The OISP provides assistance and support to international students, scholars, and faculty and also promotes discourse among and between international students and their U.S. counterparts. Orientation and on-going assistance in adjusting to the new and unfamiliar academic and cultural environments, as well as the U.S. systems of insurance, health care, law, employment, etc., are addressed in this office. The office staff serves as a liaison with academic departments, the diplomatic corps, and a variety of international agencies. International students who need to withdraw from classes or from the university should see an adviser in the OISP before doing so. A quarterly newsletter informs students about immigration law and on programs of interest to international students.
Assistance is available for emergency situations involving international students.
Ted Heidecker International Student Emergency Loans for tuition are also available to enrolled international students with demonstrated financial need. Applications for an Eva Whetstone International Student Emergency Loan are available for enrolled international students at International Services. There are twenty-three international student associations whose purpose is to provide culturally sensitive programming which recognizes and celebrates the backgrounds and perspectives of international students, while including and promoting awareness of other cultures. International Student Health Insurance Health and accident insurance is mandatory for all international students and scholars in nonimmigrant status enrolled at Georgia State University. A special international student health and accident insurance policy is made available each academic year and payment of the quarterly insurance premiums is collected along with tuition during the process of registration.