Dear student, We are excited to have you here at Valdosta State University! This handbook, along with the VSU Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog, VSU Student Handbook, will help answer most of your questions about life at Valdosta State. If you have other questions not answered in any of these publications, please contact the Center for International Programs and we will gladly assist you.

Note: For the sake of differentiating between the two types of student visa that this handbook is designed for, please note the following:

  • All international students that are studying in the US with an F-1 visa will be referred to in this handbook as F-1 students, while international students studying with a J-1 visa will be referred to as exchange students.

i. Settling in Valdosta

ii. Important Immigration Documents

iii. Mandatory Health Insurance Plan

iv. How To

i. SETTLING IN VALDOSTA

GETTING YOUR VSU ID 
Your first step when you arrive at VSU should be to get your VSU ID at the 1Card Office. Your VSU ID is your key to a lot of services and benefits that are available to VSU students only, like getting into your residence hall, using your meal plan to eat at the dining hall, etc.

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CHECKING INTO YOUR RESIDENCE HALL 
After getting your VSU ID card, you will need to head to the Housing Office located at Hopper Hall or your residence hall to get your keys. Please do not forget to check your Banner account for your Persona PIN.

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FINDING AND MOVING INTO OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING 
If it is your first time in the US, you probably do not have a social security number which is required to be able to rent most apartments and houses. However, if you are not admitted as a freshman college student, would like to live off-campus, there are nearby apartment complexes around VSU that will accept other documents instead of a social security number. Please make sure that you read the whole lease agreement (leasing contract) and that you understand the terms of the lease agreement you are agreeing to. Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand! More on Off-Campus Housing can be found here.

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VSU WIRELESS 
All students are welcome to use the internet connection on-campus. To connect to the internet via VSU’s wireless network, please follow the steps for your device located on the IT Helpdesk Wireless page. If you live on-campus and would like to connect your devices to the network, please see the IT Helpdesk’s guides or request assistance by visiting the IT Helpdesk in Odum Library.

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