Course Load - International Graduate Students
US immigration law requires international students on a student visa to participate in a full course of study which consists of nine (9) credit hours for most majors. In addition, at least six (6) of those credit hours must require physical presence in a classroom or other designated location. Failure to maintain full-time study will result in the loss of immigration status, and the student may be required to leave the United States. Questions regarding the effect of course load upon immigration status should be directed to immigration advisors in the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs.
Financial Assistance - International Graduate Students
Graduate Assistantship - International students may apply for Graduate Assistantships.
International Diversity Scholarship - Georgia Southern University also offers a limited number of International Diversity Scholarships (Out-of-country tuition waivers) to exceptional international graduate students. The International Diversity Scholarship will waive the assessment of the nonresident (out-of-state) tuition but students will be assessed in-state tuition.
Visa Information - International Students
The University will issue an I-20 or DS-2019, whichever is appropriate, after the applicant has been fully admitted and all required financial documentation has been submitted. These documents permit the applicant to apply for the appropriate student visa from a U.S. embassy if outside the United States or transfer schools or apply for a change of status if within the United States. Note that immigration law restricts the time between completing a degree or practical/academic training and having a new I-20 or DS-2019 issued to 60 and 30 days respectively and classes must start within five months.
International Graduate Student Advisor
The Office of International Student Admissions and Programs at Georgia Southern has experienced and qualified advisors available to help international students with maintaining immigration status and becoming oriented to campus. Advisors are available for advice and support, and a full social and cultural program is available. To help students successfully adjust, international graduate students are required to attend orientation with the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs.
Graduate Student Health Insurance
All international students are required to have adequate student health insurance as determined by Georgia Southern University. A health insurance plan is available through the University. Charges for this insurance will be on the student’s invoice and collected with other University fees. Insurance for families is available at a significantly higher cost. Proof of health insurance is required before a student may register for classes.
English Proficiency for International Students
International applicants and U.S. Citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Prior to consideration for admission, international applicants whose native language is not English must take and post acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand. The TOEFL and IELTS examinations are administered at various times of the year and in many centers throughout the world.
A score of at least 75 (internet-based test, IBT) or 537 (paper-based test) on the TOEFL and 6.0 on the IELTS is normally required to be considered for regular admission to the College of Graduate Studies. The official TOEFL and the official IELTS scores may not be more than two years old. Those who do not meet the minimum proficiency standard may be recommended for enrollment in University English courses or for English courses offered by the English Language Program (ELP) on campus. Successful completion of Intensive English Programs (IEPs) at other English Language Program (ELP) providers will be considered on a case-by- case basis.
Certain graduate programs may require a higher TOEFL or IELTS exam score to be considered for admission.
Late Arrival and Attendance Policy for International Graduate Students
Late arrival after the semester start date is not advised unless there is no other option. Permission to arrive late is not guaranteed, but can be considered at the discretion of the academic program and the College of Graduate Studies. In general, students must arrive by the last day of the add/drop period during the first week of the semester (see Class Attendance Policy and Add/Drop Policies and Procedures). Graduate students who are not able to enter the U.S. by the program start date on the I-20/DS-2019 or the first day of the semester must contact the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs (ISAP), The College of Graduate Studies (COGS), and their academic department to request permission to arrive late. Graduate students needing to request permission for late arrival must also do so using the Graduate Student Academic Appeal system. As part of the appeal process, the student will be asked to provide the following:
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Full Name, Eagle Id, degree level, and name of the graduate program. If you have been offered a Graduate Assistantship (GA), please include the name of the department giving the GA.
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A letter of justification or personal statement indicating why you must arrive late and proof that ISAP, COGS, and your academic department have been notified of your late arrival. The statement should also include the expected arrival dates and courses you are enrolled in.
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Any additional supporting documents (e.g., copy of visa appointment date, copy of airline tickets if available, etc.)
Approval of the appeal request for late arrival and permission letter is not guaranteed and at the discretion of the academic department, ISAP, and COGS. Late arrival requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decisions are final. Requests are most likely to be approved when a student can provide evidence that ISAP and your academic department support the late arrival and that you have a plan for making up for any missed coursework.
We advise that students do not finalize any travel arrangements until the appeal to the COGS has been approved or they have received confirmation from ISAP and the academic department that permission for a late arrival will be supported.
A student should only request a late arrival if they have or are confident they will be able to obtain a current Form I-20 and F-1 visa and/or arrive on campus by no later than the tenth day of the semester. If a student is not confident that they will be able to arrive on campus by the tenth day of the semester, the student should strongly consider deferring admission to a later term (if a new incoming student) or requesting an academic leave of absence (if a current student).
New graduate students who may be more than ten days late may also need to work with their academic department and the graduate admissions office to defer their attendance to the next academic year. ISAP will assist students with updating I-20/DS-2019 documents.
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