Online Colleges in Georgia
Students, if you’ve got Georgia on your mind, you can’t go wrong!
Georgia has a number of top-ranking higher education institutions to choose from, but it’s their online initiatives that really set them apart. The state has developed a comprehensive website to help students begin the online learning journey, and additional programs to help broaden the experience for those enrolled.
The state of Georgia has proven it is highly dedicated to education, and is taking huge steps to advance online education in particular.
Overview of Higher Education in Georgia
Georgia is home to 130 degree-granting institutions, according to a 2015-2016 report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NES). That total includes 53 public schools, 36 private non-profit schools and 41 private for-profit schools.
Tuition in the southern state is lower than the national average. Collegeboard.org reports that Georgia residents attending a 4-year institution will pay an average of $8450 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students will pay $25,120, on average.
Residents of many southern states will pay less, however, thanks to Georgia’s involvement in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The SREB shares educational resources among 15 participating states, and makes it possible for students to enroll in programs at any participating state and pay in-state rates.
About Online Colleges in Georgia
According to the NES, 9.6% of students in Georgia are pursing degrees completely online. Another 14.9% are enrolled in some but not all online courses.
Those numbers continue to rise as Georgia proves it’s on the forefront of the online learning initiative.
One of the state’s premier resources, GeorgiaONmyLINE, offers access to the hundreds of online degree programs and courses offered through the 29 public schools within the University System of Georgia. The site can help users choose a degree level, a school and a program, apply for acceptance, and sign up for classes – all in one place!
Because of their growing popularity, some online degree programs have their own dedicated hubs. Georgia WebMBA and WebBSIT, for example, make it possible for MBA and Information Technology students respectively, to connect with professors and fellow students and access research at all participating schools. This collaboration is something more online facilities may offer in the future.
Students interested in getting an online degree in Georgia will be particularly impressed by the University of Georgia. The school consistently does well in US News & World Reports, Kiplingers and Princeton Review’s rankings, and is considered one of the country’s top research institutions. University of Georgia boasts more than 140 online degree programs in a variety of disciplines.
Scholarships and Financial Aid in Georgia
If you want to attend college in Georgia, you’ll want to start the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) , which will give you access to federal, state and private financial aid.
It’s important to apply as soon as possible once the FAFSA is available, on October 1st each year. Funds are distributed on a first come, first served bases.
The application itself is free and easy to complete. Simply input financial information for you and your parents (unless you’re considered an “independent” by FAFSA’s standards), and wait. You will receive information about what aid you qualify for, and the schools you’ve chosen may offer additional resources as well.
The ideal type of financial aid is a grant or scholarship, since these do not have to be repaid.
Georgia offers a number of exclusive grants to help residents afford college. Here are some of the grants available exclusively to Georgia residents:
- HOPE Grant – More than 170,000 grants awarded each year; Must maintain 2.0 GPA; Award amount varies
- Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant – Private college or university student; Must maintain required academic progress as defined by the school; Non-need based; Up to $350 per semester for up to 3 semesters per year
- Move On When Ready (MOWR) Program – Support for high school students taking college coursework; Award typically covers tuition, fees and book costs
The state of Georgia offers several other grants, including those for GED recipients, dependants of disabled/deceased public safety officers, and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) participants.
Scholarships are available for a wide variety of things, from geographic location to chosen field of study, and even for quirky traits and skills.
Here are some of the many scholarships open to Georgia residents:
| Scholarship Name | Details | Scholarship amount |
| GreenHouse Scholars Scholarship | High school senior in 1 of 4 states; Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher; Financial need; Demonstrate leadership, perseverance and commitment to community |
Up to $5000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years, plus additional $2000 grant for projects and experiences |
| Hope Scholarship | High school graduate; Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; Additional background and academic requirements |
Varies by school and enrolled hours |
| Zell Miller Scholarship
|
High school graduate; Valedictorian, salutatorian or cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher, combined score of 1200 or better on math and reading portions of SAT and 26 or better on the ACT); Additional background and academic requirements |
Varies by school and enrolled hours |
| Georgia Helping Educate Reservists and Their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship Program | Members of the Georgia National Guard and US Military Reservists who served in combat zones, and their children and spouses |
Up to $2000 per academic year |
| The B. Phinizy Spalding & Hubert B. Spalding Scholarships | First-year college students; Majoring in historic preservation or related fields (archaeology, architecture, history and planning); Plan to work in Georgia after graduation |
$1000 (2) |
More scholarships can be found through scholarship search sites such as Fastweb.com. By entering basic information, the site will match you with dozens of scholarship opportunities.
You may also check with the financial aid office at the school of your choice. They will be able to tell you whether you qualify for any private assistance and how to apply.
List of Online Colleges in Georgia
| Online Colleges in Georgia | Location | Annual Tuition | Accreditation | Application Fee |
| Albany State University | Albany, Georgia | $5,490 | Regional | $25 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, Georgia | $11,634 | Regional | $60 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia | $12,212 | Regional | $75 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | $8,974 | Regional | $60 |
| Augusta University | Augusta, Georgia | $16,872 | Regional | $50 |
| University of West Georgia | Carrollton, Georgia | $6,143 | Regional | $40 |
| Truett McConnell University | Cleveland, Georgia | $18,510 | Regional | $0 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, Georgia | $6,031 | Regional | $40 |
| Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, Georgia | $6,060 | Regional | $40 |
| Mercer University | Macon, Georgia | $35,130 | Regional | $50 |
| Georgia Military College | Milledgeville, Georgia | $6,128 | Regional | $35 |
| Shorter University | Rome, Georgia | $21,730 | Regional | $25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia | $35,690 | Regional | $40 |
| South University, Online Programs | Savannah, Georgia | $13,420 | Regional | $0 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Georgia | $6,273 | Regional | $30 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, Georgia | $16,940 | Regional | $35 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, Georgia | $6,297 | Regional | $40 |
Conclusion
Students pursuing a degree in Georgia can be confident they are getting a top-notch education.
Not only does the state boast award-winning traditional schools, but its online programs are among the best in the country. The support and resources available to Georgia’s online students prove that the state is dedicated to ensuring their success.
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