GSU will be closed for the Winter Break from Friday, December 18, 5:15pm – Monday, January 4, 8:30 am.

There will be no access to campus facilities, offices, or services during these times.

ISSS staff will not be able to access email, voice mail or process any e‐form requests.

Spring 2021 classes begin on Monday, January 11, 2021

In case of emergency over the break, please contact GSU Police at 404‐413‐3333.

Want to experience Christmas in America from your own home? AMIS is putting together Christmas Boxes full of crafts, decorations, and everything you need for Christmas with AMIS! We’ll gather on Zoom at 4:00 PM for an hour each day from December 21-25 to create, share, and celebrate! After you sign up, you will receive a box with all the supplies you will need for the week including a small tree, a filled stocking, and Christmas presents! More information and sign up here

For spring, the learning models are still Face to Face, Blended and Online. However, there will be more structured requirements with respect to the in-person, on-campus requirements in the blended courses. Faculty teaching blended courses will have regular in-person, on-campus meetings and will expect attendance in those sessions unless you are sick or have another legitimate excuse. Faculty will not permanently excuse a student from the in-person attendance requirement of a blended course unless the student has secured this accommodation formally through Georgia State’s Office of Access and Accommodation. Social distancing and safety measures will be preserved.

Be sure to check GoSolar for your registration day and time.

For more information >> here

At this time, International Student & Scholar Services is awaiting updated guidance from the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regarding Spring 2021, but it is ISSS’s expectation that the Fall 2020 Guidance will continue for the Spring 2021 Semester. ISSS will update you once SEVP posts new guidance. Should the guidance be updated or amended, we will let you know immediately . Meanwhile, please continue to monitor your GSU email daily, read the ISSS monthly newsletters when received, and review our social media accounts for official updates from ICE and SEVP about spring 2021 enrollment requirements.

Standard enrollment requirements:

• Undergraduate Students: Minimum 12 credit hours in Fall and Spring

• F-1 students are allowed one (3 credit) course that is fully taught online to count towards your full-time enrollment requirements.  Note: This rule may be exempted for spring 2021 when USCIS releases spring enrollment guidance.

• Enrollment details, click >> HERE

Georgia State University is planning to offer instruction Face to Face, Blended, and online in spring 2021.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Student Health Insurance is mandatory for F-1 and J-1 students attending Georgia State University. Students who have adequate alternate ACA compliant health and accident insurance may waive the GSU insurance for Spring & Summer semester 2021 by completing the insurance waiver process. The waiver request period is open December 4, 2020 ‐ January 21, 2021. Spring/Summer coverage begins January 1, 2021 and ends July 31, 2021.

• Note: Insurance Waivers are not granted automatically, and you must renew your waiver each semester.

• For more information about waiving SHIP, please click HERE.

• Perimeter College students may purchase PGH Global Health Insurance to waive SHIP

• PGH Global meets minimum insurance coverage requirements.

• Step by Step instructions to complete the SHIP waiver form available HERE

• If you will keep your GSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you must activate your SHIP coverage by the January 21, 2020 deadline. For sample enrollment instructions, click HERE.

• Waiver denial appeals must be sent to United Healthcare Student Resources at Waiververification@UHCSR.com. All correspondence must include the University/School Name, Student’s Name, and Student’s Panther ID. Please provide your confirmation of coverage (COC) from your insurance provider that confirms your dates of coverage and specifies the benefits that meets the school’s requirements

• Fore more info click here

GSU’s Winter Break is almost here. 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 with “Know Your Rights at the US Port of Entry” link. It contains referrals, should you ever need them.

ISSS will provide more info about filing your U.S. Federal and State of Georgia Tax Returns in February 2021. The tax‐filing deadline is April 15, 2021. What you need to know now is:

• DO NOT BUY Tax Prep Software: like TurboTax, H&R Block or any others!

• Those products were NOT designed for “Non‐Resident Alien” Tax forms

• ISSS will provide free access to special software called “Sprintax” around early March to assist you with your Federal Return.

ISSS extends thanks to the Perimeter College International Peer Assistant (IPA) team for your service in fall 2020. We appreciate your assistance and leadership with our programs this semester.

Tuan Cai

Adjoa Dagba

Toby-Ann Hemmings

Shanice Henry

Agatha Joseph

Muskan Virani

Sungmin Yoo

There were many challenges in 2020, and it has been difficult. We admire your resilience and appreciate your flexibility as we all navigated many adjustments.

On behalf of all of us at Perimeter College in the International Student and Scholar Services Office, we sincerely wish you a Happy Winter Break, safety, safe travels, and a prosperous 2021!