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Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid | Registration and Grades | Special Populations

With regard to the HOPE Scholarship evaluation, many students want to know:

Why do I need all college transcripts to determine their eligibility since HOPE did not pay for the classes or they will not transfer here?

Answer: HOPE regulations require all college Degree credit hours attempted at any postsecondary institutions the student attended after high school graduation and their corresponding grades be included in the Grade Point Average and be counted as Attempted Hours.
When should the HOPE evaluation form be turned in?

Answer: A new student in a degree program should turn in an evaluation form when he/she makes application here. Students changing from diploma to degree should turn in the form when the Change of Enrollment is made; preferably, the quarter before the change is to take place.
How long does it take to be evaluated for HOPE? The student should allow 2 weeks.

Answer: Re-awarding of degrees, diplomas and certificates: How long does it take to award the degrees, diplomas and certificates each quarter? It takes me approximately 4-6 weeks to award them. I start with the degrees and work my way through the rest. The student will receive a congratulatory letter with an official transcript showing what he/she has completed. Only certificates are printed each quarter and are ready when the student receives the letter and transcript. Degrees and diplomas are only printed once a year in the Spring.
When do I have to pay for tuition and fees?

Answer: Students still need to be reminded about the technology fee due each quarter.

Will Griffin Tech classes transfer?

Answer: Transfer of Griffin Technical College credit to another college or university is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Usually courses will transfer to another technical college with a grade of “C” or better. The degree level core classes (190 or above) will usually transfer to University System of Georgia institution. Students should check with the receiving institution to determine the courses that will be accepted from Griffin Tech.
What classes will Griffin Tech transfer from another college?

Answer: A student who has previously attended a college or university may request an evaluation of an official transcript for the purpose of awarding transfer credit. The Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form is located in the Admissions Office and is also on Griffin Tech’s website at www.griffintech.edu. Students should click on Admissions and then Admission Forms. Credits from regionally accredited colleges or universities may transfer if the course is of the same content and length of the course required in the Griffin Tech program. A grade of “C” or better is required to transfer a course. A course description may be required. Medical courses and some others have a transfer life of five years. Once the transcript is evaluated, a letter is mailed to the student. The credits are posted to the student’s academic record using a grade of “TR” which is not calculated into the cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Griffin Tech.
What is the procedure to be a transient student at another college?

Answer: Griffin Technical College students who plan to complete courses at another institution must complete and submit a signed Transient Request Form. The forms are available in the Admissions Office or may be printed from Griffin Tech’s website at www.griffintech.edu. Students should click on Admissions and then Admission Forms. Students must follow the admission requirements for the host college. Students planning to take online courses at another technical college in Georgia may apply online through the Georgia Virtual Technical College (GVTC) website at www.gvtc.org . Students should follow the GVTC directions carefully. The Transient Request Form may be printed from the GVTC website. Students must have satisfactorily completed at least one credit course at Griffin Tech and must be in good standing. Authorization is granted only for courses that will transfer to the student’s current program of study. A grade of “C” or better is required for courses to transfer.
What is the procedure to be a transient student at Griffin Tech?

Answer: An applicant seeking admission as a transient student at Griffin Technical College must submit an application and pay a non-refundable $15 application fee. A transient letter from the home school is required stating the student is in good academic standing. The letter should list the quarter and the course(s) the student desires to take. Transient students enroll on a space-available basis.
What is the procedure to apply as a special admit student at Griffin Tech?

Answer: A student who does not wish to seek a diploma, degree, or certificate program may apply as a special admit student. An application and a non-refundable $15 application fee are required. Official college transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted. The applicant must meet course prerequisites. Special admit students are placed in courses on a space-available basis. Financial Aid is not available for Special Admit Students. Any credits earned as a special admit student in excess of 25 will not later count toward a certificate, diploma or degree.
What is the procedure to have a transcript sent to another college?

Answer: A student may complete a Transcript Release Authorization Form to have his/her transcript released. The Transcript Release Form is located in the Admissions Office and is also on Griffin Tech’s website at www.griffintech.edu. Students should click on Admissions and then Admission Forms. Transcripts will not be released if there is a financial hold on the student’s record. Transcript Release Forms may be faxed to 770-229-3227. Faxed release forms must be accompanied with a copy of the student’s photo ID. The transcript fee is $3 per transcript. The first transcript is free. The transcript fee for transcripts needed within one business day is $5 per transcript. Students may call the Business Office at 770-228-7275 to pay the transcript fee with a credit card. Allow 5 business days for regular processing, 15 business days at the end of the quarter.
What is the name of the accreditation agency for Griffin Tech?

Answer: Griffin Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Specific program accreditations and certifications are listed in the Griffin Technical College catalog.
What is the procedure to receive an enrollment or degree verification?

Answer: The National Student Clearinghouse is Griffin Technical College’s authorized agent for providing degree and enrollment verifications. Loan companies, employers, etc. may request this information from the National Student Clearinghouse at www.studentclearinghouse.org (or directly at www.degreeverify.com). Students may also complete an Enrollment Verification Request Form located in the Admissions Office.
How do students apply to graduate?

Answer: All students who expect to graduate must complete a Diploma/Degree Graduation Application or Certificate Graduation Application. The application must be signed by the academic advisor and must be submitted prior to the student’s last academic quarter. A student who applies to graduate after the fiscal year of his/her graduation will be provided an official transcript, but will be charged a $25 fee to have his/her degree, diploma or certificate printed. Diploma and degree students who plan to attend the graduation ceremony in June must pay a $25 graduation fee when the application is submitted. Graduation applicants must meet all academic and financial obligations prior to graduation. Diplomas and degrees may be picked up the second week of July or may be sent by certified mail for a $7 fee.

How is the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated?

Answer: The grade point average (GPA) is calculated based on all credit courses taken at Griffin Technical College. GPA is calculated by (1) multiplying the credits for each course by the grade points associated with the grade earned, (2) totaling the points earned for all courses, and (3) dividing the total points by the total number of credits attempted. The assigned values for the grades are A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F and WF = 0. In calculating a GPA, credit hours from courses receiving the following grades are not included: AC, AU, EX, I, IP, S, TR, U, or W.

Example:

Grade Earned	Grade Points	Credit Hours	Total Points
A	4 x	5	= 20
C	2 x	3	= 6
		8	26
			26 / 8 = 3.25 GPA

Special Populations

What is Special Populations program?

A program that equal access to recruitment, enrollment, job placement activities, and a full range of technical education programs and activities.
What services do your program provide?

Answer: Admissions and Career Counseling, Assessments – Career Scope and COMPASS, Lending Library, Mentoring Program, Quarterly Support Group Meetings, Life Skills Workshops, and community resource referrals
Can adult literacy students participate?

Answer: Services are provided for literacy student as they are referred by instructors and/or other college staff members.
Do you have money for child care or transportation?

Answer: The program does not have financial support other than resources accessed from referrals to community agencies and programs.
What financial assistance can your program provide?

Answer: None
Are men allowed to participate?

Answer: Yes
Who is eligible for your program?

Answer: Students with disabilities, individual from economically disadvantaged families including foster children, single parents, displaced homemakers (divorced or widowed), Limited English Proficient students (English not native language), and non-traditional students (male nurses/female truck drivers.
Where is your office located?

Answer: Main Building Room 303
Do I have to schedule an appointment to talk with you?

Answer: Walk-ins are welcomed, but appointments preferred.
Can you conduct a workshop for my program or class?

Answer: Yes contact the Special Populations Coordinator, Cherryl Gilbert at ext. 7382.
How can a student enroll?

Answer: Referrals by instructors or college staff members to Cherryl Gilbert at ext. 7382.