GSU INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES

MARCH 2020 Newsletter


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.


Summer Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Applications Open Soon

  • Applications for Summer 2020 open on March 5th and end on April 2nd by 5 pm.

  • There are certain restrictions and other eligibility requirements.

  • For more information or to apply, please click HERE.


Request Travel Signature for Spring Break International Travel

GSU’s Spring Break is coming up March 16th – 22nd. If you plan to travel internationally, DON'T 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 business days, so plan ahead.

Please review our travel information page also before booking any international travel. It has been updated with a travel checklist and a “Know Your Rights” at the US Port of Entry link with referrals, should you ever need them.


U.S. Tax Season is Here (For Tax Year 2019) – In Progress

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 15th, 2020

ISSS offers FREE tax prep software called Sprintax that is designed specifically for non-residents. ISSS advises you to ONLY use Sprintax, which is now available. Follow the iStart instructions to request the free code at the bottom by reviewing the tax information >> HERE << .


ALERT: Tax Season is also Fraud Season

  • Everything Spring, ISSS received a lot of reports of unknown individuals pretending to be IRS agents who try to collect tax payments via high pressure calls or emails

  • If you receive such contact, ignore it or ask ISSS first. For more details, please watch this short VIDEO about tax fraud. Spread the word!


CPT/OPT Employment Workshops

  • ISSS employment workshops are offered to prepare you to apply for CPT or OPT and to answer specific questions. All workshops are held in Sparks Hall, Suite 248 (See dates and times to the left).

  • Workshops are MANDATORY before applying for CPT or OPT. You can attend either the CPT, OPT or both sessions.

  • OPT applicants should complete the workshop only in the semester you plan to graduate.

  • There is no cost. A minimum of 4 students must sign up in advance, or the session will be cancelled.

  • Registration is required: Log-in to iStart and click "Session Sign-ups" to register for the in-person workshop of your choice.

  • More info >> HERE <<


Fall 2020 V.I.S.A Leaders Needed!

VISA (Volunteer International Student Assistant) Leaders are needed for the Fall 2020 orientation.

  • Do you need leadership experience for your résumé? 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 FUN training program.

  • Application form are now available. Please click HERE.

  • For more information, click >> HERE << or contact Amaka Oriala at noriala1@gsu.edu.


2020 International Spring Festival

Every spring, ISAC coordinates the GSU International Spring Festival. It’s a week of events produced by various student groups on campus. International students and their American counterparts seek to promote culture and diversity through a fashion show, dance show, flag parade, cultural activities, and tabled events.

When: March 27 – April 4


Rialto Center for the Arts

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER Jazz Artist

When: Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 at 8 PM

jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater worked with the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Louis Big Band, and performed with such jazz notables as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and Dizzy Gillespie. The three-time Grammy winner and Tony Award-winning jazz vocalist has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. In addition to her many accomplishments as a jazz artist, Bridgewater had a parallel career in musical theater, winning a Tony Award for her role as “Glinda” in The Wiz. In 2017 she was the recipient of the NEA Jazz Masters Fellows Award.

Tickets start from $56 but GSU Student can purchase them at $5 the week of the show. For more information, please click HERE.


ISSS Facebook Likes = 3,130

Just click the Facebook icon to the left to get helpful reminders about deadlines, workshops, events and campus jobs right on our Facebook page.

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)