Application Fee
A completed application for admission with a $25 non-refundable application fee is required for all applicants.
Application Deadline
Applicants must have all required documentation (transcripts, proof of lawful presence, proof of residency, test scores (if applicable), etc.) submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services by the published deadlines in the academic calendar. Incomplete files or late applications may be considered for Special Admission or deferred to a future term. - Academic Calendar
Eligible Applicants
Individuals sixteen (16) years of age or older seeking occupational credentials are eligible for admission. Due to safety, profession/field, or other restrictions, a higher minimum age may be required for some programs – information will be listed on each program page under program requirements.
Age requirements for specific programs may change without notice. For most programs, eligible applicants are individuals sixteen (16) years of age or older or dually/jointly enrolled high school students in the 10th, 11th or 12th grades who seek access to quality instruction at the postsecondary level. Minimum age requirements for specific programs may be higher.
Documentation of Residency and Citizenship
Applicants must provide documentation to support their citizenship and residency status. If under 24 years of age and a claimed dependent, documentation from both the applicant and their parent/guardian is required. Dependent students (under 24) must submit two proofs from a parent or guardian per the Georgia Residency petition guidelines.
Citizenship Requirements - Proof of Lawful Presence
A student meets the Citizenship Requirements, for purposes of this procedure and the related policies, if he or she is a United States Citizen, born or naturalized or, if he or she is an Eligible Non-Citizen, according to the Federal Title IV definition.
Ineligible Non-citizens are classified as international students and are not eligible for in-state tuition. By default, they will be charged the international tuition rate. However, at the discretion of the College President, the international rate may be waived and replaced with the out-of-state tuition rate for non-citizens who are verified as lawfully present in the United States in accordance with state and federal immigration laws.
Atlanta Technical College is responsible for the verification of the lawful presence in the United States of all applicants for admission or re-admission, who are seeking in-state or out-of-state resident tuition rates, as required by state and federal immigration laws [O.C.G.A. §50-36-2]. A student can verify lawful presence by submitting an acceptable form of documentation which includes but is not limited to;
o U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Territory Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the department of State (DS-1350) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) – with visible raised or written seal.
o Unexpired U.S. Passport.
o Unexpired Current or Retiree Military ID (service member only, not dependent).
o Unexpired Permanent Residency Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551- front and back side required.
o Students admitted on a F, J, or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
o Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
o Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS from N-560 or N-561).
o Certificate of Nationalization (USCIS from N-550 or N-570).
o Unexpired Driver’s license/Official State ID - see below chart for specific conditions.
Atlanta Technical College can accept the front and back of a driver’s licenses or state ID cards from the following states with the listed conditions, all documents must be unexpired.
Alabama
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “FN”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Alaska
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Arizona
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
California
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Not indicate the card is an Instruction Permit, Commercial Learner’s Permit, or a temporary license.
Colorado
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Delaware
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
District of Columbia
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Florida
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Georgia
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Idaho
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Iowa
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Kentucky
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Louisiana
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Maryland
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “T” restriction.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Missouri
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Montana
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Nevada
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
North Carolina
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Ohio
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “nonrenewable and nontransferable”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Oklahoma
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Oregon
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
South Carolina
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Tennessee
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Texas
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Utah
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Vermont
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Virginia
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked "Limited duration (See expiration date on front)” on the back of the card.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Wisconsin
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Wyoming
Display the REAL ID symbol.
Not be marked “Limited Term”.
Not be marked “Federal Limits Apply”, “Not for REAL ID Purposes” or similar.
Residency Requirements - Proof of Residency - Eligibility for In-State Tuition
Residency Requirements
To qualify for in-state residency status for tuition purposes at our institution, applicants must provide documentation to support their claim of Georgia residency. Establishing residency requires proof of domicile in the State of Georgia, meaning a student must show an intent to make Georgia their permanent home. No single factor alone will determine residency, but a combination of objective factors will be considered. These factors may include, but are not limited to, property ownership, voter registration, and state tax filings.
How to Establish Georgia Residency
To establish Georgia residency, the student must meet the following criteria:
A dependent student may qualify for in-state residency if:
- The student's parent or legal guardian has established and maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months before the start of the semester for which the student is seeking in-state tuition.
- The student graduated from an eligible Georgia high school, or the parent or legal guardian claimed the student as a dependent on their most recent federal income tax return.
An independent student qualifies for in-state residency if:
- The student has established and maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months before the start of the semester for which in-state tuition is being sought.
- The student must show clear evidence of domicile for reasons other than attending college.
Documentation Required to Establish Residency
To verify Georgia residency, applicants must provide one of the following documents, which must show 12 consecutive months of residency prior to the first day of the semester in which the student is enrolling:
- Georgia Driver’s License or State ID (unexpired, issue date must reflect 12 consecutive months of residency)
- Voter Registration Card (unexpired, issue date must reflect 12 consecutive months of residency)
- Automobile Registration (must show the past two years, 24 months)
- Georgia State Tax Form (GA 500, long form) (must show full year of residency)
- Utility Bill (must reflect the last 12 consecutive months)
- Home Deed
- Lease Agreement (signed and effective date must show 12 consecutive months before the semester start date)
- DD-2214 (for military personnel)
- Military ID or Orders (unexpired)
Retaining Georgia Residency
Dependent Students: If the parent or legal guardian of a dependent student, who has established Georgia residency, moves out of state, the student can retain Georgia residency status as long as they remain continuously enrolled at a TCSG college.
Independent Students: If an independent student who was initially determined to be a Georgia resident temporarily relocates outside the state but returns to Georgia within 12 months, they will retain their Georgia residency status for in-state tuition purposes.
Petition for Residency
If an applicant did not qualify for residency at the time when their application was submitted, they may petition for in-state residency once the meet the requirements. To petition for residency contact the Office of Enrollment Services atcenrollment@atlantatech.edu. If the petition for residency is approved it will be effective beginning the next semester a student enrolls, and the change is not retroactive to prior semesters.
Additional documentation will need to be submitted at the time of the petition. Documents should prove that you have met the Georgia State Residency requirements; if a dependent - under 24 years of age and are claimed as a dependent of a parent/guardian, must have lived in Georgia for the past 12 consecutive months. If a dependent, documents must show that you have lived in Georgia for the past 12 consecutive months.
Acceptable forms of additional documentation that can be submitted during the petition for residency include: Location of employment, Location of voter registration, Location of property, including home purchase, and taxes paid thereon, State for which the individual filed and paid state income taxes, Address and other information on federal and state income tax returns, State where the person’s automobile title is registered and the payment of property taxes thereon, Address on driver’s license and state of issuance, Address on the Georgia Driver’s License Bureau ID, State of issuance of business, professional, or other licenses, and Location of checking, savings or other banking accounts.
Eligibility for In-State Tuition Waivers
Non-citizens are classified as international students and are not eligible for in-state tuition. By default, they will be charged the international tuition rate. However, at the discretion of the College President, the international rate may be waived and replaced with the out-of-state tuition rate for non-citizens who are verified as lawfully present in the United States in accordance with state and federal immigration laws. Students in the following classifications are eligible for an out-of-state tuition exemption, which does not affect eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship or Grant (except for military personnel and their dependents, as provided in GSFC regulations):
- Employees and their children who move to Georgia for employment with a new or expanding industry as defined in OCGA 20-4-40.
- Full-time employees of the Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and dependent children.
- Full-time teachers in a public school, a military base, or a public postsecondary college, their spouses, and dependent children.
- United States military personnel stationed in Georgia and on active duty, and their dependents living in Georgia.
- United States military personnel, spouses, and dependent children reassigned outside Georgia who remain continuously enrolled and on active military status.
- United States military personnel and their dependents domiciled in Georgia but stationed outside the state.
- Students domiciled in out-of-state counties bordering Georgia counties who are enrolled in a Technical College with a local reciprocity agreement.
- Career consular officers and their dependents who are citizens of the foreign nation their consular office represents, living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments, provided their nation practices educational reciprocity with the United States.
- Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 36 months of separation, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become domiciled in Georgia (includes spouses and dependent children).
- No person who is unlawfully present in the United States is eligible for any exemption of the tuition differential.
Non-citizens requesting in-state tuition must verify lawful presence following TCSG Procedure 6.2.2p. Policy Manual – TCSG | Technical College System of Georgia.
Notwithstanding any provision in this procedure, any person who is unlawfully present in the United States will not be eligible for any exemption of the tuition differential.
Educational Requirements
Educational prerequisites vary by program. While a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET is typically expected, applicants who have completed 12+ semester or 18+ quarter hours of college-level credit or hold an associate degree or higher may submit college transcripts instead of high school credentials. Home-schooled student documents will be accepted according to Technical College System of Georgia policy.
Assessment for Program Readiness
The success of students in their programs at Atlanta Technical College is closely tied to their math and language skills. To
assist
students in achieving their maximum potential, all applicants to diploma, degree, and certificate programs must undergo an assessment to
determine
their readiness for the program. For the 2025-2026 academic year, this assessment will not necessarily involve a placement test but will include a review of the student's high school GPA, prior college transcripts, and other academic history. Based on this review, students will be admitted
in accordance with
the academic standards relevant to their program.
While Accuplacer Next Generation is the approved assessment tool within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), placement testing is no longer required for admission. Students who wish to submit official college transcripts or scores from other validated assessment instruments (e.g., Classic Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, PSAT, Georgia Milestones ELA, GED, or HiSET) may do so. If these scores meet the program's required minimums, the student may be considered program ready. Additionally, students who have earned an associate degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited institution will be considered program-ready and will not need a placement exam.
If an applicant's academic history or submitted scores do not meet the program’s required minimums, they may be referred for placement testing if necessary to determine eligibility for specific programs or courses. Students will need to contact the Testing Center at testing_center@atlantatech.edu for assistance.
Placement guidelines are in accordance with TCSG Procedure 6.2.1p2 as outlined in the TCSG Policy Manual - Policy Manual – TCSG | Technical College System of Georgia.
Placement Procedure - Placement Testing
In the 2025-2026 academic year, placement test scores are no longer required for admission. While submitting test scores is optional, the College will evaluate high school GPA, prior college credits, and any available standardized test scores to determine appropriate course placement. Students without relevant academic credentials in English or math may be referred for placement testing if necessary to determine eligibility for specific programs or courses.
Students interested in taking a placement test can contact the Testing Center at testing_center@atlantatech.edu for assistance.
Placement guidelines are in accordance with TCSG Procedure 6.2.1p2 as outlined in the TCSG Policy Manual - Policy Manual – TCSG | Technical College System of Georgia.
Admission Requirements
At Atlanta Technical College, we are dedicated to helping students achieve their personal goals. While the college provides the resources and support to guide students through the admissions process, it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they meet the necessary requirements for admission.
Admission to Atlanta Technical College is a multi-step process that includes the evaluation of prior academic experience and assessment of postsecondary readiness for eligible applicants. The ability of a student to succeed in their chosen program is often determined by the math and language skills they possess, and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is committed to assisting each student in reaching their maximum potential.
Required Documentation for Admission
To apply for admission, students must submit the following documentation to the Office of Enrollment Services:
- Application and Fee: A completed application for admission with a $25 nonrefundable application fee.
- Educational Requirements:
- Official high school transcript, GED transcript, HiSET transcript, and/or official transcripts from all previously attended colleges accredited by an accepted accrediting agency.
- Please note, all students seeking regular admission must submit transcripts for all postsecondary institutions attended. This includes students wishing to transfer prior college credits or those who intend to use funding sources (e.g., HOPE Scholarship or Veterans Educational Benefits) that require an evaluation of prior college credit.
- Proof of Lawful Presence: Documentation to verify lawful presence in the United States.
- Proof of Residency: To demonstrate residency status.
Assessment and Placement
Placement scores are no longer required for admission. While students may choose to submit SAT, ACT, PSAT, GED, HiSET, ACCUPLACER, or TABE scores, these are optional. If submitted, these scores will be evaluated in accordance with TCSG guidelines and may be used for placement or admission decisions. If an applicant's academic history or submitted scores do not meet the program’s required minimums, they may be referred for placement testing if necessary to determine eligibility for specific programs or courses.
Students are placed based on:
- Previous college coursework (with credits earned).
- Earned an associate degree or higher are automatically exempt from placement testing.
- Applicants who have earned previous postsecondary credits, especially in English and math courses completed with a grade of C or better, from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are automatically exempt from placement testing.
- High school GPA
- Placement Testing - If placement testing is required, students will undergo an evaluation using the Accuplacer Next Generation or other TCSG-approved assessment and will need to contact the Testing Center at testing_center@atlantatech.edu for assistance.
Admission decisions align with TCSG Policy 6.2.1 and Procedure 6.2.1p - Policy Manual – TCSG | Technical College System of Georgia.
Readmission of Former Students
Students who are absent from Atlanta Technical College for two or more consecutive regular semesters will be required to:
- Submit a re-admission application to the Office of Enrollment Services by the advertised application deadline.
- Meet the Atlanta Technical College general catalog admission requirements in effect at the time of re-admission.
- Submit to the Office of Enrollment Services official transcripts from all high schools, colleges or universities attended.
Transfer Student Admission
Applicants who are transferring to Atlanta Technical College from another post-secondary institution must submit the following to the Office of Enrollment Services:
- Application for admission along with a $25 (nonrefundable) application fee.
- Official transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. Applicants who have completed a minimum associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university may submit official college transcripts in lieu of high school transcript or high school equivalent.
- Satisfactory scores on the Classic Accuplacer, Accuplacer Next Generation, ACT, SAT, PSAT, Georgia Milestones ELA, or GED or an earned associate degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education, or official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education documenting equivalent program-level English and math coursework successfully completed (C or better).
First Year Experience Seminar
This course must be taken during new students’ first term of enrollment at Atlanta Technical College. New students who have successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of college coursework at the time of acceptance will be exempt from taking this course.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment provides opportunities for high school students grades 9-12 to enroll part-time (less than 12 semester hours) or fulltime (12-15 semester hours) to earn both high school and college credits. Students will receive credits for successfully completed coursework at their high school and at Atlanta Technical College. Participation is permitted during the fall, spring and summer semesters of the high school and college school year. To be eligible for Dual Enrollment, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades at a public or private high schools in Georgia or a home study program operated in accordance with O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)
- Must be approved and classified as eligible by the high school
- Meet admissions requirements for ATC program
- Must not have already received a high school diploma
- Must be on track to graduate
- Obtain approval of the high school guidance counselor and parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
- Achieve a grade of C or higher in their ATC courses to remain eligible for the program
NOTE: Students must also take note of the following:
- Participants can attend more than one postsecondary institution at a time and receive awards at both
- Participants must meet Atlanta Technical College’s satisfactory academic progress criteria
- There is no limit to how many terms a student may participate
- Participation will not count against the student’s HOPE cap
- Participant can be denied participation at any time for violation of secondary or postsecondary rules.
Home Schooled Applicant Guidelines
Applicants of home schools located in Georgia who did not attend a recognized accredited program must adhere to the following alternative path for admission:
- Submit a Certificate of Attendance form from the local superintendent’s office or a Declaration of Intent to utilize a Home Study Program from the Georgia Department of Education verifying that the parent or legal guardian complied with the requirements of home study programs as referenced in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.
- Submit annual progress reports or a final transcript for the equivalent of the home-schooled student’s junior and senior years. The final progress report should include the graduation date.