GSW waives application fees during November for Apply to College Month

AMERICUS, Ga. (Nov. 2, 2026) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is making it easier and more affordable for prospective students to take the next step toward a college degree by waiving undergraduate application fees throughout November in recognition of Georgia's Apply to College Month. Students can apply online at no cost anytime during the month, eliminating an additional expense and making the college application process more accessible.

In addition to the application fee waiver, GSW continues to offer test-optional admission for students with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, allowing eligible applicants to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores.

“GSW has experienced record-breaking enrollment growth, and Apply to College Month is a great opportunity for future Hurricanes to discover why,” said Jonathan Scott, interim vice president of Enrollment Management and director of GSW's Office of Recruitment and Admissions. “Throughout November, students can apply for free, and all we need is their high school transcript to complete the application process and provide an admissions decision. We also offer an access program for students with GPAs below 3.0, so we encourage every interested student to apply and explore their opportunities at GSW.”

The fee waiver is part of the Georgia Student Finance Commission's (GSFC) Apply to College Initiative, which encourages Georgia high school seniors to pursue higher education by simplifying the college application process and removing financial barriers.

“At Georgia Southwestern, we believe a high-quality college education should be within reach for every student,” said GSW President Kerry Palmer, Ph.D. “By removing application fees and offering flexible admissions pathways, we're helping more students explore the opportunities available to them. Our commitment to academic excellence, affordability and student success makes GSW an exceptional place to pursue a college degree.”

GSW's commitment to quality and affordability continues to earn state and national recognition. In its 2027 rankings, Niche named GSW the No. 3 Best Value College in Georgia and ranked the University among the state's Top 10 Public Universities, Best College Dorms and Best Small Colleges. GSW also ranked No. 3 nationally for Best Colleges for Rural America by Washington Monthly and No. 49 among Top Public Schools in the South by U.S. News & World Report.

Prospective students can apply online at gsw.edu/apply, where the application fee waiver will be automatically applied to undergraduate applications submitted throughout November.

Students and families are also encouraged to experience GSW firsthand during Preview Day on Saturday, Nov. 14, or schedule an individual campus tour to explore academic programs, student life and campus facilities.

For more information about admissions requirements, scholarships, academic programs and campus visits, visit gsw.edu/admissions.