NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
What is New Student Orientation?
As an incoming student, you’re an incredibly important member of the Panther family, and we are committed to helping you transition smoothly into the Georgia State University community. New Student Orientation is designed to give you information, resources and connections to support you during your first year at Georgia State.
For more details on what to expect, follow the steps below.
Start @ State is the first step in your Georgia State onboarding experience and is required for all incoming undergraduate students and undergraduate transfer students. Through this helpful set of online modules, you’ll learn about all the resources Georgia State has to offer during your time as a Panther and beyond.
You will first need to sign in to Panther Access to Web Services (PAWS) and save your CampusID, password and nine-digit PantherID in the system. You’ll then use that info to access the Start @ State modules, which take about 45 minutes to complete and can be accessed from anywhere. When you’ve completed all modules, you’ll see a screen listing your required next steps (by your specific student type), including registering for on-campus New Student Orientation.
Click on the list for your student type to keep checking things off before the first day of classes.
Registration Deadlines
MARCH - AUGUST
OCTOBER - JANUARY
MARCH - JUNE
All incoming students—except graduate students—are required to complete Start @ State.
After you complete the Start @ State modules (Step 1), you’ll be prompted to register for an on-campus New Student Orientation (NSO) session.* At NSO, which is required for all incoming undergraduate students, you’ll connect with fellow Panthers, meet with an adviser and select and register for your classes.
Note: You will NOT BE able to register for classes until you verify your lawful presence. Submit required documents in person to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or through the document upload section of your admission portal as soon as possible. You may also use your FAFSA to verify your lawful presence.
In addition to verifying your lawful presence before you attend NSO, you should also: apply for housing if you plan to live on campus (check your GSU Email to confirm your selection.), complete your FAFSA if you’re interested in financial aid (GSU’s code is 001574.) and review your Emergency Contact Hold (you must provide at least two emergency contacts in PAWS.).
After NSO, you’ll have a better lay of the land and feel confident about starting your time at Georgia State. The sooner you register for and attend NSO, the better chance you’ll have of getting the classes you want!
Note: You may see two New Student Orientation holds on your PAWS account. The Online Orientation Hold will automatically lift upon completion of the Start @ State modules, and the New Freshman Hold will be released after you attend New Student Orientation; the hold will not lift when you register but after you attend.
*NSO registration requires a mandatory fee for each attendee. The Atlanta NSO fee is $65 and the Perimeter College NSO fee is $25. The charge will be placed on your PAWS account AFTER you attend NSO. NSO Family members and guest attendees are also charged the same fee per person, but it must be paid online during NSO registration. For more information or help, email [email protected].
Important Information for You
Am I required to attend?
Find your student type below for more details and exceptions.
Students beginning their first year online are required to attend a New Student Orientation, specific to online-only students.
F-1 Visa-holders for both the Atlanta Campus and Perimeter College campuses must complete the Start@State online modules. After the I-20 process is complete, F-1 Visa holders MUST complete one of the following options: Attend an online virtual advising event or attend a full in-person New Student Orientation session (if they are already in the United States). Attending either the advising event or a New Student Orientation session will satisfy the NF hold and allow students to register for classes. The week before classes begin, students must attend International Student Orientation and Check-In hosted by International Student & Scholar Services.
Students transferring from another institution are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation. However, optional Transfer New Student Orientations are available for those who would like to attend.
Students who are accepted to transition from Perimeter College to a bachelor’s degree program at the Atlanta Campus are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation. However, optional Transition New Student Orientations are available for those who would like to attend.
Postbaccalaureate students are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation.
Students re-entering Georgia State are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation.
Dual-enrollment students are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation. However, there may be other requirements to fulfill. More details can be found under the Dual Enrollment tab.
Graduate students are NOT required to attend a New Student Orientation. However, there may be other requirements to fulfill. More details can be found on The Graduate School’s website and on specific graduate program pages.
Which New Student Orientation session is right for me?
All first-year students are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. However, if you have been admitted as part of one of the following groups, please review the special instructions below.
The Success Academy program is a three-semester extended learning community. Students receive support and guidance as they begin their collegiate experience. No additional steps are needed. Follow the instructions in your email to complete Start@State and then register for a New Student Orientation session. More information about the Success Academy can be found here.
High school students enrolled in Georgia State courses are considered dual enrolled. All newly admitted dual-enrollment students are required to complete Start@State and then complete a Dual Enrollment Orientation hosted through the Dual Enrollment office. More information about dual enrollment can be found here.
International students are required to complete Start@State, register for an international advising event through the Student Orientation and Family Engagement office and then complete a virtual International Student Orientation hosted through ISSS. After students arrive, in-person events will be hosted and communicated via the students’ email. More information for international students can be found here.
The Panther Excellence Program (PEP) gives you a unique and exciting opportunity to quickly establish yourself at Georgia State and set yourself up for academic and interpersonal success. Through PEP, you will:
- Develop strong study habits and academic skills.
- Begin fulfilling degree requirements.
- Increase your likelihood of attaining or maintaining HOPE Scholarship eligibility. (GA Residents Only)
- Learn about a wealth of resources for support and guidance.
- Make enduring friendships.
Transfer students must complete Start@State for the OO (Orientation) hold to be removed. It may take 24-48 hours for your hold to be released. Transfer students may complete an optional Transfer Orientation session after completing Start@State, but it is not required. More information for transfer students can be found here.
Students transitioning to the Atlanta Campus from a Perimeter College campus must complete Start@State for the OO (Orientation) hold to be removed. It may take 24-48 hours for your hold to be released. Transition students may complete an optional Transition Orientation session after completing Start@State, but it is not required. More information for transition students can be found here.
Contact Us
Atlanta & Perimeter College Campuses
In-Person:
Student Center East, Suite 316
55 Gilmer St. SE
Phone: 404-413-1580
Mailing Address:
Student Orientation and Family Engagement
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3973
Atlanta, GA 30302-3973
Virtually:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: GSU_SOFE
SOFE Events
Panther Family Portal
We’re glad you’ve chosen Georgia State, where we are committed to your success. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at [email protected].