CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION & LAWFUL PRESENCE
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires that any student applying to Georgia State University will be required to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States before their admission to the university can be finalized.
- Policy 4.1.6 Admission of Persons Not Lawfully Present in the United States
- Policy 4.3.4 Verification of Lawful Presence
How can the Citizenship Verification Hold be removed?
- Verification through the Federal Aid Financial Aid Form (FAFSA). If you are either a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident or eligible non-citizen (does not apply to international students on a visa) that has completed and submitted a FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will verify your lawful presence. If you are not able to be confirmed as lawfully present the Office of Financial Aid will follow-up with you for additional documentation.
- Submission of one of the following documents:
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization *
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship *
- U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad*
- Current U.S. Passport *
- Current GA Driver’s License issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008*
- Current GA ID Card issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008*
- Permanent Resident Card*
- Certified U.S. Birth certificate (must be submitted in person)
- Military ID (must be verified in person)
- Verification through SEVIS (Student and Exchange Information System)
If you have or are applying for an F, or J visa we will verify your lawful presence through SEVIS. As this is already part of the immigration process there are no additional steps required to have your Citizenship Verification Hold removed. Simply comply with the requirements outlined by our Office of International Student and Scholar Services as you prepare to arrive to GSU.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Georgia State University admits all academically qualified undergraduate students, regardless of immigration status. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires all students applying to Georgia State University to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
In accordance with Board of Regents policy 4.1.6, Georgia State University will admit academically qualified undocumented students to undergraduate programs at its Atlanta campus. This change is effective for admissions to the spring 2017 semester. Applicants and transition students wishing to enroll must meet all academic requirements for acceptance into bachelor-degree programs at Georgia State University. If accepted and enrolled, undocumented students will be required to pay out-of-state tuition as required by state law and Board of Regents policy 4.3.2.3.
Contact Us
Office of Academic Assistance
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
The Graduate School
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Contact us for information on the application process. Program-specific inquiries should be directed to your college, school or institute of interest.