing Services at www.athenstech.edu).

Students who are currently enrolled in high school and are applying for programs and courses offered through the ACCEL, Dual Enrollment-HOPE, and Joint Enrollment programs must score in the regular admission range in all basic skills areas in order to gain admission to Athens Technical College. Students who score below that level must bring their scores up in any area of weakness before they can be considered for admission while in high school. Currently enrolled high school students applying for admission to the college as Dual Enrollment-HOPE, ACCEL, or Joint Enrollment students will be permitted to retest under the following policy:

Any currently enrolled high school student applying for Dual Enrollment or ACCEL admission to Athens Technical College who does not score in the Regular Admission range of performance on all basic skills areas on their original placement test will be allowed to retest in the identified area(s) of weakness as long as it has been a minimum of 30 days since the original test. Students are encouraged to engage in self-study prior to retest to improve their chances of success. The Testing Office has websites that might assist in a student's efforts to study.

After the first retest, if a high school student who is applying for Dual Enrollment or ACCEL fails to achieve the minimum scores in all required areas, the following policy will apply should they seek subsequent opportunities for retesting:

  1. It has been a minimum of 30 days since the last retest.
  2. The student did not score below the Adult Education level in two or more areas on the original tester on the first retest. That means on the COMPASS test the student earned at least a 15 in writing, a 49 in Reading, and a 21 in Pre-Algebra.
  3. The student has successfully completed all high school coursework for the semester during which the last retest was given. Successful completion is earning a minimum grade of C in all courses attempted that school term. The high school will need to provide official notification to the College verifying the student's successful performance for the semester in which the last retest was administered.

Upon meeting these requirements, high school students will be eligible to retest a subsequent time each semester as long as they remain eligible for Dual Enrollment or ACCEL admission to the College. Students should only sign up for retesting in those basic skills areas that do not fall within the regular admission range for the program they are seeking to complete.

High school seniors who are not applying for dual enrollment status will be permitted to retest after 30 days have passed since their original test date.

Selective Admission Examinations

Applicants to certain selective admission programs in health-related fields of study must take the National League for Nursing (NLN) pre-admission examination, the SAT, or the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET-V) in order to receive consideration for admission to their desired program of study. Test scores must be less than five years old at the time of the application deadline established for the specific program of study to which applicants are seeking admission. Applicants who commit acts of academic dishonesty while taking the selective admissions examination will be charged with violating the college's Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy).

Applicants to the Nursing program must take the NLN Pre-admission RN Examination to receive consideration for admission to that program. Applicants to the Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing programs must take the NLN Pre-admission PN Examination to receive consideration for admission to those programs. The NLN pre-admission examination assesses what applicants have learned to date. The test has three sections, all consisting of multiple-choice questions:

  • Verbal skills/reading comprehension - assesses word knowledge through sentence completion and reading comprehension and assesses the ability to draw conclusions, make inferences, and apply information to new situations
  • Mathematics - assesses arithmetic (integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages) and basic algebraic and geometric skills
  • Science - assesses knowledge of biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and health

Applicants to Medical Assisting, Nursing, and Practical Nursing are encouraged to take the NLN pre-admission examination after they successfully complete coursework in anatomy and physiology (ALHS 1011 at the diploma level or BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2114 at the associate degree level), English (ENGL 1010 at the diploma level or ENGL 1101 at the associate degree level), mathematics (MATH 1012 at the diploma level or MATH 1100, MATH 1101, MATH 1111, or MATH 1127 at the associate degree level), and other general core/education course requirements. Completing these courses prior to taking the NLN preadmission examination better prepares students for the content covered on the examination and may aid them in improving their test scores.

National League for Nursing policy recommends that test administrators not allow applicants to retake the NLN pre-admission examination any sooner than six months from the previous test date. Websites and other resources to prepare for the NLN pre-admission examination are available online at www.athenstech.edu.;Select Prospective Students and then Testing Services.

Applicants must register in advance with the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus in order to take the NLN pre-admission examination. To register, students must complete the following steps:

  • Determine the test date and registration deadline date for the NLN pre-admission examination
  • (This information is available online at www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Testing Services before clicking on Selective Admission Testing).
  • Download the NLN pre-admission registration form from the NLN Registration Link
  • Pay the cashier an NLN pre-admission examination testing fee of $60
  • Submit copies of the NLN pre-admission registration form and evidence that they have paid the $60 examination testing fee to the Testing Services Office in Room H-749 on the Athens Campus by the deadline for their selected date.

Applicants must show a driver's license or other photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the NLN pre-admission examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu.

Applicants to the Radiography and Veterinary Technology program must submit current SAT scores to be considered for admission to those programs. The SAT is primarily a multiple-choice test that measures developed critical reading/verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities related to successful performance in college. The SAT provides a standardized measure designed to supplement the secondary school record and other information about students in assessing their readiness for college-level work.

Educational Testing Services recommends that testing administrators allow applicants to competitive health programs to retake the institutionally administered SAT no sooner than six months from the previous test date. (Applicants cannot use scores earned on the institutionally administered version of the SAT to seek admission to other colleges). Restrictions on the frequency with which applicants can take the nationally administered SAT do not exist. Applicants interested in taking the nationally administered SAT can obtain additional information and suggested resources to prepare for the examination from the SAT website at www.collegeboard.org. Applicants must register in advance with the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus in order to take the SAT. To register, students must complete the following steps:

  • Determine the test date and registration deadline date for the SAT
  • (This information is available online (www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Testing Services before clicking Selective Admission Testing)
  • Download the SAT registration form from the link above
  • Pay the cashier an SAT testing fee of $60
  • Submit copies of the SAT registration form and evidence that they have paid the $60 examination testing fee to the Testing Services Office in Room H-749 on the Athens Campus by the appropriate deadline.

Applicants must show a driver's license or other photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the SAT examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu.

Applicants to the Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Information Technology, Phlebotomy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Surgical Technology programs must take the HOBET-V examination. This examination is a 209-minute, 170-item assessment consisting of questions in reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage.

Applicants must register in advance with the Testing Services Office on the Athens Campus in order to take the HOBET-V examination. To register, students must complete the following steps:

  • Determine the test date and registration deadline date for the HOBET-V examination
  • (This information is available online at www.athenstech.edu; select Prospective Students and then Testing Services before clicking on Selective Admission Testing)
  • Download the HOBET-V registration form from the HOBET-V Registration Link
  • Pay the cashier a HOBET-V examination testing fee of $60
  • Submit copies of the HOBET-V registration form and evidence that they have paid the $60 examination testing fee to the Testing Services Office in Room H-749 on the Athens Campus by the deadline for the test date selected.

Applicants must show a driver's license or other photo identification to gain entrance to the testing session. Additional information about the HOBET V examination is available by phone at (706) 583-2728 or by email at testing@athenstech.edu.

1 Students who are foreign, out-of-state, or over 62 years of age will be enrolled only on a space available basis and will not displace any students desiring to enroll who is a resident of the state of Georgia. See the Legal Residency Requirements in the section on Financial Aid for details.
2 Official means mailed directly from the releasing high school/college to the receiving college or hand-delivered in a sealed evelop from the releasing high school/college to the receiving college.