Accepted Study Abroad Student Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to your study abroad program, now what!? Based on the type of program you’re doing, you’ll have several different steps to complete between the time you’re accepted to your program and when you hop on a flight across the world! You’ll find information, links, and resources below to help you as you prepare to study abroad.

All students accepted to a study abroad program must complete the post-acceptance steps available to them once their application status has been updated to “Accepted.” Please login to your application to complete the post-acceptance steps:

Login to Your Application 

Faculty-Led Programs

1. Pay Your Deposit

Login to PantherPay via PAWs to pay your deposit using eDeposits.

To pay your deposit & 1st program payment:

  • Login to PAWS (paws.gsu.edu)
  • Click the Finances tab
  • Click the "View/Pay Account" link in the "My Bill" box, and a new window for PantherPay will open
  • In PantherPay, click the “eDeposits” tab at the top
  • Select the term in which you are studying abroad from the drop down list
  • Select your program's name from the next drop down list
  • Enter the amount you want to pay
  • Select the payment method and follow the rest of the prompts to submit the payment (you can pay with a web check or credit card)

2. Apply for Scholarships

3. Health Clearance Form

All students participating in GSU study abroad programs are required to submit a Health Clearance Form signed by an MD or DO. Call the GSU Student Health Clinic at (404) 413-1930 to set an appointment as soon as you've been accepted because appointment slots fill up quickly!! Here's a copy of the Health Clearance Form & you'll find the program health description on the program page online. If you cannot get an appointment at the GSU clinic, you will need to make an appointment with your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic.

4. Apply for Travel Documents

5. Verify Financial Aid

No additional forms or steps are required for GSU-sponsored programs. You can read more about financial aid for study abroad on our website and please visit the Financial Management Center (Sparks 227/228) to request a referral to speak with a Financial Aid Advisor about how your specific financial aid package applies to your study abroad.

6. Register for the Course(s)

Students participating in a GSU faculty-led program are required to register for the course associated with their program. Students will be responsible for the tuition & fees for those credit hours in addition to the program cost. If you're unsure of what to register for, please contact your program director.

7. Pay Your Student Account

The full program cost & any deposits/payments you made will be posted to your student account (in early December for Spring programs & early April for Maymester/Summer programs), along with the tuition & fees for any other courses you've registered for. Make sure your student account balance is paid in full by the deadline tuition & fee payment, otherwise you will be dropped from your courses.

8. Research Your Host Country & Learn About Safety Abroad

9. Attend Pre-Departure Orientation

Your program director will host at least 1 pre-departure orientations where they will share invaluable information about what to expect on your program. Please make sure to attend! Dates will be announced by your program director. In addition, the Study Abroad Programs Office will host a pre-departure orientation session for all students. While this is not a mandatory event, we will provide general travel information, information about health & safety abroad, etc. Download our pre-departure presentation to find tips on packing, dealing with culture shock, and first-time travel tips. Please check our calendar for the time & date of our next pre-departure orientation!

10. Make Sure All Post-Acceptance Steps Are Complete on Your Program Application

Post-acceptance

Login to Your Application 

GSU Exchange Programs

1. Apply to Your Host University

Being accepted to your study abroad program via the GSU online application is just the first step! Your program director will nominate selected candidates to the host university and will be in touch with you about the additional paperwork you need to submit. Failure to submit information to your host university could result in a delayed letter of acceptance, which is often necessary when applying for a visa.

2. Apply for Scholarships

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3. Apply for Travel Documents

4. Transfer Credit Approval Form

Completing the Transfer Credit Approval Form (TCAF) will ensure that your classes transfer back to GSU. Failure to complete this form will delay your grades being entered into your transcript, which may cause problems with your Financial Aid. It's best to complete this form before you go abroad, but know that it is not set in stone and can always be amended. Please contact the Study Abroad Programs Office if you have any questions about completing the TCAF.

5. Health Clearance Form

All students participating in GSU study abroad programs are required to submit a Health Clearance Form signed by an MD or DO. Call the GSU Student Health Clinic at (404) 413-1930 to set an appointment as soon as you've been accepted because appointment slots fill up quickly!! Here's a copy of the Health Clearance Form & you'll find the program health description on the program page online. If you cannot get an appointment at the GSU clinic, you will need to make an appointment with your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic.

6. Register for INEX Courses

This will trigger the bill for your tuition & fees, which must be paid by the semester payment deadline. The Study Abroad Programs Office will be in touch about how to register for INEX courses.

7. Enroll in Insurance

As a GSU exchange study abroad student, you are required to enroll in CISI Insurance for the duration of your time abroad. Please login to your application to find the GSU group rate code in your post-acceptance materials. This insurance is mandatory and the Study Abroad Programs Office will check to make sure that you have enrolled in the insurance plan before you depart. Please download a copy of the CISI Policy Brochure and share with your emergency contacts.

8. Verify Financial Aid

No additional forms or steps are required for GSU-sponsored programs. You can read more about financial aid for study abroad on our website and please visit the Financial Management Center (Sparks 227/228) to request a referral to speak with a Financial Aid Advisor about how your specific financial aid package applies to your study abroad.

8. Research Your Host Country & Learn About Safety Abroad

9. Attend Pre-Departure Orientation

The Study Abroad Programs Office will host pre-departure orientation sessions for exchange students several times per semester where we will provide general travel information, information about health & safety abroad, etc. Download our pre-departure presentation for exchange students to find info on required documents & forms, dealing with culture shock, and first-time travel tips. Make sure to check our calendar for the next exchange pre-departure orientation session!

10. Make Sure All Post-Acceptance Steps Are Complete on Your Program Application

Login to Your Application