Georgia Residency Requirements

Legal residence in the State of Georgia requires not only recent physical presence in Georgia, but also the element of intent to remain indefinitely. Albany Technical College has the responsibility of evaluating each Admissions Application, while each student has the responsibility of conveying current and accurate residency information. This information is used in determining the appropriate fees to be paid by each student.

When applying for admission to ATC, an individual must indicate whether or not he/she is a legal resident of the State of Georgia, and for what period of time. To be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes, an individual who is 18 years of age or older must show that they have been a legal resident of Georgia for a period of no less than twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of class for the term they wish to enroll. Please refer to the Financial Aid section for Georgia residency requirements that are specific to Financial Aid eligibility, as those guidelines may differ from general College Admissions guidelines. When a question arises concerning legal residence, proof of intent to remain in Georgia indefinitely must be reviewed, with each case being considered unique and evaluated accordingly. Proof of intent to remain in Georgia indefinitely can be documented by a review of documentation such as driver’s license, voter registration card, automobile registration or other documents at the discretion of Albany Technical College.

A dependent student meets the Georgia residency requirements if his/her parent or guardian has established and maintained domicile in the state of Georgia for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding the first day of classes of school term for which the student is seeking in-state tuition. Military personnel and their dependents stationed in Georgia and on active duty are exceptions.

If a parent or legal guardian of a minor changes his/her legal residence in Georgia, a minor student may continue to take courses for a period of twelve consecutive months as an instate student. After the twelve-month period, the student may continue this registration only upon the payment of fees at the out-of-state rate.

In the event that a legal resident of Georgia is appointed as guardian of a nonresident minor, such minor will not be permitted to register as an in-state student until the expiration of one year from the date of court appointment, and then only upon proper evidence that such appointment was not made to avoid payment of out-of state fees.

Aliens shall be classified as non-resident students; however, an alien who is living in this country under an immigration document permitting indefinite or permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for in-state tuition as a citizen of the United States.

A student must petition the technical college if the student is asking for a change in residency status. Change in residency status for fee purposes is not automatic. Change in residency status requests should be directed to the Admissions Office.

Exceptions To Georgia Residency Requirements

Students meeting the following exceptions are considered as in-state residents, and therefore qualify for the HOPE program:

1. Employees and their children who move to Georgia for employment with a new or expanding industry as defined in Georgia Code 20-4-40.
2. Non-resident students who are financially dependent upon a parent, parents, or spouse who has been a legal resident of Georgia for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of class for the term they wish to enroll; provided, however, that such financial dependence shall have existed for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of class for the term they wish to enroll.
3. Full-time employees of Georgia's Technical Colleges, their spouses, and their dependent children.
4. Full-time teachers in the public schools of Georgia or in a post-secondary college, their spouses, and their dependent children.
5. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia.
6. United States military personnel stationed in Georgia and on active duty and their dependent children living in Georgia.
7. United States military personnel and their dependent children that are legal residents of Georgia, but are stationed outside the State.

Students meeting the following exceptions will receive out-of-state tuition waivers but will not be considered as Georgia residents. These students do not qualify for the HOPE program:

1. Students who are legal residents of out-of-state counties bordering on Georgia counties in the service areas in which an institution of the Technical College System of Georgia is located and who are enrolled in said institution.
2. International students selected by the college president or authorized representative, provided however, that the number of the international students exempted does not exceed one percent of the total enrollment of full-time students.
3. Career consular officers and their dependents that are a citizen of the foreign nation, which their consular office represents and who are stationed living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments. This waiver shall apply only to those consular officers whose nations operate on the principle of educational reciprocity with the United States.

Undocumented Immigrants

In accordance with 8 USC § 1611 and 1621, Albany Technical College does not provide federal or state funded financial aid programs to undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants shall be charged out-of-state tuition (twice that paid by a resident of Georgia) as per 8 USC § 1623.