International Student and Scholar Services Office
February 2020 Newsletter
U.S. Tax Season is Here (For Tax Year 2019)
Spring is tax season in the U.S. based on tax year 2019 (January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019). If you initially arrived in the US in 2020, there are no IRS requirements for you this year. All others have at least 1 tax form to complete. IRS Deadline to submit tax form(s): April 15, 2020.
ISSS offers FREE tax preparation software called Sprintax. It is a safe, secure, online software designed specifically for international students and scholars. ISSS advises you to ONLY use Sprintax. Sprintax will be available to use starting on Monday, February 2, 2020. Please start by reviewing the ISSS Tax Information page on our website >> HERE <<
ALERT: Tax Season is also Fraud Season
- ISSS has received reports of unknown individuals pretending to be IRS agents who try to collect tax payments via calls or emails. THIS IS A SCAM!
- If you receive such contact, ignore it or ask ISSS first. For more details, please watch this short VIDEO about tax fraud and let your friends know.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit that allows temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study upon program completion. OPT at the Associate degree level is for a period of 12 months maximum. For more information about OPT and to access the on-line OPT Workshop, go to https://isss.gsu.edu/current-students/employment-authorization/f-1-practical-training/optional-practical-training-opt/.
Students graduating at the end of spring 2020 who are interested in applying for OPT should first complete the on-line OPT workshop. The next step is to visit the ISSS office during Walk–in Advising hours or to schedule an OPT appointment to review the application process. For an OPT appointment, please call:
- Clarkston Campus 678-891-3235
- Dunwoody Campus 770-274-5570
ISSS WALK-IN ADVISING HOURS: Monday - Wednesday from 9 to 11:30 am and Monday – Friday from 1:30 to 4 pm
The earliest date that spring 2020 graduates can apply for OPT is February 5, 2020.
Full-Time Enrollment Reminder
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS: For SEVIS Reporting purposes, all Perimeter College international students must be properly enrolled or re-enrolled via the “registration adjustment” process if you were dropped for non-payment, by Friday, February 7th. Enrollment requirements are >> HERE <
Valentine’s Day around the World
Join us to learn how love is celebrated in different countries and cultures around the world.
Light refreshments will be served.
Hosted by the International Peer (IPA) Program. For more information, call 678-891-3235.
Clarkston: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | 12 - 1 p.m. | CN 2220
Dunwoody: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 | 12 - 1 p.m. | NB 1601/1602
Important Spring Break Travel Signature Reminder
Don’t forget to have your form I-20 or DS-2019 signed before you depart the U.S over the spring break if your current travel endorsement is more than 6 months old. For details on this requirement and request process, please click >> HERE.
Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute! All requests in iStart take 3-5 days to process.
International Peer Assistant (IPA) Program is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 program
Would you like to make new friends while welcoming new international students to Perimeter College? Would you like to help plan International Coffee Hours and other cultural events to provide opportunities for culture sharing at Perimeter College? If this sounds like you and you would like to apply to join the IPA team, please email vbarnes8@gsu.edu to request an application..
Applications due: Friday, April 8, 2020 at 5 p.m.
The rewards include gaining experience you can put on your resume, meeting new people, practicing valuable leadership skills. This will be a short-term paid position.
Visit the U.S. Capital – Washington, D.C.
ISSS will sponsor an exciting, low-cost day trip to Washington, D.C. this Spring. Participants will visit all the major sites of the U.S. Capital and have plenty of free time.
Dates: May 5-8, 2020. Departure after Spring semester finals and return in time for Maymester classes.
Estimated Cost: $350. Includes round-trip flight and 3 nights shared hostel rooms.
To Apply: If you are interested in attending this trip, please contact Meng Sun at msun13@gsu.edu.
For more details about the trip, please click HERE
NEW! GSU Off-Campus Housing Resource
We are excite to inform you that GSU has recently launched an Off-campus Housing website to help GSU students identify off-campus housing options. The website also offers a wide range of informational topics and resources to assist renters. Please visit the new off-campus Housing website HERE.
Upcoming Cultural Festivals
Culture Fest 2020
- April 1st, 2020 | Student Center | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Dunwoody Campus|
Food, music, cultural artifact displays, cultural attire, dance, musical performances, refreshments, and more… Funding from Student Fees.
International Festival
- April 7th, 2020 | Student Center | 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Clarkston Campus|
Food, music, cultural artifact displays, cultural attire, dance, musical performances, refreshments, and more… Funding from Student Fees.
February AMIS Events
AMIS Day 2020
Feb 09, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, 607 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA, USA
Come Celebrate the Sweetness of International Friendship with friends and volunteers of AMIS with desserts from around the world!
Sign up <<Here>>
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For questions about any of the information mentioned above, contact:
International Student & Scholar Services
Georgia State University Perimeter College
Clarkston Campus: 678-891-3235
Dunwoody Campus: 770-274-5570
issspc@gsu.edu (email)
isss.gsu.edu (website)