Understanding Gsu's International Student Status Requirements

If you are a student at Georgia State University (GSU) and you are wondering whether you are considered an international student, there are several criteria that define your student status. If you are in the US on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.), live outside the US and require an F-1 visa to study, are applying for permanent residency status, or have been educated outside the US, you are classified as an international student. Additionally, if you are a first-year student who attended high school outside the US or a transfer student who attended college/university outside the US, you will also be considered an international student. GSU offers scholarships and graduate assistantships to international students to help with their financial needs.

International students at GSU are required to provide proof of English-language proficiency

At Georgia State University (GSU), an international student is anyone who meets the following criteria:

• In the US on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.)
• Living outside the US and will require an F-1 visa to study in the US
• In the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received the Permanent Residency Card
• Have been educated outside the US
• SAT Reading (minimum score 480)
• ACT English (minimum score 17)
• TOEFL iBT (minimum score 69)
• IELTS Academic (minimum score 6)
• 4-Skills Michigan English Test
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)

Students who have attended schools using the UK Curriculum must submit their GCE/IGCSE results certificates for review. Students who are unable to provide proof of English-language proficiency may be eligible to take an intensive English course to improve their language skills before transitioning to their degree program.

It is important to note that international students at GSU are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, limited scholarship opportunities are available, such as the Campus Atlanta Scholarship, which offers a 100% out-of-state tuition waiver or a 50% out-of-state tuition waiver on a merit basis to qualified incoming international students.

GSU offers scholarships and graduate assistantships to international students

If you are a prospective or current student at Georgia State University (GSU) and you are in the US on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.), living outside the US and requiring an F-1 visa to study in the US, or have been educated outside the US, you are classified as an international student.

If you are an undergraduate student, you can contact the Scholarship Office for more information on scholarships. If you are a graduate student, you may contact your department for information on available graduate assistantship opportunities.

GSU also offers the Campus Atlanta Scholarship (100% out-of-state tuition waiver and 50% out-of-state tuition waiver) on a merit basis to qualified incoming international students. Students with an exceptional academic record (grade point average (GPA) above 3.4) may be eligible to have the SAT/ACT waived for the admissions cycle. However, international students with F or J visas are not eligible for federal financial aid.

International students with F or J visas are not eligible for federal financial aid

If you are a non-US citizen, you may be considered an international student at Georgia State University (GSU) and may not be eligible for federal financial aid. GSU defines applicants as international if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Are in the US on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.)
• Are living outside the US and will require an F-1 visa to study in the US
• Are in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received the Permanent Residency Card
• Have been educated outside the US

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident and are considered an international student, you may be classified as such because of your overseas educational background.

Undocumented students are admitted to GSU, and the university offers possible scholarships to help with financial needs. However, to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, students must provide verification of their lawful presence.

GSU admits undocumented students regardless of immigration status

Georgia State University (GSU) admits academically qualified undergraduate students, regardless of immigration status. However, to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires all students applying to GSU to provide verification of their lawful presence.

GSU defines an international student as someone who meets any of the following criteria:

• Is in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.)
• Lives outside the U.S. and will require an F-1 visa to study in the U.S.
• Is in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but has not yet received the Permanent Residency Card
• Has been educated outside the U.S.

International students at GSU are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, limited scholarship opportunities are available to accepted international students. For example, GSU may offer the Campus Atlanta Scholarship (100% out-of-state tuition waiver and 50% out-of-state tuition waiver) on a merit basis to qualified incoming international students.

International students must submit all required admission documents and be academically admissible, but they may lack English proficiency. In this case, students must submit IELTS, TOEFL, or another approved English Language Proficiency test to show their current language skills. These test scores will also determine the student's placement level when they apply to the Intensive English Program.

International students must submit all required admission documents and be academically admissible

International students at Georgia State University (GSU) are classified as such if they meet any of the following criteria:

• They are in the US on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.)
• They live outside the US and will require an F-1 visa to study in the US
• They are in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received the Permanent Residency Card
• They have been educated outside the US

International students at GSU must submit all required admission documents and be academically admissible. This includes submitting official academic records from all secondary or senior secondary schools, pre-university programs, and colleges and universities they have attended. These records must be sent directly from the schools or testing agencies and must be submitted in the native language, accompanied by certified English translations if the native language is not English.

Additionally, international students at GSU may be required to submit proof of English-language proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or another approved English Language Proficiency test. GSU also requires that all international documents be evaluated by an independent evaluation service, and post-baccalaureate applicants are required to submit a document-by-document evaluation. Photocopies of immigration documents may also be required.

It is important to note that international students at GSU are not eligible for federal financial aid, but limited scholarship opportunities are available.

Frequently asked questions