NEXT STEPS FOR ACCEPTED STUDENTS
AUGUST 8
IBMS New Student Orientation
AUGUST 22
First Day of Fall Classes
The next steps for accepted international students differ from those listed here.
Complete the Intent to Enroll form so we know you are coming! No payment is necessary to complete the form.
Return to the Status page in your graduate application to accept the offer of admission or to defer your admission to another term.
Your Campus ID is your passport to access online services at Georgia State.
It will take about 48-72 hours before you can use your new CampusID to access the student systems.
All official communication from the university is sent to your Georgia State student email address (@student.gsu.edu).
PAWS is the online system you will use to register for classes, view academic records, update personal information, view financial aid and pay tuition and fees and much more!
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires that any student applying to Georgia State University will be required to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States or opt out of the verification process before admission to the university can be finalized. Additional information on how to complete this process can be found on the Status page of the application portal.
Georgia State University admits all academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of immigration status.
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires all students applying to Georgia State University to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
This requirement is detailed in the following Board of Regents policies:
Students may be verified through one of the following options below:
1. Verification through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
If you are either a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident or eligible non-citizen (does not apply to international students on a visa) who has completed and submitted a FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will verify your lawful presence. If you are not able to be confirmed as lawfully present, the Office of Financial Aid will follow-up with you for additional documentation.
2. Submission of one of the following documents:
- Current Georgia Driver’s License issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008*
- Current Georgia ID Card issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008*
- Current U.S. Passport *
- Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (must be submitted in person)
- Permanent Resident Card (front and back copy)*
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization *
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship *
- U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad* Military ID (must be verified in person)
*Copies of these documents are acceptable.
3. Verification through SEVIS (Student and Exchange Information System)
If you have or are applying for an F or J, visa we will verify your lawful presence through SEVIS. As this is already part of the immigration process, there are no additional steps required to have your Citizenship Verification Hold removed. Simply comply with the requirements outlined by our Office of International Student and Scholar Services as you prepare to arrive at Georgia State University.
4. Verification through SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements)
All nonresident alien students on some sort of visa will need to submit immigration documents verifying their lawful status to the office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS). Such documents may include an I-94 card, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) approval notice or receipt notice, or other documentation that the student is in lawful visa status.
This includes students who have been previously enrolled at Georgia State but are either returning (re-entry) to a degree program or applying for a new degree program.
Be sure to submit your immunization records by the first day of classes. If you can't secure immunization records, you can receive the needed vaccines from your local health department, private physician or Georgia State University Health Services. There is a fee at all locations for vaccines. For more information on Georgia State's services and required immunizations, visit the University Health Services web page.
If you have not already done so, you are required to turn in the final transcript showing proof of earned degree from your graduating institution (unless Georgia State University) before the first day of classes.
Mailing Address (U.S. Postal Service)
Graduate Admissions, The Graduate School
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4018
Atlanta, GA 30302
Delivery Address (FedEx, DHL or UPS)
Graduate Admissions, The Graduate School
Georgia State University
55 Park Place NE, Suite 308
Atlanta, GA 30303
You may also submit your official transcripts electronically. Electronic transcripts must be submitted directly from the institution by email or through the use of a transcript ordering site:
Email: gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu
Order Site Institution Name: Georgia State University - Graduate Programs
Filling out your FAFSA application is important if you are looking for any type of federal financial aid (loans, grants etc.). If you have not already filled out the form, take a few minutes to do so on the Federal Student Aid webpage. Georgia State’s Code is 001574. You will be able to review your award status online through your PAWS account once it is processed and sent to Georgia State. For questions about federal financial aid, you may contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Review your financial aid package in PAWS in the Financial Aid tab. You must accept/deny aid as needed. Check remaining balance due and pay your bill by the deadline.
Financial Aid Office
Phone: 404-413-2600
TTY: 404-413-2281 (Hearing Impaired Students Only) In Person: 227/228 Sparks Hall 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Monday - Friday
Familiarize yourself with the program requirements outlined in the graduate course catalog and the IBMS graduate student handbook.
International students should also review the International Student Handbook.
The Office of the Registrar provides a registration demo video, which is a step-by-step video tutorial on how to complete basic registration related tasks in PAWS.
Topics include how to:
- View the schedule of courses
- Remove registration holds
- Add and drop courses
- Troubleshoot registration errors
- Adjust variable credit hour courses (e.g. BMSC 6900, 8800, 8810)
- Print your finalized schedule
You cannot register for courses until you remove all registration holds applied to your account. Holds will be posted on the Enrollment tab in PAWS.
To learn more about the holds that prevent registration and how to remove, visit the Office of the Registrar website.
Please review the course outline of your program, which is available in the Graduate Student Handbook, for a list of the courses that you will need to register for during your first semester.
Once registered you should check your tuition and fees through PAWS. You may review student tuition and fees on the student accounts webpage. Please note that tuition and fees are due on the last day of regular registration before classes begin. You should check the academic calendar and make note of the due date.
If you are expecting a tuition waiver, waivers are applied every Monday until the registration deadline. Your registration must be finalized before a waiver can be placed.
The PantherCard is the official Georgia State University identification card. It is used for library privileges, after-hours access and can also be used as a debit card for PantherCash. PantherCards are available online at the PantherCard Office.
Students have multiple transportation options including: discounted monthly MARTA cards, shuttle service and on-campus parking. All parking requires that a vehicle be pre-registered and display a valid parking permit. Vehicle registration can only be done online through PAWS/GoSOLAR. Complete and current information can be found on the Parking webpage or by calling the Auxiliary Services Office at (404) 413-9500.
Students receiving a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) and International Students are required to carry health insurance. For more information on this requirement, please review the mandatory health insurance plan information provided by the University System of Georgia.
IBMS New Student Orientation
IBMS Graduate Student Orientation introduces you to the institute and your colleagues and provides you with a comprehensive overview of your program requirements. Attendance is mandatory for all incoming students.
Agenda includes:
- Cohort introductions
- Overview of GRA benefits and requirements
- Overview of program expectations and responsibilities
- Q&A with IBMS human resources
Graduate School New Student Orientation
The Graduate School hosts new graduate student orientation, which introduces you to The State Way and provides you with a comprehensive overview of the services and resources that Georgia State offers to its graduate community. New graduate student orientation is optional, but attendance is suggested for students new to Georgia State and Atlanta.
At new graduate student orientation, you will:
- Get your Panther ID card
- Manage parking
- Network with fellow Graduate students
- Explore campus
For more information, visit The Graduate School website. Your official invitation to this event will come by email.
Contact Us
The institute coordinates graduate and undergraduate admissions. Students seeking an undergraduate degree will apply through university admissions and receive additional support from the central office.
Please allow one to three business days for a response to your inquiry.