GSU International student & scholar services
April 2020 Newsletter
STAY INFORMED ...
Message from isss staff
The ISSS staff is thinking of you, and we are committed to maintaining dedicated support and services to you as Georgia State University has transitioned to on-line instruction. We are all making adjustments due to COVID-19.
ISSS will continue to operate under normal operating procedures for the remainder of the semester, just from a remote and online platform. This means you can call us directly or email us to request information and/or telephone/web appointments for advisement during our regular advisement hours. Please call us @ 404 413 2070 or email isss@gsu.edu
Here are two very important GSU links we recommend you review regularly:
Please read this newsletter carefully for important information and updates.
Remember, we are here for you, so do not hesitate to contact us when you need us or to just check-in and let us know how you are doing.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Academic:
- Keep Learning: Resources for Learning Away from Campus: https://cetl.gsu.edu/resources/resources-for-learning-remotely/
Medical/Counseling:
- Get the latest facts from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 website.
- GSU Counseling Services: For confidential assistance through the Counseling Center, call 404-413-1640 or visit https://counselingcenter.gsu.edu/services/counseling-services/.
- Student Health Clinic : 404-413-1930. The Student Health Center nurse line is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-855-750-5056.
- For students insured by Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): Healthiest You 24/7 medical and mental health care access. Call 855-870-5858
For students insured by PGH Global: Telebehavioral Health Resources (Counseling Services)
For more information on accessing online tutoring and supplemental resources for writing, math, science, and more, go to https://success.students.gsu.edu/ltc or call (678) 891-3596
Maintaining fulltime enrollement:
Though the university has transitioned to an on-line environment and has extended the withdraw period for students wishing to withdraw from courses, it is very important that F-1 and J-1 students continue to maintain full-time enrollment minimums.
Visit >>HERE<< to review those requirements, and please ask ISSS for more information BEFORE you make decisions to drop courses at this time.
Electronic signatures on the
I-20 Document
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program's Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19 has temporarily allowed the electronic signature and scanning of the I-20 immigration document to F1 students.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a physical copy of the I-20 is not available from our office. ISSS will communicate any future need for issuing the physical I-20 via Department of State or USCIS guidance when it is available.
Fall Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Applications Open Soon
- Applications for Fall 2020 open on April 5th and end on April 30th by 5 pm.
- There are certain restrictions and other eligibility requirements.
- For more information or to apply, please click HERE.
Fall 2020 V.I.S.A Leaders Needed!
VISA (Volunteer International Student Assistant) Leaders are needed for our Fall 2020 orientation.
- Do you need leadership experience for your resume? Are you looking to make new friends and help new international students at GSU?
- This is a short-term paid, on-campus position, and you don’t need CPT or OPT authorization. VISA Leaders are also provided a 3-day training program.
- Application form are now available. Please click HERE.
For more information, click >> HERE << or contact Amaka Oriala at noriala1@gsu.edu.
U.S. Tax Season – Update: Deadline to File now Wednesday, July 15th
According to IRS, the filing deadline for federal tax returns has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. However, the filing deadline for state tax returns may vary. Please check IRS website for more information and updates.
ISSS still encourages you to file your tax return as quickly as possible (before April 15, 2020) if you do not need extra time to prepare and mail your documents.
Only those who arrived in the US for the 1st time in 2020 are not required to complete any forms this year.
ALL other international students and scholars are required to submit Form 8843. If you held a job or had any income in the US in 2019, you must submit both form 8843 and a full tax return. ISSS provides a free code to use Sprintax software to prepare your forms.
Click HERE to get started and receive the free code.
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.
ISAC Events:
( Now online)
Festival of Nations 2020 was a great success!
Students virtually experienced culture, diversity, fun events, food traditions, and much more! All events were free and open to the Georgia State community!
Were you unable to participate or attend one of the many Festival of Nations' events?
If so, all videos and recordings are available on the ISAC Instagram account for you to watch!
All future virtual event details will be posted on social media, so be sure to connect with ISAC on Facebook and Instagram.
CPT/OPT EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS-ONLINE
Completion of Employment Workshops for OPT and CPT are required prior to requesting these benefits.
ISSS employment workshops are offered online and prepare you to apply for your optional F1 Visa benefits: CPT or OPT, and to answer specific questions. All workshops can be done online now.
Requesting Travel Signatures for International Travel
Due to COVID-19, we advise careful consideration of your travel plans this summer, especially if you need to renew or obtain an F-1 visa. The situation is changing daily, so please review the following links:
If you plan to travel internationally, do not forget to request an updated travel signature via iStart. You need an updated signature if your last one is more than 6 months old. Processing time is 3-5 days so plan accordingly.
At this time, students only have the option to receive an electronically signed I-20 by email due to campus closure.
Please also review our travel information with the “Know Your Rights at the US Port of Entry” link. It contains referrals, should you ever need them.
GSU Off-Campus Housing Resource
GSU's Off-campus Housing website to help GSU students identify off-campus housing options offers a wide range of informational topics and resources to assist renters. Please visit the new Off-campus Housing website HERE.
COVID-19 Protection Tips
ISSS Facebook Likes = 3,134
Just click the Facebook icon to the left to like our page. ISSS posts helpful reminders about deadlines, workshops, events and campus jobs. For questions about any of the information mentioned above, contact:
International Student & Scholar Services
Georgia State University
252 Sparks Hall
404.413.2070 (phone)
isss@gsu.edu (email)
isss.gsu.edu (website)