Over the past few weeks, we have seen our Georgia Highlands College family adjust and adapt to an ever-changing environment as we navigate our way to delivering remote instruction for the remainder of Spring 2020 semester.  

At this time, all 26 University System of Georgia institutions are working as quickly as possible to issue partial refunds to students due to this change in course delivery.

GHC will refund students who have paid or been assessed the GHC parking fee, GHC student activity fee, or the Spring 2020 meal plan fee, with the following considerations:

1.      March 16th is considered the last service date for refunds.

2.      For those with GHC meal plans, 39% of the respective Spring 2020 rate will be refunded

3.      For GHC Parking Fees and Student Activity Fees, 46.28% will be refunded, based on the number of days remaining in the term from March16th forward.

Consistent with the USG guidance, GHC will not provide refunds for tuition, the Special Institutional Fee, the Technology Fee, or other fees not previously mentioned as these remain critical in supporting continuity of instruction and associated support. Separately, students who choose to withdraw entirely will be refunded in accordance with GHC’s normal refund schedule.

We expect to begin issuing refunds the week of March 30th. Refunds will be processed to the refund method that students have previously selected. Please note that direct deposit is the fastest refund method. For information about refunds or how to update your refund preference, please visit GHC Refunds Frequently Asked Questions

We understand you may have questions about this process, and we invite you to visit GHC’s Business Office page for more information, or for all Student Account related questions, please email bursarsoffice@highlands.edu

Once again, thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented and challenging time.  We look forward to continuing to work with you on achieving success here at Georgia Highlands College.

We wanted to take this time to let our students, employees, and community know Georgia Highlands College is Charging Ahead!

The way we teach, advise, support, and much more may change for a little while, but one thing remains true: whether we connect in person or remotely, we care about you, and we care about your success here at GHC.

Let’s continue to meet any obstacle the same way students and employees at our college always have: by Charging Ahead together.

In an effort to increase academic success and degree completion, GHC will be extending a number of deadlines at this time. We believe this will help students focus on the transition to remote delivery set for March 30.

The last day to withdraw from classes without academic penalty is outlined here:

Additionally, the new summer term payment deadline will now be May 19.

We understand you may still have many questions. Please visit GHC’s dedicated page for Frequently Asked Questions here for information as it relates specifically to GHC.

If you don’t find the answer to your question, please speak to your instructor about anything related to your classes or academics, and for other questions, please feel free to use GHC411.

You may also find resources for GHC students and employees by visiting this Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Information and Resources site.

GHC’s information and resource page and FAQs page will be reviewed and updated frequently.

Again, we want to thank you for your continued support and patience during this time. Georgia Highlands College is working to keep you informed while we continue to diligently address challenges surrounding COVID-19 together.

Graduation is an important time of year, and we are always very excited to celebrate your academic success.

As you know, GHC will be postponing the graduation ceremony set for May 16 and nursing pinning set for May 15, but that doesn’t mean we are not going to commemorate your special moment.

At this time, we are working to have a commencement ceremony and nursing pinning ceremony later this summer. We will be rescheduling these events for a later date when we are confident of the safety and well-being for our graduates and their guests. We will begin posting additional details as they become available.

The decision to postpone commencement ceremonies is due to the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance to avoid gatherings as well as for the need for increased social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19 at this time. You may read more about this decision on the University System of Georgia website.

For now, here are a few answers to some of your immediate questions:

• Does this mean I can’t graduate?

Students will still graduate consistent with academic standards, but the actual ceremonies will not be held as originally scheduled. New ceremony dates will be announced as soon as possible.

• What if I already ordered regalia for graduation?

Great news! Graduation is still going to happen! If you have already ordered your regalia, that order will be held for you. We will open registration for additional orders at a later date.

• How do I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed directly to you. Please make sure your current address is consistent with our records by reviewing your information. Students can update their contact information on Banner through SCORE, if needed.

• How do I get a diploma cover?

As usual, diploma covers are provided to students who attend graduation. You will receive our special 50th anniversary commemorative diploma cover at your commencement.

Please also visit GHC’s dedicated page for Frequently Asked Questions here for information as it relates specifically to GHC or you may also find resources for GHC students and employees by visiting this Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources site. These pages will be reviewed and updated frequently.

Again, I want to thank you for your continued support and patience. We will continue to keep you informed as we address these challenging times together.

Per the guidance of the University System of Georgia, Georgia Highlands College will postpone the graduation ceremony set for May 16 and nursing pinning set for May 15. Students will still graduate consistent with academic standards, but the actual ceremonies will not be held as originally scheduled.

The USG and GHC continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to avoid gatherings.

We will be rescheduling the 2020 graduation ceremonies, including the nursing pinning, for a later date when we are confident of the safety and well-being for our graduates and their guests. We will begin posting additional details as they become available.

Please read more about this decision on the University System of Georgia website.

Additionally, as a reminder, GHC will be implementing a new directive from the USG to complete the Spring 2020 semester through remote learning programs. No classes will be held in person on any of GHC’s locations for the remainder of the semester.

Please note that all remote learning for GHC students will begin on Monday, March 30 and continue for the remainder of the semester.

GHC will remain open but will operate with minimal staffing on campus to ensure the continuity of critical services. All other services are available in a remote setting.

As we work to keep you informed and we continue to diligently address challenges surrounding COVID-19 together, please continue to speak with your instructors or immediate supervisor about any questions you may have.

You may also visit GHC’s dedicated page for Frequently Asked Questions here for information as it relates specifically to GHC or you may also find resources for GHC students and employees by visiting this Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Information and Resources site. These pages will be reviewed and updated frequently.

As always, your health and safety are our highest priority, and your success here at GHC remains our biggest mission. We will continue to work together to achieve completion, graduation, and academic success goals.

We want to thank you for your continued support and patience during this time. Georgia Highlands College is working to keep you informed while we continue to diligently address challenges surrounding COVID-19 together.

Your health and safety are always our highest priority, and your success here at GHC remains our biggest mission. Just like every semester, we will work together to achieve completion, graduation, and academic success goals.

Per the USG instructions, classes are suspended effective Monday (March 16) for two weeks. Students should not return to campus until they receive permission from their institution. Students should wait for GHC to contact them about returning to the campus via their student email, D2L, Navigate, or the GHC Notify system.

Additionally, institutions will continue to have minimal staff physically on-site to ensure continuity of certain services.

At this time, GHC is planning and intends to convert all classes to remote delivery on March 30. We know these are unusual and ever evolving circumstances for all and we appreciate your patience as we work through this together.

Due to the unscheduled suspension of instruction for two weeks, and in an effort to keep everyone on track this semester as well as for each student’s success, GHC will be moving its currently scheduled Spring Break from April 6-12 to March 23-29, as well. Because of this change, GHC will seek to accommodate scheduling conflicts that any students and employees may encounter. You may learn more about Spring Break information and the change by visiting GHC’s site here.

We understand you may still have many questions. Please visit GHC’s dedicated page for Frequently Asked Questions here for information as it relates specifically to GHC.

If you don’t find the answer to your question, please speak to your instructor about anything related to your classes or academics, and for other questions, please feel free to use GHC411.

You may also find resources for GHC students and employees by visiting this Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Information and Resources site.

GHC’s information and resource page and FAQs page will be reviewed and updated frequently.

Please also note that no students will be penalized for missing a currently published deadline as we work to address any questions or concerns. Updated deadlines will be provided accordingly. Deadlines regarding coursework should be discussed with instructors.

In the end, we want to ensure that our faculty, staff and students are safe; that we do our part to help stem the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia; and that we fulfill our mission to graduate our students even in the face of these challenging times.

As you heard on Thursday (March 12), Georgia Highlands College will temporarily suspend classes, including online classes, for all students effective Monday (March 16) for two weeks.

Please note, if you are a student of eCore or eMajor, your classes will resume as scheduled.

The reason for the temporary suspension of classes is to allow time for USG institutions to test their business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia.

All on-campus student-sponsored events, meetings, and activities will be postponed until further notice.

We understand you may have a lot of questions.

Your instructors will begin to reach out to you with specifics, and we will update you with more information no later than Tuesday afternoon (March 17). Please continue to check your GHC student email and highlands.edu for updates as they become available.

As always, the health of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority, as well as each student’s academic success and future. We will continue to work with the University System of Georgia leaders in collaboration with state officials and Georgia Department of Public Health to act on the most up-to-date guidance available.

Following Governor Kemp’s press conference on March 12, Georgia Highlands College will continue to work with the University System of Georgia to provide updates as they become available. At this time, starting Monday (March 16), all University System of Georgia institutions, including Georgia Highlands College, will temporarily suspend classes for students for two weeks as the institutions continue to work on their business continuity plans. Please check highlands.edu for updates and additional details as they become available.