Valdosta State University is pleased to be able to award International Student Scholarships to qualified students. The International Student Scholarship may be a partial waiver of out-of-state tuition, or a full waiver of the out-of-state tuition and fees that must be paid. Students who receive this award will still be required to pay instate tuition.

The completed International Scholarship application must accompany the application for admission if you wish to be considered for the award. To avoid delays in your admission to the university, it is important to submit all admissions materials along with the ISS application.

Scholarships should be sent in with your application packet. Scholarship decisions will be made as soon as possible after the student has been accepted to into a VSU academic program. Acceptance to VSU and scholarship awards will be made through mid March or the posted application deadline.

Preference will be given to qualified applicants who come to VSU from overseas. Qualified students who transfer from other US colleges and universities will be considered if funding is available. All scholarships are awarded in April for the following academic year. Students who begin their studies in the Spring may apply for the scholarship, but the awarding of scholarships starting in the Spring semester will depend on availability of funds.

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated academic ability, evidence of extracurricular involvement, and financial need.

Once a student has received the scholarship, it will be renewable for the duration of the initial degree program as long as the student meets both academic and service requirements and maintains appropriate immigration status.

In order to keep a scholarship, a student must meet both academic and service requirements:

Academic Requirements:

1. Carry a full academic load of 12 hours each semester as an undergraduate or 9 hours /6 hours as a graduate student (depending on the program/major)
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0
3. Maintain appropriate immigration status at all times
4. Obey immigration regulations, university policy, state and local laws

Service Requirements:

1. Students with a full out-of-state tuition waiver must participate in the International Dinner (first weekend of March) and two of the following activities each year:
one activity from list I.
one activity from list II.
2. Students with a partial out-of-state tuition waiver must participate in two of the following activities each year:
the International Dinner and one activity from list II.

List I

1. Participate in Dr. Matthew Richards' Anthropology class project - consists of pairing up American students with an international student in order to study cultural life cycles (Fall semester only)
2. Azalea Festival - Participate in the International Village (second weekend in March) - Drexel Park, across from the University Center, VSU Main Campus.
3. Speak to a class or civic group - Prepare a presentation about your country and deliver it to two classes or civic groups.
4. Active participation in SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise, club for business majors). SIFE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work in partnership with business and higher education to provide college students the leadership experience of teaching others how market economies and businesses operate, and how to use this knowledge to better themselves, their community and their country. (Receive certification for SIFE)

List II

1. Participate in International Education Week - in the week before the Thanksgiving week - you can display boards and items from your country or perform.
2. Participate in World Hunger Day - October
3. Active participation in the SIS (Society for International Students)
4. Asian Cultural Experience Program - first weekend in March.

VIOLATIONS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS, UNIVERSITY POLICY, OR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ARE GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE REVOCATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP. SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE REVOKED FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN STATUS (FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FULL-TIME ATTENDANCE OR FOR WORKING OFF CAMPUS WITHOUT PERMISSION)

SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE REVOKED FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A 3.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE.

SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE REVOKED FOR FAILURE TO COMPLETE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.

The scholarship is awarded for one degree only. Students seeking a second undergraduate or second graduate degree are not eligible for the scholarship a second time.

The scholarship is awarded for the entire year, including summer semester, but must be renewed each Fall. Scholarship applicant's grades and service activity will be reviewed each semester.

Undergraduate students who meet the requirements will be eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of four years. Graduate students who meet the requirements will be eligible for the scholarship for a maximum of two years.

Students who fail to maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or who fail to complete service requirements will be given one semester to correct the situation. If the requirements are not met in that semester, the scholarship will be revoked. Students who fail to maintain 3.0 GPA for any two semesters during their university stay will lose their scholarships.

DEADLINE: MARCH 15

The application for admission, the application for the International Student Scholarship, all transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, TOEFL scores and the certificate of finances must be received in the Center for International Programs by March 15. Fax copies are not acceptable. In other words, if you plan to begin classes in August, the above materials should be submitted by March 15. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered. All scholarship applicants will be notified by letter of the results of the competition by April 25.

If you are planning to enter VSU in Spring or Summer, you may apply for the scholarship, but availability of awards will depend on funding.

Many students apply for this scholarship each year. Because only a limited numbers of scholarships are available, you should not depend on receiving the scholarship when you complete your Certificate of Finances.

Please be sure to complete your application carefully. Messy and incomplete applications are disqualified.