Consumer Information
Guide to Student Consumer Information
This page contains several types of information related to life at Georgia Highlands College (GHC). We hope this one-stop shop can answer questions and provide guidance for all who are interested in learning more about the college. Each area of information provides websites where you can find more details.
I. General Institutional Information
Institutional and Program Accreditation, Approval, or Licensure -- GHC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS) to award associate degrees.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/spaa-accreditation
State Authorization for Distance Learning and Complaint Process for Distance Students
https://www2.highlands.edu/site/elearning-state-authorization
Student Body Diversity -- GHC's Student Achievement Data web site provides demographic and academic information as well as links to the GHC Fact Book.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/spaa-student-achievement-data
Privacy of Student Records - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) -- FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/registrar-ferpa
Office of Admissions/Admission Requirements -- discover the steps and requirements to become a GHC student
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/admissions
Admissions Deadlines -- what is the deadline to apply?
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/admissions-deadlines
Student Activities -- when I become a student, what activities are there for me?
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/student-life (Must click links on the left of the screen for the different OSL areas/student activities.)
Consumer Information on College Navigator Website
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=georgia+highlands+college&s=all&id=139700
Facilities and Services Available to Students with Disabilities -- GHC provides services for students with disabilities through the Office of Student Support Services. Disability Support Counselors are available at each campus.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/sss-disability-support
Price of Attendance -- tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year. Please see this link for the most recent schedule of tuition and fees.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/tuition-and-fees
University System of Georgia Board of Regents Policy on Tuition and Fees
http://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section7/policy/7.3_tuition_and_fees/
Net Price Calculator -- use this tool to estimate your cost of attendance at GHC
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/business-office-net-price-calc
Student Financial Aid Information for GHC Found on College Navigator
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Georgia+Highlands+College&s=all&id=139700#finaid
Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawals and for the Return of Federal Financial Aid Funds
Steps to Withdraw and Refund Information from the Registrar: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/registrar-steps-to-withdraw
Requirement for the Return of Federal Financial Aid Funds upon Complete Withdrawal:
http://www2.highlands.edu/inc/files/userfiles/5-82e8cc8a23c9ba4-DropvsWithdrawalR2T4webcontent.pdf
Business Office Refund Schedule: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/business-office-refund-schedule
Financial Aid Refund Flow Chart: http://www2.highlands.edu/inc/files/userfiles/22-9645906aa5d5f1e-bop.pdf
Textbook Information
General Bookstore link: http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&demoKey=d&storeId=173904
Textbook lookup: http://www.bkstr.com/CategoryDisplay/10001-9604-173904-1?demoKey=d
Academic Program (Educational Programs, Instructional Facilities, and Faculty)
Degrees Offered: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/admissions-degrees-offered
Facilities: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/locations-and-campus-maps
Faculty: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/index.php?ghc=directory&alpha=5
GHC Catalog: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/college-catalog
Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements -- find information here for the most efficient ways to transfer to a four-year institution.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/advising-transfer
Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions (Including Computer Use and File Sharing)
Copyright Policies (Library): http://www2.highlands.edu/site/library-policies-copyright
Computer Policies (Information Technology): http://www2.highlands.edu/site/is-policies
II. Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information -- discover the types of Financial Aid available at GHC
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid
Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid
III. Student Financial Assistance
Student Financial Aid Information -- find out the basics on how Financial Aid works at GHC, including how to check your Financial Aid status.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid
http://www2.highlands.edu/inc/files/userfiles/22-69501951edb0c45-fap.pdf
Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
FAFSA list of eligibility requirements: https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/fftoc03a.htm
FAQ on how drug law violations can affect eligilbility: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/criminal-convictions#drug-convictions
GHC General Eligibility: https://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid-faq
IV. Teacher Preparation Program
Teacher Preparation Program Report -- each year the college reports information regarding Teacher Preparation to the state, which submits the information to the US Department of Education. State by state information is available in the compiled report made available by the US Department of Education.
https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Report/StateHome.aspx
V. Health and Safety
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
Vaccinations Policies
http://www2.highlands.edu/inc/files/userfiles/1-40221a7d76f8cd8-immunization.pdf
Security Report (Including Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures), Timely Warnings, and Crime Log
Emergency Response Guide: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/campus-safety-emergency-response-guide
Timely Warnings: https://www2.highlands.edu/site/connect/update_text.php
Crime Log: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/campus-safety-crime-statistics
Fire Safety Report
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/campus-safety-fire-safety
VI. Student Outcomes
Retention, Graduation and Transfer Rates -- a searchable database provided by the University System of Georgia (USG) exists to help interested parties research enrollment, retention and graduation at any USG institution. The GHC Fact Book provides data related to these areas, plus transfer and more.
USG by the Numbers: http://www.info.usg.edu/
Student Achievement Data (includes links to GHC Fact Book): http://www2.highlands.edu/site/spaa-student-achievement-data
Student Learning Outcomes -- GHC has a long tradition of assessing student learning as well as the administrative functions of the college. The Office of Strategic Planning, Assessment and Accreditation's website on Assessment provides many details of how the GHC system works.
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/spaa-assessments
VII. Intercollegiate Athletic Program
GHC Athletics
VIII. Voter Registration
Voter Registration Facility
https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button
IX. Disclosure Requirements Relating to Education Loans
State Grant Assistance -- GHC supports several federal and state grant programs for students
http://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid-grants
Student Loan Information Published by Department of Education
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
National Student Loan Data System
http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/
Entrance Counseling for Student Borrowers
https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/counselingInstructions.action
Exit Counseling for Student Borrowers
GHC page has instructions and a link to complete the process: http://www2.highlands.edu/site/financial-aid-loans
https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/counselingInstructions.action
Private Education Loan Disclosures (Including Self-Certification Form)
Students do not self-certify here. GHC certifies the student with partnership with Sallie Mae
Code of Conduct for Education Loans
Preferred Lender Lists
GHC only accepts private loans from one company: Sallie Mae.
Preferred Lender Arrangements