Adult Learners & Online Learning

Acceptance is based on the following criteria:

• Have been out of high school at least five years or high school class graduated at least five years ago.
• Hold a high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school as specified in the Board of Regents policy section 402.0101 or have satisfactorily completed the GED, HiSET, or TASC.
• Have earned between zero (0) and 29 transferable semester credit hours.
• Have a 2.0 or higher on all attempted college work.*

Upon admission, you may be required to take the ACCUPLACER test, a computerized placement test that measures skills in math, reading and writing. Contact the Academic Success Center to schedule a time to take the test. The ACCUPLACER must be completed prior to enrollment. Contact the Academic Success Center for more details.

*If you have under a 2.0 on all attempted college work, you may contact our office to discuss additional options.

Most adult transfer students are actually admitted as a regular transfer student. Learn more about transfer admissions here.

Acceptance is based on the following criteria:

• Have been out of high school at least five years or high school class graduated at least five years ago.
• Hold a high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school as specified in the Board of Regents policy section 402.0101 or have satisfactorily completed the GED, HiSET or TASC.
• Have earned 30+ transferable semester credit hours.
• Have a 2.0 or higher on all attempted college work.*

*If you have under a 2.0 GPA on all attempted college work, you may contact our office to discuss additional options.

If you have been out of college for five or more years, we strongly recommend that you contact the Academic Success Center to learn more about the services provided to help you succeed in college.

Transfer and spring/fall transient students who have taken remedial, learning support, and/or required high school curriculum make-up courses in college must:

• Exit those courses successfully, and
• Earn credit for Area A equivalent courses that correspond to the mandated remedial/learning support courses with a “C” or higher.

Adults 62 years or older who have been residents of Georgia for at least one year may attend college classes at no tuition cost on a space-available basis.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the undergraduate application for admission and submit the $30 application fee online.
• Submit proof of age, identification, proof of Georgia residency, and the Senior Citizens Tuition and Fees Waiver to the Office of Admissions.
• You will be notified in writing by the Office of Admissions as soon as your admissions process is completed.

Degree-Seeking 62+ Students Only

• Submit an official high school transcript (or GED scores) to the Office of Admissions if you have no prior college work.
• If you have previously attended college, submit official college transcripts from all prior institutions to the Office of Admissions.
• Take the Accuplacer placement exam through Testing Services. This exam will determine if you need to take refresher courses in reading, English, and/or mathematics.
• After taking the Accuplacer exam, contact the Advisement Center to schedule your advising appointment.
• If you previously attended Georgia Southern or Armstrong State but have been away for three semesters or more, you must reapply.

Auditors/Non-Degree Seeking Students

• If you are auditing as a 62+ student, have official transcripts sent from the last college attended.
• Accuplacer placement exam is not required if you choose to audit your classes instead of taking them for credit.

Registration

• For registration questions, please visit or contact the Office of the Registrar.
• You may sign up for any class provided you meet pre-requisites and the course is not closed.
• You must select AUDIT or CREDIT on the advisement form. This selection cannot be changed after the semester begins.
• 62+ students who wish to enter closed courses must get the signature of the class professor and the department head prior to registration.

Payment

• You do not have to pay tuition or student activities/athletic fees.
• You do, however, have to pay:
  • laboratory fees
  • parking fees
  • book fees
  • special course fees
  • equipment fees

Upon enrolling at Georgia Southern, your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). This crucial form allows both the U.S. federal government and Georgia Southern to assess your eligibility for federal grants, loans and work-study programs. It’s important to note that federal aid is not restricted by age — whether you’re an adult learner or a high school senior, you complete the same FAFSA®.

Even if you find that you don’t qualify for grants, filling out the FAFSA® is still highly beneficial. It enables you to access federal and state-funded student loans, which typically offer lower interest rates and more favorable repayment terms compared to private student loans. By taking advantage of these options, you can effectively manage your finances and minimize your educational expenses.

You may feel like you don’t fit the conventional student mold and that there are no scholarship opportunities available for you. Here, that’s not the case — we make affordability our mission.

Explore internal and external scholarship opportunities designed to support adult learners like you:

• Walmart Associate Scholarship
• Osher Reentry Scholarship Program
• Georgia HERO Scholarship Program

Grants serve as invaluable financial aid resources for adults returning to school. These awards, unlike loans, do not require repayment, making them highly beneficial for students seeking assistance with tuition and other educational expenses. Completing the FAFSA® opens avenues to access these grants, providing pivotal financial support to adult learners as they pursue their educational goals.

Potential grant opportunities include:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG)
• Public Safety Memorial Grant (Law Enforcement)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) at Georgia Southern University recognizes and documents learning acquired outside of formal education, assigning credit to subject-relevant exams, licenses, military service and other experiences.

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program acknowledges what students have achieved through these ventures and determines credit value through a structured evaluation system. For students, this program results in fewer repeated courses and helps them save both time and money in working toward their degrees. Learn more about how you can receive credit for prior learning.