Lanier Technical College

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Associate's — Public Rural-serving Medium

General Characteristics

Highest offering	At least 2, but less than 4 academic yrs
Calendar System	Quarter
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Lanier Technical College Introduction

Lanier Technical College, located in Oakwood, Georgia, came about under the Georgia State Department of Education’s planned construction of technical schools in the late 1950s. As industrial jobs became more and more important, and the traditionally agriculture-based infrastructure began to diminish, Georgia had to address the new need for skilled and semiskilled workers, technicians, and craftsmen.

The Gainesville-Hall County Area Vocational Trade School opened in 1966, and was soon renamed the Lanier Area Vocational-Technical School. The school continued to grow in size and reputation throughout the 1970s, and expanded to include some present-day facilities like 20,000 feet of shop, classroom, and administrative space, as well as an industrial training facility. The main campus in Oakwood welcomed the Governor’s Center for Innovation in Manufacturing Excellence, a center dedicated to training, research, and support in advanced manufacturing techniques, in 2006.

Students at Lanier are awarded an associate of applied science degree, technical certificate of credit, or diploma upon the successful completion of their course of study. Many students come to Lanier for a two-year education which is then transferrable to another 4-year school, while other come for continuing training in their field of work, and still others pursue college-level classes while still in high school. Basic adult education services, like literacy and GED services are available to help students prepare for rewarding careers in the workforce.

Lanier Technical College Academics

Lanier Tech provides high quality education in many technical and industrial areas, including management, information systems, business, accounting, banking and finance, information systems, and supervisory development. Public service-oriented training is available in areas including early childhood care and education, cosmetology, criminal justice technology, personal/public service studies, and construction and maintenance. Health programs include healthcare management, dental hygiene, paramedic technology, practical nursing, and surgical technology.

Lanier Technical College Admissions

The admissions process for Lanier Technical College is generally similar for all applicants, except those applying to the programs of Motorsports Vehicle Technology, Radiologic Technology, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, Surgical Technology, and Practical Nursing. These students will need to supply additional forms demonstrating the successful completion of prerequisite courses.

Lanier Tech does not discriminate in its admissions policy, and any qualified applicant has the opportunity to apply for enrollment. Students must furnish transcripts from all colleges previously attended, and high school or GED transcripts as necessary. They must also complete the Application for Admission, and supply proof of residency status for tuition purposes. Placement tests may also be required, depending on the chosen area of study.

Lanier Technical College Financial Aid

The following types of financial aid are available at Lanier tech: work-study, scholarships, grants, and loans.

Federal work-study programs employ financially-needy students on a selective basis in on- and off-campus positions to help defray the cost of attending school.

Scholarships do not need to be repaid, and are awarded on the basis of merit, academic performance, need, and/or community involvement. One scholarship available at Lanier is the Foundation Scholarship, which is funded through donations from civic, industrial, and business organizations, and individuals.

Grants do not need to be repaid, and are awarded on bases similar to those of scholarships. The following are examples of some of the grants which are available at Lanier Tech: The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students demonstrating financial need and who have not received a Bachelor’s degree yet.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant, awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence in a secondary school program, receive a Federal Pell Grant, and are enrolled full time in a degree program.

The Georgia LEAP Grant Program provides aid to students demonstrating exceptional financial need who are enrolled half-time as undergraduate students.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is available to financially-needy students, with priority given to those receiving Federal Pell Grants.

Lanier Technical College Local Community

The local community of Oakwood, Georgia, home to the original Lanier Technical College branch, is a city which was founded back in 1896. This small town was home to approximately 2,500 residents at the time of the 2000 census poll, and is also the home of the Gainesville State College campus as well. The town was originally a major producer of lumber, and the Southern Railway passed through Oakwood to load up on wood for their engines on the way from Atlanta to Gainesville. Industrial manufacturing has only continued to grow in recent years, with many of the town’s workers employed by industry plants and corporate manufacturing branches.