International Students

Policy Number: 4.2.1.7
Effective Date: March 14, 2023
Revision History: August 1, 2018; May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Associate Director of International Student Services

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy is to create admissions requirements that fulfill the stated mission of the College, by encouraging students of diverse levels of preparation, ethnicity, and age to enroll and develop their full potential. These requirements are in keeping with Georgia Gwinnett College’s strong commitment to student success. Georgia Gwinnett College complies with the access mission institution admission standards established under University System of Georgia Board of Regents policies and is committed to ensuring that the admissions procedures support these standards.  The policy sets admission, financial, and health insurance requirements for international students.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all international applicants to Georgia Gwinnett College (“GGC”) and to all GGC faculty, staff, and administrators with the authority to make or influence admission decisions regarding international applicants.

III. Definitions

International student: At GGC, an international student is an individual who meets one of the following criteria:

1. Currently living outside the U.S. and will require an F-1 or a J-1 visa to study in the U.S.
2. Not a U.S. Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (“LPR”) and is currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
3. Currently in the U.S. on another non-immigrant visa classification which permits part-time or full-time study

IV. Admission of Degree-Seeking International Students

1. International Freshman Requirements
   1. Freshman applicants educated outside of the United States shall demonstrate academic preparation comparable to that required of applicants completing high school within the United States.
   2. English Language Proficiency Requirement.
      1. Completion of a test of English language proficiency is required of all applicants. Please refer to the USG English proficiency chart for approved exams and minimum standards or some other USG-approved evaluation of English. GGC’s minimum required English proficiency scores are as follows: TOEFL IBT 69, IELTS 6, SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section Score 480, ACT English 17, or Accuplacer Reading Comprehension 237 and WritePlacer 4.
      2. For a full list of approved exams and minimum standards, see BOR Academic and Student Affairs Handbook 3.1.1.2 International Freshman Requirements.
   3. Foreign Credentials. Students must submit official records from secondary school and all college(s) attended. Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by a NACES-approved evaluation service such as Josef Silny and Associates; World Education Services; or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or other BOR-approved internal/external services.  Students must submit transcripts to an evaluation service and request that an appropriate evaluation with GPA be submitted directly to Georgia Gwinnett College, International Student Services. A minimum 2.00 Grade Point Average is required. In lieu of GPA, freshman applicants may submit SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer scores.
   4. Some non-postsecondary credit and/or examinations may be considered for college credit and may require a course-by-course evaluation for college level credit to be awarded.
2. Transfer Students
   1. Applicants who have earned 30 or more transferable semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university are classified as transfer students. Students admitted from other colleges are required to meet all general requirements and application deadlines. See GGC Transfer Admission.
   2. Transfer students who are non-native speakers of English and who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction must submit proof of English proficiency as listed in the BOR Academic and Student Affairs Handbook section 3.1.1.6 International Transfer Requirements. Foreign credentials must be evaluated through an approved evaluation service.

V. Financial Requirements

1. International students requesting the Form I-20 or DS-2019 from Georgia Gwinnett College must provide documentation showing sufficient resources to cover tuition, room and board, health insurance, and other living expenses.
2. In accordance with the payment policy of the College, students agree to pay all tuition and fees when due to Georgia Gwinnett College (including, but not limited to, tuition, mandatory student fees, and College Housing fees). Failure to pay a student account in full by the published deadline may result in a student being dropped from classes, which could jeopardize the student’s ability to maintain valid immigration status.

VI. Health Insurance

1. International students holding F or J visas are required to have student health insurance that meets the minimum standards set by the University System of Georgia.
2. Students in these categories who are not covered by a policy held by a parent, spouse, employer, or if the policy does not meet the minimum standards, will be charged for a USG Student Health Insurance Plan (“SHIP”) policy.
   1. Students who are already covered by an insurance policy (i.e., through parent plans, family plans or employer-sponsored plans) can opt out of the plan. Once the information has been verified, the requirement for SHIP health insurance will be waived and the moneys paid to Georgia Gwinnett College for insurance will be refunded. Students must apply for the waiver each semester for which they are enrolled in classes, and this must be done during the waiver period.
   2. Students who do not apply for and receive the waivers during the enrollment period will be responsible for the insurance fees. Students who fail to submit comparable health insurance information by the end of the waiver period will automatically be enrolled in the SHIP insurance plan.
3. Students should not purchase insurance from their home country until they have reviewed information on the insurance waiver policy and are sure they will qualify for a waiver. Students should verify that the insurance policy they are considering meets the waiver minimums before they purchase it. Additional information is available through this website.

VII. Related Regulations, Statutes, Policies, and Procedures

University System of Georgia International Student Resources, Handbooks, and Forms