Regulations associated with federal student financial aid program include the following requirements: “The institution must make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.” The following paragraphs and links fulfill these obligations.

 

Founded by the citizens of DeKalb County and the DeKalb Board of Education under the Junior College Act of 1958, Georgia Perimeter College opened as DeKalb College with its Clarkston Campus in 1964. It was the only public two-year college in the state supported and controlled by a local board of education. It was established in order that any resident of the DeKalb School District who held a high school diploma or its equivalent and who desired to seek two years of postsecondary education might have the opportunity to do so.  As of fall 2011, Georgia Perimeter College was re-designated as a State College by the University System of Georgia, allowing the institution to offer a limited number of four-year degrees.

 

GPC History

 

Georgia Perimeter College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Georgia Perimeter College.

There is a three-fold purpose for publishing the Commission’s address and contact numbers. This is done to enable interested constituents:

 

Normal inquiries about Georgia Perimeter College, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be made directly to Georgia Perimeter College and not to the Commission’s office.

 

Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 governs the federal student financial aid programs. Georgia Perimeter College is authorized to participate in federal Title IV programs. This authorization does not imply approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of the quality of Georgia Perimeter College’s educational programs.

 

Introduction to Financial Aid

 

Georgia Perimeter College desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Complaints regarding any aspect of Georgia Perimeter College operations should be filed internally to Georiga Perimeter College authorities first and then, if necessary, to external authorities. Contact information for filing complaints is given below.

 

Online Courses and Programs
Ingrid Thompson-Sellers, Interim Dean of Business, PHED & SLIP
GPC Online

Email Ingrid Thompson-Sellers

Students who are enrolled in online courses may submit the Student Complaint Form. Upon submission of the form, the issue is assigned to GPC Online staff for handling or routing to the appropriate parties.. As necessary, complaints are resolved following the same general procedures for students who attend classes on campus. However, for any process that requires that a student appear in person, the college may make other arrangements. For processes that cannot be completed via telephone, e-mail, or written correspondence, the college may set up a two-way videoconference site in place of a meeting on a Georgia Perimeter College campus.

Academic Affairs
Philip Smith , Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs

Email Philip Smith

Student Affairs
Vincent June, Vice President Student Affairs

Email Vincent June
 

Complaint resolution contacts by state

GPC desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Students taking online courses at Georgia Perimeter College from out of state should attempt to resolve any issues or complaints with the college first.  If after following this college's student complaint procedure an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint about Georgia Perimeter College with your state by referring to the following state agencies.  This is in compliance with the federal Department of Education state authorization regulation. Please click on your state to be connected to the contact information should you have a complaint.
 

Georgia Perimeter College is currently not authorized to offer courses in Maryland and Minnesota.

 

If you plan to enroll in online classes at GPC, please check the information provided above to verify that your state has either authorized or exempted our college to offer such classes to you as a resident of that state.  If you reside in an unauthorized state and plan to take distance education classes with GPC Online, please note we are not authorized or exempted to offer classes or programs to you as a resident of that state.  If you have questions or concerns, please send an email to Ingrid Thompson-Sellers or contact GPC Online at (678) 891-2773.