HSI - Mandatory Orientation Option | Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Protect Your Funding Succeed in Your Courses Know Your Resources Contact Us

Dual Enrollment Orientation

Welcome to GPTC -- You Belong Here.

If you are reading this, you have taken a big step. You are not just a high school student anymore -- you are a college student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, and we are so glad you are here. This orientation covers everything you need to know to protect your funding, succeed in your courses, and find the right help when you need it.

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No matter how you found us, you belong here. GPTC serves dual enrollment students from DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, and Decatur public schools -- and students from anywhere who seek us out. This orientation applies to you regardless of where you go to school.

We serve students from:

DeKalb County Rockdale County Newton County Decatur Public Schools + Students Who Find Us!

What this orientation covers:

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Category 1

Protect Your Funding

Registration, GAFutures funding, withdrawals, SAP, and textbooks.

Jump to section →

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Category 2

Succeed in Your Courses

Student systems, no-show assignment, syllabus, grades, and responsibility.

Jump to section →

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Category 3

Know Your Resources

Who to call, accommodations, and how to communicate professionally.

Jump to section →

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Need Help?

Contact the DE Office

dualenrollment@gptc.edu 404-297-9522 x1313

Jump to section →

Category 1

Protect Your Funding

Your state funding is one of the most valuable parts of dual enrollment -- but it comes with real responsibilities. This section covers everything you need to know to keep it protected, from the moment you register to the end of every semester.

Finding Your Student ID and Login Information

Before you can register, log into your student accounts, or contact the HSI office about your enrollment, you need two things: your Student ID (your 900#) and your GPTC login credentials. Here is exactly where to find them.

Check Your Email -- Your Credentials Were Already Sent

Email 1 -- From the DE Office

Subject line: "Congratulations, [Your Name]! You have been accepted!" -- This email confirms your acceptance into the dual enrollment program.

Email 2 -- From GPTC Admissions

From: admissions@gptc.edu -- Subject line: "GPTC Credentials Letter" -- This email contains your Student ID and GPTC login information. This is the one to save.

Your Student ID (900#)

Your Student ID is a 9-digit number beginning with 900. You will find it in your GPTC Credentials Letter email. You will need it for registration forms, Financial Aid, and any time you contact the HSI office.

Example

900123456

Your Username

Your username is everything before the @ symbol in your GPTC student email address. You use this to log into email, Blackboard, MyGPTC, and MFA setup.

Example

jsmith123@student.gptc.edu

Username = jsmith123

Your Initial Password

Unless you have already changed it, your initial GPTC password follows this format: Gptc followed by your birthdate in MMDDYY format (month, day, two-digit year).

Format

GptcMMDDYY

Example -- born March 14, 2009

Gptc031409

Fall 2026

Key Dates at a Glance

These are the dates that matter most for your semester. Add them to your calendar now. Missing a deadline -- especially the withdrawal deadline -- can have serious consequences for your grades and your funding.

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The withdrawal deadline is the most critical date on this list. After October 9, you cannot withdraw from a course without receiving a WF -- which counts as an F on your permanent college transcript and affects your SAP standing and GAFutures funding eligibility.

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Semester Milestones

Start of Classes

August 17

Last Day to Add / Drop

August 21

Last Day to Withdraw Passing
October 9

Spring Registration Begins

October 19

Last Day of Classes

December 6

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Campus Closures & Breaks

Labor Day

September 7

Thanksgiving Break

Nov 23 -- 27

📅 View the Full Academic Calendar

Step 2 of 2

Registration Steps

Once both applications are complete and accepted, students move through three registration steps before they are officially enrolled in their courses.

Student Completes Mandatory Orientation

All new dual enrollment students must complete the GPTC Dual Enrollment Orientation before they can be registered for classes. The orientation is online and covers academic expectations, communication standards, funding requirements, and student responsibilities.

Complete Orientation at gptc.edu/deoi

Counselor Approves Courses in GA Futures

Students work with you to choose courses that fit their graduation plan. You then approve the selected courses in GA Futures. GPTC will not register a student without counselor approval in GA Futures -- this protects the student's funding and their path to on-time graduation.

Your action required Approval does not equal registration

Student Submits Registration Request

Once orientation is complete and your GA Futures approval is on file, the student submits the GPTC registration request form. This is the final step before they are officially enrolled for the semester.

Submit Registration Request Form

Important: Students who withdraw from two or more courses will lose Dual Enrollment funding. Early conversations about course load and student readiness can make a real difference.

Category 2

Succeed in Your Courses

Enrolling is just the beginning. Succeeding in your dual enrollment courses means knowing your systems, staying on top of your responsibilities, and understanding the standards GPTC holds all students to -- because they are the same standards that apply to every college student.

First -- Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Before you can access any of your GPTC student accounts, you need to complete a one-time MFA setup. MFA adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring your password plus a second verification from your phone. You must complete this before your first day of class.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

MFA combines something you know (your password) with something you have (your phone) to protect your account. At GPTC, MFA is required for all students before accessing email, Blackboard, or MyGPTC.

🔒 Okta Verify (Recommended)

GPTC's recommended MFA app. Quick to set up and uses push notifications -- when you log in, just tap Approve on your phone. Works on iPhone and Android.

🔐 Google Authenticator

A reliable alternative if Okta Verify is not compatible with your device. Generates a 6-digit code you enter each time you log in. Works on iPhone and Android.

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Full setup instructions for both apps are available on this orientation page -- scroll down to the MFA Setup section or visit gptc.edu/gptc-mfa-setup for the full guide. If you need help, contact Student Support at studentsupport@gptc.edu or (404) 297-9522 x5399.

Your Three Student Systems

You have three GPTC student accounts that are completely separate from your high school accounts. Log into all three before your first day of class and make sure everything works.

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GPTC Student Email

Your official communication channel with GPTC. Instructors, Financial Aid, and the college all send critical information here.

Check every weekday -- minimum

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MyGPTC Student Portal

Your student dashboard. View your schedule, check your financial aid status, and manage your GPTC account.

Bookmark this page

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Blackboard

Your online learning platform. Assignments, grades, course announcements, and your no-show assignment all live here.

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You are responsible for your inbox. If you miss information because you did not check your GPTC email, that is not an accepted excuse. Funding updates, instructor communications, and emergency alerts all come through your GPTC email -- not your personal account, and not your high school email.

The No-Show Assignment -- Day One, No Exceptions

Every semester, students lose their seat in a course because they miss this one step. Do not let that be you.

Action required -- first day of class

Complete your no-show assignment in Blackboard

Open your course and find the no-show assignment

Complete and submit it -- do not wait until day two

If you do not complete this assignment on Day 1: You may be automatically dropped from the course and will not be able to re-enroll. There are no exceptions to this policy.

🎥 Watch: Finding Blackboard and the No-Show Assignment

This short video shows you exactly where to find Blackboard and how to locate and complete your no-show assignment on your first day.

Having trouble viewing? Watch directly on Canva

Your Syllabus Is Your Contract

Your professor will provide a syllabus on the first day of class. Read the entire thing. Save it. Here is why it matters:

✓ Office hours: When and how to reach your professor directly.

✓ Grading policy: Exactly how your final grade is calculated.

✓ Late work policy: What happens if you miss a deadline -- every professor handles this differently.

✓ Full course schedule: Every assignment, exam, and due date for the semester.

✓ Transfer documentation: If you ever need to dispute out-of-state course transferability, your syllabus is your best evidence. Screenshot it and save it somewhere permanent.

Your Grades Are Permanent

High School

High school report card

Your high school grades stay at your high school.

GPTC

Permanent college transcript

Every grade you earn in a dual enrollment course is recorded here permanently. It follows you to every college application, scholarship, and future financial aid request you will ever make.

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Academic integrity is expected at the college level. Plagiarism and cheating carry serious consequences at GPTC, including a failing grade for the assignment or the course. When in doubt, ask your professor -- never guess.

Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is not optional at GPTC -- it is a condition of your enrollment. Upon admission, you accepted the obligation to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in all academic work. Here is what that means in practice.

Your responsibilities

✓ Refrain from all forms of academic dishonesty in your own work

✓ Report any observed or known incidents of academic dishonesty by others

✓ Cite all sources -- if it is not your original idea, say where it came from

What counts as academic dishonesty

✕ Cheating, lying, tampering, falsifying, or stealing in academic work

✕ Unauthorized notes, phones, calculators, or other tools during graded evaluations

✕ Copying from another student or using non-approved collaboration

✕ Accessing or distributing a test or answer key unethically

✕ Using any source without citing it -- including AI-generated content

A note on artificial intelligence

Using AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or any other AI generator to produce work that you submit as your own is academic dishonesty. This includes writing essays, completing assignments, generating code, answering discussion posts, or producing any graded work using AI without your instructor's explicit permission.

AI can be a powerful learning tool -- but submitting AI-generated content as your own work is no different from copying someone else's paper. If you are unsure whether a tool is permitted, ask your instructor before you use it, not after.

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Consequences are serious. Academic dishonesty can result in a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade for the entire course, and disciplinary action under GPTC policy. Students who knowingly fail to report academic dishonesty committed by others may also face disciplinary action.

Assignments, Technology, and Responsibility

Your professors give you plenty of time to complete your work. Assignments are posted in advance, and the expectation is that you manage your time accordingly. Technology problems, personal conflicts, and scheduling issues are your responsibility to plan around.

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Tech support closes at 5pm and is not available on weekends. Do not wait until Sunday night to discover you cannot access your assignment. Verify your access to all required tools and extensions well before the due date.

✕ Technology issues you waited until the last minute to deal with

✕ Other homework or classwork

✕ Vacations, planned or unplanned

✕ Sports or extracurricular commitments

✕ "I didn't know it was due" -- check Blackboard and your syllabus

✕ Personal relationship priorities

✕ Your birthday

✕ "I thought I pressed submit" -- always verify your confirmation

✕ A cold, flu, or allergies (barring extreme documented circumstances)

✕ Transportation issues

✕ Not having your textbook -- get it before the semester starts

✕ "I didn't understand it" -- go to office hours or email your professor first

✕ Someone else had your device -- your coursework is your responsibility

✕ Unable to download a required testing extension -- handle this the first week of class

After the deadline

"Can I still turn it in?"

Usually no. Asking after the deadline has already passed puts you in a difficult position and signals to your professor that you did not plan ahead.

Before the deadline

"I have a situation -- can we talk?"

This is the right move. Reaching out early, with a clear explanation and a plan, shows maturity and responsibility. Professors respond much better to proactive students. Never wait until after the due date to ask.

Email Etiquette

You are a college student now, and how you communicate matters. Every email you send to a professor or our office reflects on you as a student.

Do not do this

✕ Email from your personal or high school account

✕ Send a message with no subject line

✕ Write in texting style or use slang

✕ Expect an immediate reply -- professors may take 24-48 hours

Always do this

✓ Use your GPTC student email

✓ Include a clear, specific subject line

✓ Address your professor respectfully (e.g., "Dear Professor Smith")

✓ Plan ahead so you are not emailing at the last minute

🎥 Watch: Email Etiquette

Watch this short video for a walkthrough of what a professional student email looks like -- and what to avoid.

Having trouble viewing? Watch directly on Canva

Category 3

Know Your Resources

Knowing who to contact -- and when -- is one of the most important skills you can develop as a dual enrollment student. Going to the wrong person wastes time and can delay getting your issue resolved. Use this section as your guide.

Who Do You Call?

Every question has a right answer. Use this routing guide to find it quickly.

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GPTC IT Help Desk

Contact for

› Cannot log in to GPTC email or MyGPTC portal

› General technical issues with GPTC student systems

› Help installing required testing extensions

How to reach them

✉ studentsupport@gptc.edu

📞 404.297.9522 ext. 5399

⚠ Not available after 5pm or on weekends

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GPTC Blackboard Support

Contact for

› Cannot log in to or access Blackboard

› Blackboard technical errors or missing course access

› Submission or assignment display issues in Blackboard

How to reach them

✉ gptconline@gptc.edu

📞 404.297.9522 ext. 5499

📋 Submit a Blackboard Help Form

⚠ Not available after 5pm or on weekends

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Your Course Instructor

Contact for

› Questions about course content, assignments, or exams

› Questions about your grade

› Attendance concerns or requests for extensions

How to reach them

✉ Find your instructor's email in your syllabus or Blackboard

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High School Initiatives Office

Contact for

› Enrollment, registration, and scheduling questions

› Withdrawal requests (after counselor approval)

› General DE program questions

› AP score submissions and program change requests

How to reach us

✉ dualenrollment@gptc.edu

📞 404.297.9522 ext. 1313

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GPTC Financial Aid

Contact for

› Questions about your GAFutures funding status

› SSN mismatch issues between GPTC and GAFutures

› SAP standing and financial aid eligibility questions

How to reach them

✉ financialaid@gptc.edu

📞 (404) 297-9522 ext. 1360

📋 Submit a Financial Aid Form

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GPTC Student Accessibility Services

Contact for

› Registering for accommodations at GPTC

› Questions about disability documentation

› Understanding what accommodations GPTC can provide

How to reach them

✉ accessibility@gptc.edu

📞 (404) 297-9522 ext. 1385

📋 Submit an Accessibility Request Form

High School Initiatives Office -- Save This

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dualenrollment@gptc.edu

Best for non-urgent questions and document submissions

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404-297-9522 x1313

Best for time-sensitive questions

Accommodations at GPTC

If you have an IEP or 504 plan at your high school, there is something critically important you need to know.

Your High School

IEP or 504 plan

Stays at your high school. Governed by your high school's process. Does not follow you to GPTC automatically.

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GPTC

Must register separately

You must register with GPTC Student Accessibility Services to receive accommodations in your dual enrollment course. This is a completely separate process from your high school.

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Register before the semester begins. Do not wait until you are already struggling in a course. Early registration means your accommodations are in place on day one. If you are not sure how to start the process, reach out to your DE coordinator and we will point you in the right direction.

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Courses taught by high school instructors on high school campuses: If your dual enrollment course is taught at your high school by a high school-employed instructor, contact your DE coordinator to discuss which accommodation framework applies. The answer may depend on your specific course and instructional setting.

FERPA -- Your Privacy Rights as a College Student

The moment you enrolled at GPTC, your education records became protected under a federal law called FERPA -- the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This is an important change from high school, and it affects how we can communicate with your parents or guardians.

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What FERPA means for you

› Your grades, enrollment status, and academic records are confidential -- even from your parents

› GPTC staff cannot discuss your academic information with a parent or guardian without your written permission

› This applies even if your parent is paying for things or is very involved in your education

› You have the right to view and request corrections to your own education records

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Want your parents to be informed?

› You can sign a FERPA waiver to give GPTC permission to share your records with a specific person

› You choose exactly who can access your information and what they can see

› You can revoke the waiver at any time

📋 Submit a FERPA Waiver Form

📋 Learn more about FERPA at GPTC

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Heads up for students and parents: If a parent calls the HSI office to ask about a student's grades, enrollment, or academic standing, we are legally required to direct them to the student. This is not us being unhelpful -- it is federal law. If you want us to be able to speak freely with a parent or guardian, complete the FERPA waiver linked above.

Student Success Center -- Free Support for Every Student

The GPTC Student Success Center exists to help you succeed -- and every service is completely free. If you are struggling in a course, do not wait until you are failing. Reach out early.

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Free Tutoring

› Math, reading, English, writing, humanities, physics, and more

› One-on-one and small group support available

› 100% free for all enrolled GPTC students

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Technology Support

› Computer and internet access on campus

› Help with basic computer skills

› Workshops on a variety of academic and professional topics

🎓 Learn More About the Student Success Center

Account Security

Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Before you can access your GPTC student account, you need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication. This is a one-time setup that protects your account and is required for all GPTC students.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

MFA adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring two or more verification steps to log in. At GPTC, we use MFA to protect sensitive information and safeguard against unauthorized access. By combining something you know (your password) with something you have (your phone or authentication app), MFA significantly reduces the risk of your account being compromised.

Choose the app that works best for your device. Both options work with your GPTC account -- GPTC recommends Okta Verify for the easiest setup.

 Download for iPhone (App Store) ▶ Download for Android (Google Play)

Download Okta Verify from the App Store or Google Play using the buttons above, then open the app on your mobile device.

Tap "Get Started"

Tap "Next" on the How it works screen

Tap "Add Account"

Choose "Organization: work, school, company"

Choose "Skip" on the Add Account from Another Device screen -- you are setting up a new device

Choose "No, Sign In Instead"

Enter login.gptc.edu as the Organization's Sign-In URL and tap Next. iPhone users: if you receive a "403 App Error," see the troubleshooting tips below before continuing.

Tap "Allow" to accept push notifications

Face ID or Passcode confirmation is optional -- your choice

You're all set! Your GPTC account is now connected to Okta Verify. From now on, when you log in at login.gptc.edu, you will receive a push notification on your phone -- just tap Approve to access your account.

Getting a 403 App Error on iPhone? iCloud Private Relay may be interfering. Go to Settings → Tap your name → iCloud → Private Relay → Turn off Private Relay, then retry the Okta Verify steps.
Getting a 403 App Error with a VPN? Turn off your VPN on your phone and try the setup steps again.
Okta Verify not supported on your device? If your phone's software version is not compatible with Okta Verify, use Google Authenticator instead -- tap the Google Authenticator tab above for setup instructions.
Still stuck? Contact Student Support: studentsupport@gptc.edu or (404) 297-9522 x5399

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You will need access to both your phone and a computer for this setup. The QR code that links your account appears on your computer screen -- your phone camera scans it.

 Download for iPhone (App Store) ▶ Download for Android (Google Play)

Download Google Authenticator from the App Store or Google Play using the buttons above, then open the app on your mobile device.

On your computer, go to login.gptc.edu and log in with your GPTC username and password.

You will be prompted to set up MFA. Click "Set up" next to Google Authenticator (or Authenticator App).

A QR code will appear on your computer screen. Keep this screen open -- you will scan it in the next step.

Open Google Authenticator on your phone. Tap the + button (bottom right), then tap "Scan a QR code."

Point your phone camera at the QR code on your computer screen. The app will automatically detect and add your GPTC account.

Google Authenticator will now show a 6-digit code for your GPTC account. Enter this code on your computer where prompted, then click "Verify." Note: the code refreshes every 30 seconds -- enter it quickly.

Click "Finish" to complete the setup. Your GPTC account is now linked to Google Authenticator.

You're all set! From now on, when you log in at login.gptc.edu, open Google Authenticator on your phone, find your GPTC account, and enter the 6-digit code shown. The code changes every 30 seconds, so enter it promptly.

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Important: If you get a new phone or delete the app, you will need to repeat this setup process. Do not delete Google Authenticator without setting up MFA on your new device first -- contact Student Support if you get locked out.

Code not working? Make sure your phone's date and time are set to automatic. Google Authenticator uses your phone's clock -- if it is off, the codes will not match. Go to Settings → General → Date & Time → Set Automatically.
Camera not scanning the QR code? Make sure you have granted the Authenticator app permission to use your camera. Alternatively, tap "Enter a setup key" in the app and use the manual code shown on your computer screen instead.
Code expired before you could enter it? Wait for the next code to appear (each code lasts 30 seconds) and enter the fresh one immediately.
Got a new phone or deleted the app? Contact Student Support to reset your MFA before trying to log in: studentsupport@gptc.edu or (404) 297-9522 x5399
Still stuck? Try switching to Okta Verify -- tap the Okta Verify tab above for setup instructions.

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Need help? Contact Student Support.

studentsupport@gptc.edu | (404) 297-9522 x5399 | Available Monday through Friday before 5pm

Required -- Do Not Skip This Step

You have read the orientation.
Now prove it.

Every dual enrollment student must complete the orientation quiz and score 100% to officially complete this orientation. Reading this page is not enough -- your completion is not recorded until you take the quiz and submit the confirmation form at the end. This is mandatory.

Take the quizAnswer all 25 questions. You must score 100% -- retake it as many times as you need.

Score 100%If you miss any questions, review the relevant section on this page and try again.

Submit the confirmation formThe form appears after you score 100%. Your completion is not recorded until this is done.

Take the Orientation Quiz →

Having trouble? Contact us at dualenrollment@gptc.edu
or 404-297-9522 x1313