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Traditional Freshman

Traditional Freshmen are applicants who have been out of high school less than five years from an accredited or approved high school.

As a new Freshman applicant you must submit the following:

  1. Apply for Free
  2. Have your guidance counselor send us your official high school transcript.
    Savannah State University accepts mailed, faxed, emailed, or e-transcripts that come directly from the high school. To process transcripts, we will recalculate your GPA based on the Required High School Curriculum, so it may appear lower than you originally anticipated GPA.
  3. Send us official copies of your SAT/ACT scores from the testing agency (SAT Code: 5609 / ACT code: 0858).
    If you submit scores and then take the test again, you may submit the new scores for us to review. We will reassess your file and make a new decision based on the updated scores. Writing scores are not required for the ACT or SAT. We “super-score” ACT or SAT exams; we consider the highest score from a single test.
  4. If you have completed Dual Enrollment coursework at another institution, you are required to send your official college transcript from any institution you attend. It is highly recommended that transcripts be electronically sent to the Registrar's office. However, your transcripts can be mailed to:

    Savannah State University
    Office of the Registrar
    Colston Administration Building
    Box 20479
    Savannah, GA 31404
  5. Check your status online.
    This status will reflect your admission record at the current moment of review. You will be able to see if your record is missing any documents needed for an admissions decisions. You will be aware of our admissions decision as soon as it is made without having to wait for an admissions letter.
    All application materials should be mailed to:

    Office of Admissions and Recruitment
    Savannah State University
    3219 College Street
    P.O. Box 20209
    Savannah, GA 31404
  6. Verification of Lawful Presence
    In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4, all applicants who are accepted for admission or readmission to Savannah State University and who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, will be required to provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the State of Georgia and the United States. The U.S. Department of Education will automatically validate the lawful presence of any student who completes a FAFSA application; therefore, if you are applying for financial aid it will not be necessary for Savannah State University to perform additional verification of your residency status. Otherwise, you will be required to submit one of the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
    • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (no photocopies)
    • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
    • Current U.S. Passport
    • GA Driver's License (issued after 1/1/2008) Optional: Take a snapshot of your GA Driver’s License using cellular phone, email to Admissions@savannahstate.edu.
    • GA ID Card (issued after 1/1/2008)
    • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issue by Dept. of State (DS-1350)
    • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561)
    • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570)
  7. Submit a Certificate of Immunization to

    Harris-McDew Student Health Center
    3219 College Street, Box 20448
    Savannah, Georgia 31404
    Phone: 912-358-4122
    Fax: 912-358-3667

The Office of Admissions considers the following when evaluating students for admission to Savannah State University.

High School GPA & Required High School Curriculum

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SSU accepts both the SAT (Redesigned and old) and ACT.
SAT & ACT Test Scores
OLD SAT
(Administered prior to March 2016) 		SAT
(Redesigned Exam) March 7, 2016 		ACT

Critical Reading: 430
Math: 400

Evidence-based reading and writing score: 480+
Math test score: 440+

Note: We will "super-score" your highest test scores.

English or reading: 17+
Math: 17+
Composite: 17+

Note: We will "super-score" your highest test scores.

In addition to completing the above RHSC requirements an applicant must meet the following requirements, for full admissions (regular); satisfy the minimum test requirements of a 430 SAT I verbal score (ACT 17) and a 400 SAT I math score (ACT 17) and earn a Freshmen Index (FI) of at least 1940. The FI is calculated by multiplying the academic grade point average (college prep courses only) by 500 and adding the combined SAT I math and verbal scores. For ACT, the FI is calculated by multiplying the college prep courses grade point average by 500, and adding the ACT scores which includes the verbal, math, and composite +88.

Test Optional Policy

Why is Savannah State University implementing a “Test Optional” policy?

Effective immediately, the University System of Georgia (USG) approved the temporary adjustment of admission requirements for SSU due to uncertainty about the availability of SAT/ACT testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. USG made the decision after monitoring testing availability during the spring and summer 2020, when multiple test date cancellations have prevented thousands of students from having access to a testing opportunity.

This temporary adjustment will allow students to apply for admission without submitting ACT or SAT scores at state colleges, state universities, comprehensive universities and research universities in the USG for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2021 semesters. Students who have SAT/ACT scores may still submit them.

What does “Test Optional” mean?

Savannah State will evaluate your application for admission without regard to either SAT or ACT scores for admission. However, you do have the option to submit test scores if available.

Students that do not submit test scores must meet minimal GPA requirements, no exceptions.

GPA: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Required High School Course Requirements: 4 units of English, 4 units of Mathematics, 4 units of Science, 3 units of Social Sciences and 2 units of same Foreign Language.

Home Schools

Savannah State University will consider applications from students who are educated through a home schooled program who meet the requirements for admission with a diploma from a regionally accredited home study program will be given the same consideration for admission as students with a diploma from a public school. The prospective student should submit a home schooled transcript that includes a list of all coursework (both completed and in progress), showing final grades and units earned for each course completed. A brief description of each course the student has taken or is planning to take (with information regarding the teaching materials including the title and author of all textbooks, DVD's, and other teaching materials utilized) and the methods used for evaluation should accompany the home schooled transcript

Home study programs accredited or approved by the following are acceptable:
The following items are required of all Home School applicants: In addition to the above items, home schooled applicants who have graduated from an accredited high school program are asked to submit an official high school transcript and diploma. Home schooled applicants who have not graduated from an accredited high school program are asked to submit a portfolio that includes:
Application Deadlines
Semester Date
Fall Semester June 30
Spring Semester November 15
Summer Semester May 1