Tuition, admission procedures set for new University of North Georgia

DAHLONEGA - With consolidation procedures underway for North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College, administrators have announced admission and tuition plans for what will be the University of North Georgia.

The university is expected to be operationally consolidated in January 2013,but the tuition and admission changes are scheduled to be effective for fall semester 2013.

"The mission of the University of North Georgia calls us to serve students in a wide range of degree programs under a single state university umbrella," said Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs, North Georgia's president and the president-designate for the consolidated institution.

"Through this mission, we have the opportunity to create multiple pathways by which a student can enter the University of North Georgia and pursue a degree."

Under the plan, prospective students will apply to the degree program of their choice. This will include the associate, baccalaureate and graduate programs. Each program will have admissions standards that are independent from the location in which the program resides.

Not all levels of degrees or programs of study will be available on all campuses. For example, there are currently no bachelor's degree programs offered at the Oconee campus, nor any associate's degrees, other than nursing, in Dahlonega. Ongoing planning and resources will determine the future location or expansion of degree programs to best meet student and community needs.

Unless otherwise specified, tuition rates will be based on academic degree level. Students enrolled in the associate degree programs will be charged the state college tuition rate. Students enrolled in the baccalaureate degree programs will be charged the state university tuition rate. Students enrolled in graduate degree programs will be charged the tuition rate for that particular program. The University System Board of Regents sets the tuition rates for the system's colleges and universities on an annual basis.

University administrators say they intend to create processes that support seamless transition between campuses and degree programs, as needed, to facilitate students' continued progress toward degree completion.

Students interested in enrollment as part of the university's Corps of Cadets would be required to enroll in a baccalaureate program on the Dahlonega campus and comply with the program's residency policy.