Baccalaureate Admissions

Verification of Lawful Presence

Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States

In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4, all applicants who are accepted for admission or readmission to North Georgia College & State University for Fall 2011, or any academic semester thereafter, and who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition paying purposes, will be required to provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the State of Georgia and the United States.

United States citizens and permanent residents who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition paying purposes must provide one of the following un-expired documents. 

  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. A photocopy is not acceptable.
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N‐550 or N‐570).
  • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N‐560 or N‐561).
  • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS‐1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS‐240).
  • Current U.S. Passport.
  • Current Georgia driver’s License issued after January 1, 2008, that is valid for more than two years and not labeled with "Limited Term" (A limited term license or a license issued for a period of less than two years cannot be accepted).
  • Current ID issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008, that is valid for more than two years and not labeled with "Limited Term" (A limited term ID  or an ID  issued for a period of less than two years cannot be accepted).
  • Current military ID (for service members only, not dependents).
  • Current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). Must present original card in person. A photcopy is not acceptable.

The University of North Georgia accepts copies of all documents except the certified U.S. birth certificate and Permanent Resident Alien Card.  http://www.vitalchek.com provides instructions for ordering a certified U.S. birth certificate.

Applicants who are not United States citizens and not permanent residents and seek to be classified for in-state tuition must the following:

  • Current copy of your visa and I-94. If you have a current Employment Authorization Card, please attach a copy of it to your documents.

The University of North Georgia is required to verify the lawful presence of in-coming students who have not provided one of the above documents and seek to be classified for in-state tuition with one of the following methods:

  • Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program if you do not have a current F or J visa.
  • SEVIS for non-citizens possessing an F or J visa. 

If you have one of the documents listed above (except your birth certificate), you may wish to scan it and, if readable, send it as an attachment to the Admissions Office via e-mail so that it can be added to your application file.  Please note that we cannot accept copies of the U.S. birth certificate; instead, original certified U.S. birth certificates must be mailed to the Admissions office.