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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 →
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.
How Registration Works
Registration is a three-step process. All three steps must happen in order -- skipping one can put your funding at risk.
Step 1
Your counselor approves your course in GAFutures
Your high school counselor reviews and approves your selected course directly in the GAFutures system.
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Step 2
You complete the Course Registration Request Form
Submit the Dual Enrollment Course Registration Request Form to our office so we know which course you want to take.
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Step 3
The DE office confirms funding and registers you
We verify your eligibility, approve your funding, complete your registration, and you are officially enrolled.
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Self-registration warning: If you register for a course on your own without going through the DE office, your funding may not be applied. You could be responsible for the full cost of the course out of pocket. Always go through us.
Know Your Course Before You Commit
Before you give us a CRN to register you, take time to verify the details. Once you are registered, you are responsible for that course.
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Location: Where does this course meet? Is it at your high school, a GPTC campus, or a career academy?
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Meeting time: Does this class time work with your high school schedule?
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Format: Is this course in-person or online? Online courses require strong time management and self-discipline.
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Prerequisites: Do you meet all prerequisites for this course? Check the GPTC course catalog if you are unsure.
🎥 Watch: How to Search for a Course
This short video walks you through finding the GPTC course schedule, filtering by term and subject, and locating your Course Reference Number (CRN) -- the number you will submit on your registration form.
Having trouble viewing? Watch directly on Canva
AP Scores Are Not Automatic
If you want to use an AP exam to satisfy a course prerequisite, your scores are not automatically in our system. You must take both of these steps:
3226
GPTC school code for College Board. Send your official AP scores directly from College Board using this code, then notify the DE office that you have done so. We cannot look up your scores on your behalf.
What Your GAFutures Funding Covers
Your state funding -- sometimes called GAFutures funding -- covers your tuition when you are eligible. However, it is not guaranteed forever. Several things can put it at risk:
Risk 1
SSN Mismatch
Your Social Security Number must match exactly between your GPTC account and your GAFutures account. A mismatch is more common than you might think, and it will hold up your funding until it is corrected. Double-check both accounts.
Risk 2
Selective Service Registration
If you are male and are 18 or will turn 18, federal law requires you to register with the Selective Service at sss.gov. It is free and takes about two minutes. Failure to register can affect your eligibility for federal financial aid.
Risk 3
SAP Failure
Failing to meet GPTC's Satisfactory Academic Progress standards can result in loss of funding eligibility. See the SAP section below for the full breakdown.
Risk 4
Self-Registration
Registering for a course without going through the DE office means your funding may not be applied. Always confirm your registration was processed through our office before the semester begins.
Withdrawals: W, WF, and F
If you ever need to leave a course, the timing of when you withdraw matters enormously. Each outcome has different consequences.
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You cannot withdraw from a course on your own. A withdrawal requires two things: your high school counselor must approve it in GAFutures, and once we receive that approval, we will send you a withdrawal form that you must complete and return. Without both steps, you cannot be withdrawn -- and you remain enrolled and responsible for the course.
W
Withdrawal
Dropped before the official withdrawal deadline. No letter grade is assigned, but the course counts as hours attempted -- which affects your completion rate.
Act early to avoid worse outcomes
WF
Withdrawal Failing
Withdrew after the deadline while failing the course. Counts as an F on your permanent college transcript. This is avoidable -- but only if you act before the deadline.
Counts as F on transcript
F
Failing
Remained enrolled and did not pass the course. Recorded permanently on your GPTC college transcript and affects your GPA and SAP standing.
Affects GPA and SAP
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Withdrawal deadlines are not flexible. If you are struggling in a course, reach out to your instructor or DE coordinator before the deadline -- not after. Early communication is always the right move.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SAP is the standard GPTC uses to determine whether you remain eligible for financial aid and your state funding. It is evaluated at the end of every semester. You must meet all three standards.
2.0
GPA Standard
Minimum cumulative GPA required. Grades of D, F, WP, and WF all count toward this calculation.
66.66%
Completion Rate
You must pass this share of all credit hours you attempt. W, WF, F, I, WP, and IP all count as attempted but not completed.
150%
Max Timeframe
You may not attempt more than 150% of the credit hours required for your program of study. This limit is smaller than most students expect.
Your cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or higher. This includes grades of A, B, C, D, F, WP, and WF. A single failing semester can pull your cumulative GPA below this threshold if you have not built up enough passing grades. Monitor your GPA regularly through your MyGPTC student portal.
Divide the total credit hours you have completed by the total credit hours you have attempted. You must reach 66.66% or higher. Courses with grades of W, WF, F, I, WP, or IP count as attempted but not completed, dragging your rate down without giving you credit hours in return.
Example: If you have attempted 12 hours and completed 8, your rate is 66.66% -- right at the minimum. A single withdrawal with no completed hours to offset it can push you below the threshold.
You may not attempt more than 150% of the credit hours required for the program of study you applied under. This cap is based on your declared program -- not a general college-wide limit -- and it is much smaller than most students expect.
Example: If you applied to GPTC under the Nurse Aide TCC, that program only requires 9 credit hours. At 150%, your maximum timeframe is just 13.5 hours attempted. If you take even two additional core course classes beyond that program, you can push yourself over the cap and into a SAP violation.
The easy fix: request a program change. If your program has a very low credit hour requirement, you can request to change your program of study to one that better reflects the courses you are taking. For example, switching from Nurse Aide TCC to the Healthcare Professional TTC, which houses close to 30 credit hours, gives you a much more realistic timeframe to work within. Contact the DE office to discuss a program change before you hit the cap.
SAP is evaluated at the end of every semester. If you fall below any of the three standards, you may be placed on financial aid warning or suspension, which can result in the loss of your GAFutures funding eligibility.
It is your responsibility to monitor your own SAP standing. If you are concerned, contact the GPTC Financial Aid office directly -- do not wait until the end of the semester to find out where you stand.
Getting Your Textbook
How you get your textbook depends on where you take your course. Read carefully -- purchasing from the wrong place means we cannot reimburse you.
Career Academy, Newton Cohort, or DHSTS
Your coordinator brings it to you
If you are a student at a career academy, in a Newton County cohort program, or at DeKalb High School of Technology South, your DE coordinator will have your required textbook available at your school. You do not need to visit the bookstore.
Online or On-Campus Students
Visit the GPTC campus bookstore
Bring your student ID and let the bookstore staff know you are a dual enrollment student and which course you are enrolled in. Your required textbook will be provided. Do not purchase from Amazon, Chegg, or anywhere else -- we cannot reimburse outside purchases.
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No reimbursements for outside purchases. Once you have purchased a textbook from a source other than the GPTC bookstore, we cannot refund or reimburse that cost. Always check with your coordinator or the bookstore first.
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.
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.
Log in before Day 1
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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
1
Log in to Blackboard on your first day of class
2
Open your course and find the no-show assignment
3
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:
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Office hours: When and how to reach your professor directly.
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Grading policy: Exactly how your final grade is calculated.
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Late work policy: What happens if you miss a deadline -- every professor handles this differently.
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Full course schedule: Every assignment, exam, and due date for the semester.
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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.
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.
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Technology issues you waited until the last minute to deal with
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Other homework or classwork
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Vacations, planned or unplanned
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Sports or extracurricular commitments
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"I didn't know it was due" -- check Blackboard and your syllabus
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Personal relationship priorities
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Your birthday
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"I thought I pressed submit" -- always verify your confirmation
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A cold, flu, or allergies (barring extreme documented circumstances)
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Transportation issues
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Not having your textbook -- get it before the semester starts
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"I didn't understand it" -- go to office hours or email your professor first
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Someone else had your device -- your coursework is your responsibility
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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
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Email from your personal or high school account
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Send a message with no subject line
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Write in texting style or use slang
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Expect an immediate reply -- professors may take 24-48 hours
Always do this
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Use your GPTC student email
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Include a clear, specific subject line
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Address your professor respectfully (e.g., "Dear Professor Smith")
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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
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Cannot log in to GPTC email or MyGPTC portal
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General technical issues with GPTC student systems
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Help installing required testing extensions
How to reach them
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studentsupport@gptc.edu
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404.297.9522 ext. 5399
⚠ Not available after 5pm or on weekends
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GPTC Blackboard Support
Contact for
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Cannot log in to or access Blackboard
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Blackboard technical errors or missing course access
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Submission or assignment display issues in Blackboard
How to reach them
⚠ Not available after 5pm or on weekends
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Your Course Instructor
Contact for
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Questions about course content, assignments, or exams
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Questions about your grade
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Attendance concerns or requests for extensions
How to reach them
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Find your instructor's email in your syllabus or Blackboard
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High School Initiatives Office
Contact for
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Enrollment, registration, and scheduling questions
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Withdrawal requests (after counselor approval)
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General DE program questions
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AP score submissions and program change requests
How to reach us
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dualenrollment@gptc.edu
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404.297.9522 ext. 1313
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GPTC Financial Aid
Contact for
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Questions about your GAFutures funding status
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SSN mismatch issues between GPTC and GAFutures
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SAP standing and financial aid eligibility questions
How to reach them
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GPTC Student Accessibility Services
Contact for
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Registering for accommodations at GPTC
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Questions about disability documentation
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Understanding what accommodations GPTC can provide
How to reach them
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.
Required -- Do Not Skip This Step
You have read the orientation.
Now prove it.
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.
1
Take the quizAnswer all 27 questions. You must score 100% -- retake it as many times as you need.
2
Score 100%If you miss any questions, review the relevant section on this page and try again.
3
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
or 404-297-9522 x1313