> After you are satisfied that ALL information in your application is correct, you may SUBMIT your application. You will be asked to provide accurate credit card information in order to pay your application fee of $50. This application fee must be paid online and is non-refundable. Georgia Tech will not receive your application until the fee is paid online.

http://www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu/apply/index.php

Generally in the US the application fee isn't refundable. I've always understood it as a way for schools to offset the cost of processing applications and prevent folks from applying to every college under the premise of "Maybe I'll get lucky and be accepted into MIT"

In this case, I get the feeling they might make as much money from application fees as they might make from the actual program, There are lots of people who will can't make it to the US due to visa who will love a degree from a US university. Online or not.

My credentials aren't that great, so I'll just wait and apply next term to increase my chances of getting accepted.

From the FAQ: . Students who qualify but are not offered admission during Spring 2014 will be offered deferred admission in subsequent terms.

Sometimes if you call them and explain why you can't pay schools can waive the fee. Especially if you are a strong candidate. Like another poster said, this is mostly to keep the school from being flooded with a million applications and not having the staff (money) to go through them all.