ACCEL and Dual Enrollment programs allow students in Georgia public schools to take courses at the local technical college and receive credit at both the high school and at the technical college. The Joint Enrollment program allows students to take courses at the technical college for technical college credit only. Youth Apprenticeship allows students to work as an apprentice in an area related to their career goals. A student must be classified as a junior or senior or be at least 16 years of age in order to participate in the ACCEL, Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrolment, or Youth Apprenticeship programs. These programs were designed for high school students to take advanced courses in the postsecondary institutions and hence get a “head start” on higher education.

The following information is valid only for the ACCEL, Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment, and Youth Apprenticeship programs at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC). Eligibility requirements, tuition information, and course information may vary from other institutions of higher education.

The student must be a high school student in good academic standing and must have completed the majority of state-mandated academic curriculum for graduation requirements. This is due to the relatively small number of academic courses which the student must take at OTC that meet the state’s requirements for graduation (see the section on Available Courses).

ACCEL Students
Eligible ACCEL students may receive the HOPE grant or HOPE Scholarship. Prior to enrollment, ACCEL students need to complete the HOPE application. Georgia’s HOPE Grant will pay tuition, student fees (excluding lab and technology fees), and a quarterly book voucher. Book vouchers are in the amounts of $50 or $100 depending on the number of credit hours taken in a given quarter. The students will pay the difference if book costs exceed the HOPE book voucher for the quarter.

Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment students should complete an application for the HOPE Grant. Georgia’s HOPE Grant will pay tuition, student fees (excluding lab fees), techology fee of $35, and a quarterly book voucher. Book vouchers are in the amounts of $50 or $100 depending on the number of credit hours taken in a given quarter. The students will pay the difference if book costs exceed the HOPE book voucher for the quarter.

Youth Apprenticeship
The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a school-and work-based learning program serving high school juniors and seniors who have made early career decisions. The program is designed to give students a jump-start on careers by placing them in a paid apprenticeship in related career areas. Okefenokee Technical College offers programs that can provide skills training to Youth Apprenticeship students.

The goal of Youth Apprenticeship is to meet the career preparation needs of students while developing a skilled workforce for this area. For more information about the Youth Apprenticeship Program, see your local high school vocational supervisor or counselor, or contact the RESA Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator at 912-285-6151.

Admission Procedures for ACCEL, Dual Enrollment, or Joint Enrollment
High school students must follow the proper admission requirements when applying for ACCEL, Dual Enrollment, or Joint Enrollment at OTC. The steps include:

1. Students must have appropriate ASSET, COMPASS, SAT, or CPE scores before they will be allowed to participate in ACCEL, Dual Enrollment, or Joint Enrollment at OTC. The ASSET is given on each high school campus at least two times per academic year. If applicants have not taken the ASSET, they must be scheduled for a placement test as soon as possible. The COMPASS is administered at OTC during regularly scheduled days and times. This two-hour test covers basic reading comprehension, language skills, numeral skills, and elementary algebra.
2. Students and their parents/guardians must meet with their high school counselors to complete the “ACCEL/Dual/ Joint Enrollment Application” form. It should be submitted to the Tech Prep Coordinator at OTC.
3. Students must submit an “OTC Application for High School Students” form along with a $15 non-refundable application fee to the Admissions Office at OTC. This lime green form is available in the Guidance Office of area high schools and must be stamped with the school seal.
4. Students must submit a “Documentation of Articulated Credit” form listing Tech Prep classes taken in high school in which they scored 85 or above. This red, white, and blue form should be completed by the Guidance Office and signed by respective teachers.
5. "Documentation of Articulated Credit" form must be submitted to the Tech Prep Coordinator at OTC during advisement, along with the students’ most recent official high school transcript.

For more information, contact the Tech Prep Coordinator at (912) 284-2510.

Recognized Accreditation Agencies for High Schools

1. Regional Accreditation Agencies (SACS)
2. Georgia Accrediting Commission, INC. -- Public schools through 12th grade, private schools, and educational agencies for special populations.
3. Accrediting Commission for Independent Study(ACIS) – Primarily for home school programs
4. Georgia Private School Accreditation (GAPSAC) – Umbrella Association for Association of Christian Schools International, Seventh Day Adventist, International Christian Accrediting Association, Georgia Association of Christian Schools