The Ultimate FAQ for 2021 Atlanta Campus Admitted Freshmen

Been accepted as a first-year student on Georgia State’s Atlanta Campus? Congrats! Even though the hard part is over, we know there’s still plenty to do before you start life as a Panther. We get all kinds of questions during our special events for accepted students, so we thought it may be helpful to post some common answers here. Below are our most frequently asked questions about financial aid, scholarships, orientation, housing and more. Have a question that’s not here? Join us for an online event or browse the Panther Answer library.

Financial Aid

• When will I receive my financial aid package? Georgia State begins sending financial aid packages in April.
• How do I make sure my FAFSA was received? After you submit the FAFSA, the federal processor will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). If they have a valid email address on file for you, they will send you an email, within 3 to 5 days, with instructions on how to access an online copy of your SAR. Check to make sure Georgia State is one of the institutions listed (001574). If so, Georgia State should receive an electronic record of your FAFSA within days of your receipt of the SAR. You will be able to see receipt of your FAFSA via PAWS. Questions about FAFSA processing can be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-4-FED-AID).
• How do I submit FAFSA? Get started on your FAFSA at fafsa.gov! Check out our blog post on more financial aid and FAFSA tips.
• Can I have more information on scholarships? Visit our Scholarship Resource Center for all of our scholarship info. Remember, most scholarships start with FAFSA!
• Are there scholarships for freshmen? Yes. Freshmen could be eligible for HOPE, Zell Miller, our merit-based scholarships (automatically offered to eligible students) and more. Out-of-state students may also receive a Campus Atlanta scholarship which is also automatically offered to eligible students. Please note that Campus Atlanta and merit-based scholarships have been awarded for 2021, but you can still search all of our scholarships!
• When are merit scholarships being released? Merit scholarships typically start going out in January. Please note that Campus Atlanta and merit-based scholarships have been awarded for 2021.
• How do I change my classification from out-of-state to in-state? Tuition Classification is not automatically updated. Residency status is determined when you apply for admission. Students transitioning from the Associate Level to the Undergraduate Level, or from the Undergraduate Level to the Graduate Level will be reviewed by the appropriate admissions office when they apply for admission. Otherwise, students will need to submit a petition for Tuition Reclassification if they wish to have their residency status updated. Learn more here.
• Am I supposed to fill out 2020-21 FAFSA or 2021-22 FAFSA? Students attending in Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 (including Success Academy students) will fill out 2020-21 AND 2021-22. If you are beginning in Fall 2021, you only need to fill out 2021-22.
• How much is tuition if I get HOPE? Use our cost calculator for an estimate of what your costs will be with factors like the HOPE Scholarship!

Orientation and Academics

• How do I register for orientation? Visit start.gsu.edu to start your orientation process. Start @ State is our series of online modules every student must complete. At the end, first-year students will be prompted to register for an orientation date! Attendance is mandatory for all incoming freshmen. We have virtual and in-person options available.
• When does orientation open? Orientation registration opened March 1. Visit start.gsu.edu to get started.
• When can I meet with an academic advisor? You will meet with an academic advisor during New Student Orientation.
• When/how can I register for classes? You will also register for classes during New Student Orientation.
• How do I know if I need to take a placement exam? Students must register for and complete any required math and/or music theory placement exams before attending orientation. For specific questions about School of Music auditions, math or foreign language placement exams, visit the testing center website.
• How do I choose a minor? If you want a minor, this is usually declared a few semesters in after you’ve decided what you want to study. Then, you can meet with your advisor to officially declare a minor.
• How do I change my major? Students must meet with an advisor to change/declare a major. Incoming freshmen who haven’t registered for classes can email their admissions counselor.
• Will classes be online or in-person in the fall? Classes for Fall 2021 will be hybrid, meaning some will be offered online and some will be in-person. You will be able to see how your classes will be administered upon registration.

Housing

• When will the Summer Housing application open? The summer housing application is now available. Visit myhousing.gsu.edu to apply.
• When can I make roommate selections? For first-year students, roommate selection began on February 9, 2021. Emails will be sent daily as applications are received.
• When is move-in for Fall 2021? Move-in plans are not yet finalized as they may still be impacted by COVID-19 and CDC guidelines. However, move-in typically occurs several days prior to the first day of classes. The first day of classes for Fall 2021 is Monday, August 23, 2021. Residents will likely have to sign up for a move-in time.
• Can I apply for Housing before receiving my Financial Aid packages? Yes. Housing is first-come, first-served, so students do not need to wait for financial aid packages before applying.
• What is Housing doing in response to the pandemic? Check out our latest COVID resources and information. You can also visit our FAQs and Covid19 Notice/ Policies in our Community Living Guide. Note: these policies and practices are what is currently being done per CDC guidelines but may adjust as CDC updates those guidelines.
• Do PEP students receive Housing? Although PEP students are not required to live on campus, they are encouraged to apply.
• Where can Freshmen live? Patton Hall, Piedmont Central, and Piedmont North; spaces are also available in University Commons for those in the Honors College LLC.
• Is Georgia State still doing LLCs (Living Learning Communities)? Yes, visit our LLC page for details.
• If I’m in the Honors College, how do I live in the Commons as a freshman? The Honors College approves who lives in the Honors LLC and there are spaces for first-year Honors students.
• How do I apply for Housing? Learn how to apply for housing.
• When is the latest I can apply for Housing? There is not a deadline to apply for housing. However, it is first-come, first-served. We encourage you to apply early.
• Are the dorms safe? University Housing uses card access for all residences (i.e., they are locked 24/7) and has over 1,000 cameras through the residential facilities. There are staff on-call 24/7 on various staffing levels.  Additionally, GSUPD has a sub-station at the University Commons and does regular patrols around the halls and in parking decks. University Housing has also done resident satisfaction surveys and on a scale of 1 to 7, with a goal of 5.5, we have received the following ratings related to safety:
  

  Question	2019-2020	2018-2019
  Security of your possessions	6.04	6.05
  How safe you feel in your room	6.25	6.25
  How safe you feel in your hall/apartment building	6.19	6.18