General College Admissions

Florida Gateway College adheres to the open-door admissions policy for lower-division programs, providing open-access to superior, affordable, quality education and training opportunities as permitted by state admission requirements and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status in accordance with the law.

Florida Gateway College adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. Students may obtain further assistance and information by contacting Janice Irwin, Coordinator of Disability Services at (386) 754-4215. The Disability Services Office is located in Building 017, Room 021, 149 SE College Place, Lake City, Florida 32025

Although admission to associate degree programs requires that an applicant have graduated from high school, have a general education diploma (GED) issued by a state department of education, or have satisfactorily completed their home-educated requirements as required by F.S. 1007.263, a limited number of certificate programs are available regardless of high school graduation.

Admission Procedures

Prospective students are required to complete a FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit. Students must provide official transcripts indicative of high school graduation when and if applicable, as well as transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning. A number of Associate in Science and Certificate programs are classified as limited access programs, signifying that they are programs for which a limited numbers of students are admitted each semester or year. Limited access programs typically involve a selection process whereby prospective students submit a separate program application with required documents in addition to the standard application for admission to the college. Applicants interested in enrolling in a limited access program should contact the appropriate program director as early as possible. Admission to the College does not imply nor guarantee admission into any program with special admission requirements.

Additionally, admission to the College does not signify that you have met or will meet requirements for professional licensure. If your intended program of study requires professional licensure you are encouraged to obtain information relative to those licensure requirements prior to entering the program of study.

NOTE: Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes, establishes an “excess hour” surcharge for a student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a state university. It is critical that students, including those entering Florida colleges, are aware of the potential for additional course fees. “Excess hours” are defined as hours that go beyond 115% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program. For example, if the length of the program is 120 credit hours, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 138 credit hours (120 x 115%).

All students whose educational plan may include earning a bachelor’s degree should make every effort to enroll in and successfully complete those courses that are required for the intended major on their first attempt. Florida college students intending to transfer to a state university should identify a major or “transfer program” early and be advised of admission requirements for that program, including approved common prerequisites. Course withdrawals and/or repeats, as well as enrollment in courses non-essential to the intended major, may contribute to a potential excess hour surcharge.

Admission procedures for all degree, certificate and applied technology diploma students are listed below by type of admission. Contact an admissions representative for application materials and admission information at:

Office of Admissions
Florida Gateway College
149 S.E. College Place
Lake City, Florida 32025
(386) 754-4287

First-Time in College Student/Freshman  
(someone who has never attended college)

1. submit a complete FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit and supporting documentation, and;
2. official transcripts that verify high school graduation. This includes home school affidavits and/or a GED transcript, all of which must include a graduation date.

Re-admit Student
(someone who was previously enrolled at FGC or LCCC as a dual enrollment student OR someone who has not attended FGC or LCCC in the last year, but was previously enrolled)

1. submit a complete FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit and supporting documentation, and;
2. official transcripts that verify high school graduation. This includes home school affidavits and/or a GED transcript, all of which must include a graduation date. If previously provided student does not need to re-submit.
3. official transcripts from any other post-secondary institution that the student may have attended while not enrolled at FGC.

Transfer Student
(someone who is entering FGC and has attended any college, university, or technical school, regardless of credit earned).

1. a complete FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit and supporting documentation, and;
2. official transcripts that verify high school graduation. This includes home school affidavits and/or a GED transcript, all of which must include a graduation date.
3. official transcripts from each post-secondary institution previously attended.
4. official copies of college placement scores, if needed. (Ex: ACT, SAT, etc.)

Transient Student 
(someone who is currently enrolled at another college and is not seeking a degree at FGC. The transient student typically seeks to enroll at FGC for a limited period of time – usually one semester).

1. a complete FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit and supporting documentation, and;
2. transient student form/letter from institution where degree is being sought. Florida students may access an electronic transient student form by going to www.facts.org and selecting the transient student form link under the college students tab.

Non-degree Seeking/Personal Enrichment
(someone who wishes to enroll in courses without the intent of working toward a degree, certificate or applied technology diploma). Personal enrichment students will be required to show proof of graduation from high school.

1. a complete FGC application for admission, inclusive of the residency affidavit and supporting documentation, and;
2. official transcripts that verify high school graduation with graduation date posted, GED or home school affidavit, and;
3. English, reading and/or math assessment scores, if applicable for course selection.

A student may continue in the non-degree/personal enrichment status as long as the courses attempted indicate no intention of working toward a degree, certificate or applied technology diploma. A student who attempts more than 12 credit hours will be required to declare a major prior to future registrations, unless he or she already has an associate degree or higher. This requirement may be waived in special circumstances by the appropriate dean.

A non-degree student/personal enrichment student who wishes to pursue a degree, certificate or applied technology diploma must contact the Office of Admissions to request a change in status. Appropriate admission requirements must be met in accordance with the change in status.

High School Dual Enrollment/Early College Program

Florida Gateway College, in cooperation with the school boards of Baker, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Union counties, area private schools, and home schooled students, provides dual enrollment opportunities for academically qualified high school students. Students who enroll in the program and attend public high schools will have tuition, books, and fees waived. Students who enroll in the program and attend nonpublic high schools or home schools will have tuition and fees waived.

1. Academic Dual Enrollment
   Students in grades 10-12 who earn high school credit toward a high school diploma and college credit toward an associate degree. Students may be part time or full time.
2. Occupational Dual Enrollment
   Students in grades 10-12 who earn high school credit towards a high school diploma and college credit toward an associate degree or credit toward a occupational certificate from a complete job preparatory program, not including isolated occupational courses.
3. Early Admissions
   Students who qualify are enrolled full time in college courses that are creditable towards a high school diploma and an associate or baccalaureate degree and must have completed a minimum of six semesters of full-time academic enrollment in grades nine-11. Students enrolled in Early Admissions must complete two semesters for a total of 24 credit hours with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.

To be considered for admission to the dual enrollment program a student must:

1. be enrolled in grades 10-12 in an eligible school,
2. submit a completed Dual Enrollment Application for Admission with appropriate signatures and approvals,
3. submit an official high school transcript. (Students applying for associate programs must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible. Students applying for certificate programs must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, meet all program entrance requirements, and be accepted by the division chairperson),
4. provide official evidence of college level competencies through PERT, ACT, or SAT, and
5. receive written notice of acceptance from the Director of Admissions.

International Admission

1. a complete FGC international student application for admission,
2. a confidential financial statement reflecting evidence of adequate financial resources for the period of enrollment,
3. all foreign educational transcripts which must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation and translation service, and
4. test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) scores, with a minimum score of 500 on the TOEFL paper exam, 173 on the TOEFL computerized-based test, or 61 on the TOEFL internet-based test.

All of the aforementioned items must be received before a decision regarding acceptance to the college can be made, or an I-20 can be issued by the college.

Upon arrival at FGC, the international student is required to provide

1. copies of all immigration documents, including passport
2. proof of health insurance to cover medical costs while in the United States.

International students are assessed tuition at full cost. Fees are due at the time of registration and may be paid in cash, check, or money order in U.S. currency.

Georgia Four-County Differential/Residency Classification Request

Georgia residents who reside in Echols, Clinch, Ware, or Charlton counties may be eligible for Florida in-state tuition rates at FGC due to the proximity of their residence to the College. Qualification is based upon documented evidence of a legal residence in the state of Georgia in the following counties: Echols, Clinch, Ware, or Charlton. Georgia residents of the aforementioned counties who wish to apply for the differential tuition rate should complete the Residency Classification Request form upon application for admission to the College.

Residency Classification

It is important to understand that living or attending college in Florida is not equivalent to establishing a legal residence. Living or attending school in Florida simply indicates physical presence - not legal residence. Legal residency in Florida is established when certain legal ties to the state are made. A student is not automatically a Florida resident after living 12 months in the state of Florida.

All applicants for admission to Florida Gateway College are required to complete a statement concerning their state of legal residency. The affidavit of residence is part of the admission application.

A copy of the Florida Statutes which pertain to residency is excerpted further in this section. A student who wishes more information about residency should contact the Admissions Office. A student who seeks to become a Florida “resident for tuition purposes” after enrolling at the College must complete an application through the Registrar’s Office for such purpose.

Florida Resident Requirements for Tuition Purposes

The Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes policy is based upon state statute (Section 1009.21), rules the two higher education governing boards in Florida and statewide guidelines developed by college and university administrators in conjunction with the Statewide Residency Committee and the Florida Department of Education. Students and their families should consult these documents for specific details including exceptions and further qualifications.

As part of the admission process, a student applying to a state college or university must complete a residency form or affidavit in order to declare Florida residency for tuition purposes. College staff will review this information and related documentation to verify residency and eligibilty for in-state tuition. Residency is determined by the postsecondary institution (i.e., college or university). There is no appeal of the decision to a higher governmental agency. Questions regarding a student’s initial residency status/classification should be directed to the college’s admissions office staff.

Major areas of consideration that college staff review when determining residency include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Is the student a dependent or independent student? Dependent or independent status will be based on a copy of a student’s or his/her parent’s or legal guardian’s most recent tax return and/or other documentation as appropriate.
2. Has the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian if the student is considered dependent) established legal ties to Florida? College personnel reviewing a student’s application for residency purposes will require various forms of documentation to verify legal ties and timelines. A student and his/her parent or legal guardian will be asked to provide copies of driver’s licenses or State of Florida Identification Cards, voter registration, proof of purchaes of permanent home or full-time Florida employment, Florida vehicle registration, or other form of documentation. No single piece of evidence shall be considered exclusive.
   NOTE: A student who is permanently relocating to Florida will be asked to provide official documentation (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.) in order to establish a starting point for his/her 12 month residency requirement.
3. Has the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian is the student is considered dependent) established a physical presence in Florida for at least twelve (12) months immediately preceding the first day of classes for which Florida residency is sought?
4. Has the intent of residing in Florida for the required 12 month period been for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile rather than for the purpose of enrollment in an institution of higher education? A student who comes to Florida to enroll full-time in a state college or university as an out-of-state resident and continuously enrolls in a state college or university will not normally meet the Florida residency requirements for in-state tuition regardless of the length of time enrolled.

Further detailed information

Residency decisions are based upon Florida Statute and Board of Governors Regulation.

Residency Statute

Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes, outlines the broad legal parameters for establishing residency for tuition purposes in Florida public higher education institutions. It is the highest level of authority regarding residency as established by the Florida Legislature. This statute also provides authority for the Department of Education to establish rules related to residency for tuition purposes.

Residency Rules/Regulations

In 2005, the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors for the State University System adopted an identical residency rule. This rule was forwarded for consideration by the Articulation Coordination Committee (ACC). The Statewide Residency Committee, a subcommittee of the ACC, proposes changes to this rule based on feedback from community colleges, universities and independent institutions. The residency rule provides more detail than statute regarding the process and requirements for residency. However, it may not conflict with any of the broader requirements in statute.

Residency Guidelines

A Residency Guidelines documented was adopted by the Articulation Coordinating Committee to assist college and university administrators in implementing Section 1009.21, Florida Statutesl Rule 6A.10.044 and 6A-20.003, Florida Administrative Code; and the Board of Governors (BOG) Residency Regulation. The guidelines are maintained by the Statewide Residency Committee which is comprised of residency experts from the state’s public colleges and universities.

Students and their families should consult these documents for specific details, including exceptions and further qualifications. Questions regarding a student’s initial residency status/classification should be directed to the college’s admissions office staff.

Programs with Separate Admission Requirements
(programs that require a separate program application with required documents which are in addition to the standard admission application to FGC).

The following programs require separate/additional admission requirements which should be submitted to the corresponding departments. Please contact the appropriate department listed below or refer to the program in the catalog for additional information:

Academy of Allied Health Programs
Director, (386) 754-4368

Academy of Teacher Preparation Programs
Executive Director, (386) 754-4266

Public Service Training Center – Olustee
Criminal Justice Programs Director, (386) 754-4303
Emergency Medical Svcs. Prog. Coordinator (386) 754-4292

Golf/Landscape Operations
Director, (386) 754-4225

Liberal Arts
Dean, (386) 754-4209

Occupational Programs
Cosmetology Coordinator, (386) 754-4411