Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, a public community college in Valdosta, Georgia is a product of the merger of East Central Technical College (ECTC) and Valdosta Technical College (VTC).
Valdosta Technical College fulfills the mission by supporting student success and providing technical and academic instruction, through traditional and distance education delivery methods, leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit; customized training for new and existing industries; professional and personal development through continuing education programs; and adult education services to meet the needs of citizens, business, and industry in the service area.
In this article, we’ll provide a guide that presents detailed information on all you need to know about Valdosta Technical College. Stay with me as I take you on a trip to Valdosta, Georgia.
About Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta
Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta was founded as a cooperative agreement by the state legislature, the Valdosta Board of Education, and the Lowndes County Board of Education in 1963 to serve the citizens of Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes counties.
With an initial enrollment of 37 students and utilizing one building on 10.5 acres of land, Valdosta Technical Institute opened for classes for the first time in September 1963.
Wiregrass is one of the leading technical colleges in Georgia. Renowned for achievements in workforce development, they provide individuals with the education, training, and skills valuable to the state and country at large.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has four campuses: Ben Hill-Irwin Campus, Coffee County Campus, Cook County Workforce Development Center, and the Valdosta Campus.
Two extended campuses include the Wilcox Learning Center in Rochelle and a Moody Air Force Base location in Valdosta.
The mission of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is to promote community, educational and economic development by providing a trained workforce throughout the State of Georgia.
This aim is achieved by supporting student success and providing technical and academic instruction, through traditional and distance learning delivery methods. Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta offers programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit.
According to the President, Dr. Tina K. Anderson, Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta exists to meet the needs of students and the community through their commitment to education and workforce development.
With over 100 programs of study, including credit and noncredit courses, and distance learning options, Wiregrass is proud that students can choose a program they love and can build into a successful career.
In addition to credit programs, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers continuing education courses for your personal development and economic development courses to meet the professional development of individuals for business and industry.
Why Should I Study At Wiregrass Technical College?
Offering over 150 credit programs leading to associate degrees, diploma, and certificate, Valdosta Technical College trains every student to serve every business. The programs are taught using a standard curriculum that involves industry and business.
Additionally, Valdosta Technical College offers continuing education courses for your personal development and economic development courses to meet the professional development of individuals for business and industry.
In addition, their adult education program is designed to assist students who need to improve their basic skills or want to obtain their GED.
Their programs use cutting-edge technology and offer easy access to lifelong learning for all Georgians. Through their seamless education process, students can transfer credits efficiently as they advance from secondary schools to technical colleges, and to the colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia.
In a bid to assist financially displaced students, Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta offers students an education of HOPE. The HOPE symbolizes, Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally.
The idea of HOPE is to assist students who out of a state of financial quagmire can’t foot the financial bills needed to study at Wiregrass. Through the HOPE, students can complete an associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs
The HOPE Scholarship assists students in associate degree programs (“B” average required), and the HOPE Grant assists students in diploma and certificate programs. The HOPE Career Grant assists students with additional funding for programs identified by the Governor of Georgia as high demand fields.
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What Is Wiregrass Technical College Known For?
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is renowned for its commitment to changing lives by providing students with hands-on educational experiences designed to prepare them to successfully enter, or to enhance the skills needed to advance in their chosen careers.
Their dedicated staff and faculty have a strong record of preparing graduates, using the latest in educational technology and laboratories, to enter directly into the workforce.
Additionally, they also have partnerships with many four-year colleges and universities that will allow the transfer of associate degree level courses if you choose to continue your formal education.
Valdosta Technical College Rankings
According to niche.com Wiregrass Georgia, Technical College ranks 8 in Best Community Colleges in Georgia. According to a report from Military Times posted on the school’s website, Valdosta Technical College ranked 13 in services to veterans.
Their RN program is ranked No. 1 in State based on students’ National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rates.
Is Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Accredited?
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit.
What this implies is that the technical college has been deemed fit by the constituted authorities to function optimally as a full-fledged award issuing institution.
What Are The Admission Requirements to Study In Wiregrass Georgia Technical College?
The admissions policies and procedures of the Technical College System of Georgia and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College assure our citizens’ equal access to the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to secure personally satisfying and socially productive employment.
Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta admission requirements are based on the minimum standards set by the Technical College System of Georgia for each degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit program. Nonetheless, here’s a general list of all requirements for admission at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College;
- Complete an Application for Admission/Readmission.
- Pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 application fee.
- Submit a government-issued ID or Driver’s License for proof of lawful presence (alternatives available). Students seeking in-state tuition may be required to submit other documents.
- Submit ALL official (high school/equivalency and postsecondary education) transcripts. Opened or faxed transcripts are not official.
- Official entrance exam scores from a valid testing instrument (ACCUPLACER, COMPANION, COMPASS, ASSET, GED, ACT, PSAT, or SAT). The test score requirement may be overridden with an official transcript documenting equivalent program-level English and/or Math coursework successfully completed with a ‘C’ or better, completion of an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, or a HOPE GPA of 2.6 after completion of the 10th grade. Students may be accepted for entry-level workforce certificates if they have a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Admission to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a multi-step process that involves the evaluation of prior academic experience and assessment for postsecondary readiness of eligible applicants. The first step to becoming a Wiregrass Georgia Technical College student is completing the Application for Admission.
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Admission Requirements For Transfer Students
A student who has previously attended another postsecondary institution and has completed less than 75% of a program of study can apply for admission to Wiregrass as a transfer student.
Placement testing requirements for a transfer student vary according to the actual courses taken at the previous institution.
Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution, recognized by the United States Department of Education documenting equivalent program-level English and/or math coursework successfully completed (C or better) will replace the requirement of placement test scores.
Admission Requirements For International Students At Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta
WGTC is approved to accept international students entering, or already residing in, the United States under F visas for associate degree programs of study. Program offerings and approved campus locations are subject to change. Please check with the Admissions Office for updated information.
To qualify for admission at Wiregrass as an international applicant, you need to satisfy the following entry requirements;
- Submit a completed application for admission and a non-refundable $25 application fee in U.S currency.
- Submit official transcripts from your high school and all colleges attended. All transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes from the sending institution. Applicants with a college degree are not required to submit a high school or high school equivalency transcript.
- If English is not your first language, submit an official score of the TOEFL. A score of 500 or higher on the written test or a score of 173 or higher on the computerized version of TOEFL is required. A valid SAT critical reading score of 460 or higher will be accepted in lieu of a TOEFL score.
- Submit original financial documentation as required by the U.S. government. The school estimates it will cost $24,006 USD to study at WGTC for one academic year. One academic year equals two 16-week semesters and one 10- week semester.
To apply for admission at Valdosta Technical College, Click Here.
What Are The Programs Offered At Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta?
To provide quality technical and academic education leading to an associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit
To provide quality technical and academic instruction leading to associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit.
Wiregrass offers the following programs:
- Business Programs
- Computer Science & Digital Media Programs
- Health Care Programs
- Professional Services Programs
- Technical & Industrial Programs
- Online Programs
Click here to see the full list of courses offered at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.
Wiregrass Technical College Tuition
The amount of tuition assessed each term differs based on the program of study, residency, and the number of credit hours enrolled. Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with the policies set forth by the State Board for Technical and Adult Education and are subject to change without notice.
The cost of tuition at Wiregrass varies according to credit hours. The cost of tuition and fees for the 1 credit hour program is $476 while the cost of tuition and fees for 15+ credit hours is $1,876
It’s also pertinent to note that out of state students pay double tuition while international students pay four times tuition. The estimated cost of tuition for international students is $15,528 USD.
Are There Available Financial Aid Opportunities To Study At Wiregrass Technical College Valdosta?
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College believes that the sole purpose of student financial aid is to assist students who without such assistance wouldn’t be able to attend college. Financial aid is awarded to eligible students on the basis of financial needs.
All students at Wiregrass must apply yearly for financial aid starting with the FAFSA application. 96% of students attending Wiregrass Georgia Technical College receive some sort of financial aid. 77% were awarded federal grants. While N/A received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following eligibility requirements;
- Be enrolled as a regular or provisional student in an eligible technical certificate, diploma, or degree program of study and meet all specific program requirements;
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
- Demonstrate financial need (if applicable);
- Be at least 16 years of age for federal programs or at least a 9th-grade student for DE;
- Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent unless enrolled in DE or another eligible program;
- Not hold a bachelor’s degree (if applicable);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP);
- Be able to prove registration with the Selective Service (Males 18 years of age or older – unless able to prove
- exemption);
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or State of Georgia educational loan, or owe a refund due to an over-award on a Federal Title IV or State of Georgia student financial aid program, or any other way be in violation of Federal Title IV program regulations or State of Georgia student financial aid program regulations;
- Agree to use any funds received for educationally related purposes only;
- Certify that he or she will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of a controlled substance while receiving financial aid;
- Cannot be recently convicted on felony drug-related charges.
Financial Aid Programs Available At Wiregrass
Pell Grant
Wiregrass Georgia TTechnicak College participates in the Federal Pell Grant Program. The Pell Grant is awarded to students who do not have a bachelor’s or professional degree and who are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or eligible technical certificate.
The Federal Pell Grant Program is the largest federal student aid program available. Unlike educational loans, grants do not have to be repaid. To have eligibility determined, students must submit an application for federal student aid once a year, no later than 6 to 8 weeks before the fall semester.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Grant recipients with a financial need may be eligible for the FSEOG which is a campus-based program administered through the financial aid office.
The award amount is contingent upon the availability of FSEOG funds, and the amount of other aid received by the student. Eligible students are processed first by the selection of those with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) attending at least half-time and making satisfactory academic progress.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Federal Work-Study is a campus-based program that provides Pell Grant applicants with part-time employment to help them offset their college bills.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an eligible technical certificate, diploma, or associate degree program and attending classes to be eligible. Additionally, students must be enrolled at least half time and demonstrate financial need based on their official EFC and the cost of attendance.
Students normally work 20 hours per week and income from work-study and all other aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance for any given semester.
FWS pay rate may vary based on place of employment and type of work. If at all possible, students are employed on campus in jobs related to their area of study. Off-campus jobs may be available to support federal community service requirements.
State Aid Programs
The HOPE Scholarship and Grant program funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. These state aid programs provide financial assistance to qualified Georgia residents and active military personnel working in Georgia and their dependents.
For the 2020-2024 academic year, the HOPE Grant will pay for tuition at the rate of $76 per credit hour.
The HOPE Grant will pay for up to 63 semester hours of study. A student must meet a GPA requirement of 2.0 at the point that the student has accumulated 30 semester hours of courses toward a diploma or certificate for which the student received HOPE Grant funds.
Conclusion
To conclude this article, I’ll leave you with the words of the President, Dr. Tina K. Anderson, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College exists to meet the needs of students and the community through our mission of education and workforce development.
References
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College – https://www.wiregrass.edu/
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College – en.wikipedia.org
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