Online Colleges in Georgia

Do Online Credits Cost More or Less in Georgia?

Each school maintains its own tuition policies, making it impossible to offer a universally applicable answer to this question. However, from a general standpoint, online colleges in Georgia tend to cost the same (or less) as attending traditional classes. This is particularly true of public colleges.

As you assess costs, remember that studying online also allows you to avoid some mandatory fees that only apply to on-campus students. You also avoid the need to relocate, which can save significant amounts of money over the course of a four-year degree. Flexible online course structures also make it easy to schedule your schoolwork around part-time or full-time employment, which further alleviates your financial burden and improves the cost-effectiveness of taking part in an online degree.

For specifics, refer to the fee tables listed on each school's official website.

Which Georgia Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?

According to statistics compiled for the 2018-19 academic year, the two Georgia colleges with the highest numbers of transfer students were Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University. While the sizable student bodies of these two schools partially explains the trend, their generous transfer credit policies also attract many new students.

At Kennesaw State University, incoming transfer students must possess a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all coursework to obtain advanced standing. Georgia State University's transfer credit policies permit students to earn recognition for up to 12 credit-hours of D-grade coursework in addition to its already generous allowances.

As the state's flagship higher education system, the University of Georgia also merits mention for transfer students. At the University of Georgia, incoming transfer students require at least 60 credit-hours of qualifying coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. You can learn more by visiting the FAQ on the University of Georgia's page for transfer students.

Beyond these general guidelines, refer to the specific transfer credit policies of each school under your consideration. Seek out your information on the school's own website, rather than relying on third-party sources.

Will Any Online Colleges in Georgia Accept a GED?

According to the General Educational Development (GED) Testing Service, more than 60% of recent high school graduates with a GED go on to enroll in college. The GED Testing Service also states that more than 97% of American employers and higher education institutions recognize the validity of the GED when considering new applicants. Instead of looking at your high school grades, colleges will instead consider the score you earned on your GED test.

However, keep in mind that you may be required to take additional entrance examinations, depending on the admissions policies in place at the school of your choice. For instance, if you do not have ACT or SAT scores, you may need to take these tests as part of your application process. If you have any questions, refer them to the admissions department of the school you want to attend.

How Many Academic Terms Per Year Do Online Colleges in Georgia Offer?

In general, accredited online colleges in Georgia feature semester-based or term-based start dates that occur every few months. Larger schools with sizable on-campus student bodies tend to align their online program start dates with their on-campus program start dates. This supports scheduling logistics and makes it easier for the school to assign regular faculty members to teach online classes, thus ensuring that all students enjoy parity in the quality of their education.

Many well-regarded online universities in Georgia employ alternative scheduling models. Some such models apply to most or all of the school's online programs, while others offer a limited number of programs with flexible start dates and accelerated schedules that allow students to begin their coursework shortly after acceptance. Consult each online school's scheduling policy as part of your due diligence in the application process.

By and large, schools and programs with relatively large numbers of students enrolled in online classes tend to offer flexible start dates or shorter terms that facilitate the ongoing integration of incoming students. A school's scheduling policy does not reflect its quality, and many highly reputable schools and programs use these alternative models.

Which Online Colleges Will Accept FAFSA in Georgia?

Millions of American college students begin their searches for educational financing by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College applicants use the FAFSA to confirm their eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and private forms of financial aid, including federal student loans, Pell Grants, state-based grant programs, school-based scholarships, and private scholarships.

As of November 2018, 134 Georgia colleges accept FAFSA. While not all of these colleges offer online programs, many of them do. Use the Federal School Code Search featured on the FAFSA website to search for the Georgia colleges under your consideration. Most FAFSA-supported funding sources make no distinction between online and traditional in-class study, so long as the school you attend holds accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). You can confirm any Georgia institution's status using the ED's accreditation database.

Are There Any Free Online Classes I Can Take from Georgia Colleges?

In the early 2010s, a loosely aligned collective of higher education institutions around the world launched a program to make low-cost online education more accessible. The initiative eventually became known as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). Hundreds of universities from dozens of different countries take part by offering internet-based students free access to thousands of MOOCs.

MOOCs deliver unbeatable value for online schools in Georgia. Two leading institutions participate in the initiative: the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and the University of Georgia system

Georgia Tech's MOOC offerings allow students to sign up and begin their studies anytime. The school allows MOOC coursework to count toward a verified certificate, should you choose to pursue one. Meanwhile, the University of Georgia system joined the MOOC program in 2013 as part of a partnership undertaken by 10 of America's leading public universities. However, neither school offers students the opportunity to earn credit for MOOC coursework as part of a degree program. Instead of acting as a means of earning cheap online degrees in Georgia, MOOCs mainly serve as personal enrichment classes, primarily for adult learners.

How Can I Find the Online Program Options at Georgia Colleges?

Georgia schools that offer both traditional in-class and online learning options typically maintain separate systems and platforms for dedicated use by internet-based students. For example, the University of Georgia system uses UGA Online, a comprehensive web portal to the institution's extensive catalog of online degree options. Many Georgia-based public and private universities maintain similar systems, with direct access links usually located on the school's main web page.

If you cannot immediately locate a particular school's system for online degree programs and classes, try using the site-specific search feature on the institution's home page. Use a general, all-encompassing search term like "online programs" or "online degrees," then navigate the results for relevant links. Alternately, you can try adding a similar search term as a modifier to the school's name in your preferred web-based search engine.