Admission to the University of Georgia The ISL office provides the following admissions information on this web site as a resource only.  Specific admissions questions should be addressed to the appropriate admissions office or to the particular academic department in which you wish to study.  Websites for the University of Georgia Admissions offices are as follows: Graduate Admissions           www.grad.uga.edu Undergraduate Admissions  www.admissions.uga.edu Both of these websites include special pages specifically focused on international applicants that include information concerning the unique procedures required for internationals desiring to study at UGA.

General Information The American system of education allows students to start their academic studies at the beginning of any semester. However, the majority of students apply to be admitted in the fall semester because this is considered to be the beginning of an academic year in the U.S.  Before applying to UGA, be sure that the University offers the degree and program of study that you want by reviewing the appropriate information on the UGA admissions websites. Each admissions office (and sometimes your academic department) will have important information concerning specific deadlines and special application procedures that must be adhered.  Pay close attention to these deadlines to insure that your application receives full consideration by University officials for admission to UGA.  Graduate student applicants should be sure to contact the appropriate academic department to find out specific information concerning any additional materials that may be required by your program (outside of the materials you must provide to the UGA Graduate School).  Applying for international admission at UGA can be a lengthy process.  Give yourself plenty of time to complete all of the necessary steps for admission.  There are many offices at UGA that you may have to speak to while gathering information about applying to UGA.  Additionally, keep in mind that application procedures for admissions to U.S. colleges and universities can be time consuming and sometimes awkward to understand.  You may want to begin the application process at least one year before the term in which you wish to matriculate (begin your studies).   Special Degree Programs There are a few degree programs at UGA that have unique application procedures for all students (especially at the graduate level).  Some of these programs include (but are not limited to) business, law, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.  It is best to check with the department in which you wish to study to make sure that you are completing the admissions process according to the appropriate procedures and deadlines.  Special Terms and Definitions (An Admissions Glossary) Some of the terms used on the admissions application forms may be unfamiliar for international applicants.  We hope the list below will help clarify some of these commonly misunderstood words.    Freshmen Undergraduate students in their first year of studies are called Freshmen. As students take classes and earn academic credit towards their degree they become known as Sophomores, Juniors and finally, at the highest level before graduation, they are called Seniors.  These levels are based on the number of undergraduate credit hours earned towards completing a bachelor’s degree.  Graduate Students Typically individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (by U.S. standards) and who are studying for an advanced degree including a master’s or doctorate in their chosen field of study.  (The term master’s degree is not to be confused with the master’s degree offered by the European Union.  In the U.S. system of higher education, these two terms are not necessarily synonymous.) Transfer Students Some students begin their undergraduate studies at other universities around the world, but then decide they want to study at UGA instead. Instead of simply starting their degree at UGA from the very beginning, they may be able to transfer credit for some or all of the classes they have already taken previously.     Semester The academic year at UGA begins in August and is split into two terms called semesters (each approximately fifteen weeks long excluding holidays and school breaks). The first term is called fall semester (August – December) and the second term is called spring semester (January – May). In the summer, students can take classes in a short 4 week term called Maymester or they can take classes during the summer semester.

Your Immunization Requirements (for International Students)
Before you can register for any classes, you must submit proof of certain immunizations to the UGA health center [http://www.uhs.uga.edu/].  For the most current listing of the types of immunizations required of UGA students, visit the Health Center’s website.  If you do not have proof of the immunizations required, you will not be able to register for classes and will be required to get the appropriate immunizations before registering for class.  There is usually a charge for getting your immunizations in the U.S.

You must also complete the University Health Center’s Immunization and Medical History Form.  This form should have been included with the materials UGA sent to you by the admissions office when you were admitted.  If you do not have this form, visit the Health Center’s website to download a copy. [http://www.uhs.uga.edu/] If requirements are met, the Health Center staff will clear you to register for classes.

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Financial Matters

Financial Aid
Some of the financial aid information you receive from UGA may be applicable only to American citizens. For instance, students who are citizens of other countries are not eligible to receive U.S. federal financial aid or the HOPE Scholarship (a Georgia-based scholarship). The following information relates to financial issues that you should know about as an international student:

• The cost of tuition for a student who is from Georgia is cheaper than that for a student from another country. A person in Georgia will pay in-state tuition, while a person from anywhere other than the state of Georgia will pay out-of-state tuition costs. Most international students will pay out-of-state tuition costs.
• Financial aid for international students is not easy to find. It is also not a fast process.  To assist you, we have provided links to several resources for financial aid options (including scholarship information) for international students below in the Financial Aid Resources for International Students section.
• Be sure to start early!  Some applications require many supporting documents that will take a long time to acquire.

Financial Aid Resources for International Students
Be sure that non-residents are eligible to apply for any of these programs / scholarships before submitting your applications!

1. Information from Intercultural Affairs at UGA:www.uga.edu/ica/otherscholarships.html
2. Information from the University System of Georgia: www.usg.edu/oie/students/financial/
3. International Student Life maintains a list of scholarships specifically for international students. The list is available in the ISL Office.  Application deadlines vary and each scholarship/award program has its own set of criteria.  Interested students may contact ISL for more information about this list.
4. The Office of International Education [www.uga.edu/oie ] (OIE) has a special Out-of-State-Tuition Waiver Program which allows international students to pay only in-state tuition.
1. This is not a scholarship and there are specific criteria that a student must meet in order to obtain that waiver.
2. Typically, students will not receive the waiver until after they have studied at UGA for two years.  
3. Additionally, there may be limitations regarding how many times a student has access to this waiver. 
4. Contact OIE for more information.

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International Student Health Insurance & Medical Costs
Medical costs are very expensive in the USA.  The concept of the U.S. system of health care and health insurance can be very complicated to understand. Having good health insurance helps provide international students with relief from incurring unexpected, high medical costs in the U.S.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) regulations require you to have health insurance. 

UGA has a specific insurance plan that is required for international students.  To learn more about the current UGA health insurance plan (including benefits and cost information), visit the University Health Center’s website: www.uhs.uga.edu/insurance/index.html

 

Tuition and Fees at UGA
There is no 'single cost' that can be quoted to tell you how much your education at UGA will total. Your immigration documents quote one price, but even this price may not be the exact the amount you will pay.  In the USA, students pay for the classes they take (tuition) as well as additional fees (called Student Fees) that the University charges for certain services provided to all students.  For example, there is a fee for the UGA student health center, fees for the physical recreation center, technology fees to help provide student computers and access to technology across campus, funding for the buses that transport students around campus, as well as student activity fees which help pay for funding for numerous student groups as well as extracurricular activities and events.   

Each student has their own UGA Student Account that will give you specific information about the fees and tuition you must pay each semester.  You can check your student account after you have successfully registered for classes to see how much you owe the University.  To pay for your tuition and fees, you may use certain credit cards or pay with cash or a check.  Check with the University’s Bursar’s office: www.bursar.uga.edu/index.html for specific information concerning payments.

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Housing

International Student Life assists new and transfer international students with finding housing in the Athens community.  We are happy to provide resources as well as to serve as advisors for your housing questions.  The following section will include information concerning both temporary and permanent housing options.  Please contact our office should you require further assistance or have any questions.

Temporary Housing
This section provides information about four different types of temporary housing options upon arrival to the USA (specifically in Atlanta and Athens).  The four options include: Accommodation information (links) for Atlanta hotels, information for Athens hotels, ISL international student organization information, and a temporary housing option offered by ISL on the UGA campus during the fall orientation only.

Accommodations in Atlanta
Atlanta was designed for drivers and not pedestrians, so there is limited public transportation. If you arrive after the last AAA Shuttle has left for Athens, we recommend that you find a hotel close to the airport to stay for that night. Visit the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport website [http://www.atlanta-airport.com] for specific information about hotels close to the Atlanta airport.  Try to plan ahead in case you do need to stay in Atlanta overnight by taking hotel information with you before you leave your home country.  Also be sure to ask if the hotel offers a free shuttle service to pick you up at the airport and to take you back the next day so you won’t have to pay for a taxi.

Athens & UGA Temporary Housing

Athens Hotels

There are a number of temporary housing options in the Athens community.  The University of Georgia has a hotel on-campus called the Georgia Center Hotel.  Visit their website: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/hotel/ for more information concerning availability and prices.  Students may also choose to stay in a local hotel http://www.visitathensga.com/ while they are searching for permanent housing, although this option may be expensive-depending on the length of your stay.  Be sure to ask for price information before making a reservation.  Also, ask if they have any discounts or special rates for the time you will be staying with them (for UGA students, etc.).  For your convenience and information, some of the hotels located close to the University in Athens include:

• Days Inn
  230 North Finley Street
  Phone: 706-543-6511
  800-329-7466
  Fax: 706-208-8467
  www.daysinnathens.com
• Courtyard by Marriott*
  166 Finley Street
  Phone: 706-369-7000
  800-321-2211
  Fax: 706-548-4224
  www.courtyard.com/AHNCY
• Foundry Park Inn & Spa*
  295 East Dougherty Street
  Phone: 706-549-7020
  toll-free 866-928-4367 (9-ATHENS)
  Fax: 706-549-7085
  www.foundryparkinn.com
• Hilton Garden Inn*
  390 East Washington St. (across from The Classic Center)
  Phone: 706-353-6800
  Toll free: 877-Stay-HGI
  www.stayhgi.com
• Holiday Inn*
  197 E. Broad Street
  Phone: 706-549-4433
  800-465-4329
  FAX: 706-548-3031
  www.hi-athens.com
• Holiday Inn Express*
  513 West Broad Street
  Phone: 706-546-8122
  800-465-4329
  Fax: 706-546-1722
  www.hi-athens.com

• Suburban Extended Stay Hotel
  2044 South Milledge Drive
  Phone: 706-208-8812
  Toll free: 1-877-424-6423
  Fax: 706-208-8813
  www.choicehotels.com
  milledge@premierhotel.com

• Travelodge
  898 West Broad Street
  Phone: 706-549-5400
  800-578-7878

• UGA Georgia Center*
  

  1197 South Lumpkin Street
  Athens, Georgia 30602-3603
  Toll free: 1-888-295-8894
  Monday through Friday
  8 a.m. –  5 p.m.

  http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/

*Indicates that the AAA Shuttle from Atlanta makes a stop at this location.

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International Student Organizations
Students may wish to contact an international student organization from your home country for temporary housing. (link to student group page)  Sometimes these groups are able to assist with temporary housing for new international students.  Additionally, ISL provides a temporary housing option during the fall orientation program only. 

Fall* Orientation Temporary Housing

The International Student Life Office is happy to announce that during fall orientation we will offer temporary housing on campus for new incoming international students from August 3 – 10, 2009. The residence hall where we will be staying is in close proximity to all of the orientation sessions and the International Student Life Office.

For more information, please also feel free to visit our website at www.uga.edu/isl or
www.uga.edu/isl/newstu/housing.html#orienthousing

A prepaid, non-refundable registration fee of $250 is required in order to reserve a space in temporary housing. The registration fee covers the total cost of staying seven nights from Monday, August 3 through early Monday morning, August 10, and includes the following services:

7 nights accommodation (with one other person of the same sex sharing your room)
Suite-style or community-style bathroom (shared with other people of the same sex in your suite or on your floor)
Residence Hall fees
Linens (sheets for the bed)
Keys to your room
Special pass required to enter the building
Electricity
Water
Staffing


The prepaid, non-refundable registration fee of $250 for temporary housing on-campus during the international student orientation can be paid via credit card or money order made payable to the University of Georgia. Students who wish to reserve a space in temporary housing should contact Leigh Poole at the International Student Life Office via email: isltemphousing@gmail.com

or telephone 706-542-5867.

Please be prepared to answer the following questions (or include the answers in your email correspondence):

Name
Age
Sex
Country of Origin
UGA Student ID Number (found in your admissions packet)
Area of Study
Graduate or Undergraduate student?
Email address
Contact phone number
Special Needs
Do you have a Fall assignment for on-campus housing? (Yes or No)
If yes, where?
Method of payment – Money order or Credit card*
(*Do NOT send your credit card information or number via email!!!)

*Payment by Credit Card

If you are paying with a Credit Card, please call the ISL Office at 706-542-5867 to give us the following information over the telephone:

• Type of credit card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.)
• Card holder's name (as it appears on the card)
• Card number (for security purposes, you may wish to call ISL to give us your card number)
• Expiration date (for security purposes, you may wish to call ISL to give us this information)

Sending your credit card information over the internet through emails is NOT secure! UGA will not accept payments that include credit card numbers via email. Please be sure to call International Student Life with your credit card information during our regular business hours, Monday - Friday from 8:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) to 5:00 pm. This procedure helps insure your personal security and information and we thank you in advance for your cooperation. Once ISL has received and processed pre-payment for the room, students will receive a confirmation letter via email confirming their reservation for the temporary housing option.

Key Deposit
Upon arrival / check-in for temporary housing, students will be asked to pay a refundable key deposit of $75.  (This amount is in addition to the non-refundable registration fee.)  This deposit is payable during the ISL orientation check-in by check, cash, or credit card and will be returned during check-out as long as the room is not damaged and the student returns the room key.

Checking Out of ISL Temporary Housing
Please note: Check-out for all students residing in the temporary on-campus housing option will be on Monday, August 10, 2009, in the early morning. Students who elect to leave the residence hall earlier than Monday morning (8/10/09) will not receive a refund for the nights they did not stay in the residence hall. Additionally, this housing option cannot accommodate spouses, children, or family members. Students who have a fall contract to reside in on-campus UGA housing should inform Leigh Poole upon making the request and payment for the temporary housing option. Leigh has special instructions and additional information from the UGA Housing Department for students living in on-campus housing during 2009-2010.

If you are interested in ISL's temporary housing option during international student orientation, please let ISL know as soon as possible. Students will be placed on a first come first served basis. Contact ISL at ugaisl@uga.edu or (706) 542-5867 for additional information.

Permanent Housing Options

Many international students who attend the University of Georgia find it difficult to secure off campus housing from overseas because they need time in Athens to look to see what is available, what is cost effective, etc. It is our hope that by asking the international students to come in early August that you will all have more time to explore your housing options before classes begin.

During orientation, we have built time into the schedule for students to research housing options. Additionally, we have asked a few apartment complexes to come to a "Welcome to Athens Fair" on Tuesday, August 4, to provide all of our students with more information concerning off campus housing options.

May we suggest that you look at the ISL web site for further information, specifically the new student travel letter called Georgia Bound. (You may have already received this letter as a part of your admissions packet.)

"Georgia Bound" provides the information about housing and approximate costs for new students. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a copy of this newsletter at: http://www.uga.edu/isl/newstu/travel.html

Most graduate students live off campus or if there is space available they choose to live in Family and Graduate Housing. The Family and Graduate Housing web site is very helpful: http://www.uga.edu/housing/gradfam/index.html

Please be aware that UGA Family and Graduate Housing may be full at this time. If it is, you will need to search for off campus housing for you and your family.

You may wish to research apartments on the internet. The following sources can be quite helpful:

http://www.apartmentbluebook.com (Athens Apartments)

http://www.onlineathens.com (Classified section)

http://www.flagpole.com  (Athens Community magazine, see the Classified section)

http://www.redandblack.com (UGA Student newspaper, see the Classified section)

Apartments off campus range from $400 to $700 dollars per month. ISL has a housing bulletin board in our office where individuals can post information concerning housing options. People who have an apartment and are looking for a roommate post their contact information on this bulletin board so prospective renters/roommates might contact them. Additionally, people who do not have an apartment, but are looking for a roommate post information as well.

There are also several other places on campus that provide this kind of information as well. New students typically do a lot of this kind of research once they arrive in Athens.

Our office web site is:
www.uga.edu/isl

You can also review links to other housing information sites through the
following site:

http://www.uga.edu/isl/newstu/housing.html

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Orientation

General Information
New UGA students will find that there are many orientations which are sponsored by different offices and departments across campus. Although important to attend, none of these programs will address the unique needs or circumstances of international students.  This part of the ISL website provides general information concerning the unique content of the ISL orientation [2009 Orientation schedule PDF] special services offered only for international students matriculating to UGA as well as basic information concerning other orientations on campus. 

Each year the ISL office coordinates a special orientation specifically for international students at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.  The information included in the ISL orientations is not covered by any other orientation program on campus.  Highlights from the ISL orientation program include information concerning immigration issues, taxes for non-residents, housing assistance, course registration procedures, Social Security Cards, UGA payroll, cross-cultural adjustment, life at UGA / in Athens, and campus tours.  It is extremely important for all new and transfer international students to attend the ISL International Student Orientation. 

Orientation dates for each of the international student orientation sessions for the current academic year are listed later in this section.  Check-in and registration for the ISL orientation always occurs on the first day of the orientation program and begins at 10 am in the ISL office (210 Memorial Hall).  Since the majority of the international students matriculate to UGA in the fall semester, the fall orientation is the most extensive orientation we provide. While fewer students attend the spring and summer orientations, they receive a more personal interaction with the staff and students at ISL.  The spring and summer international orientations sponsored by ISL are a one-day event and the fall orientation is a five-day program. 

Please note that international students are expected to attend all of the sessions for the entire ISL orientation!  Due to the extensive nature of the services provided during the fall orientation program, there is a $10 fee for the Fall International Student Orientation which is payable upon check-in at the ISL office.  At this time there is no fee for the spring or summer orientation sessions.

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History of ISL’s International Student Orientation: The Archway to UGA

The current international student orientation model was created by ISL in 2001 and is called The Archway to UGA.  At UGA, the Arch located on North campus is a very important symbol for the University in terms of its historical significance as the original gateway (or archway) for the campus.  ISL’s orientation is called The Archway to UGA because it serves as the primary means of access to the University of Georgia community for new and transfer international students.  ISL’s orientation program provides a unique opportunity for international students to get settled into life at UGA and Athens as well as create networks to help them be successful academically.  Since its inception, the ISL orientation has also become a national model for other international student orientation programs at various colleges and universities around the U.S.

Sample Orientation Schedules
Examples of ISL orientation schedules can be found by downloading sample orientation programs for the appropriate semester.  Please keep in mind that the orientation schedules posted here are a sample only – the final schedule will be given to all international students at the orientation Check-in at ISL. 

• Fall sample orientation schedule
• Spring and Summer sample orientation schedules

UGA Graduate Students
International Graduate students at UGA should plan to attend the following orientations:

• International Student Orientation (Sponsored by International Student Life: www.uga.edu/isl)
  
  

  • Fall Semester:  August 3-7, 2009

  • - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 5 pm
  • - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
  • - Complete orientation schedule given during Check-in at ISL

• • Spring Semester:  January 4, 2010
• - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 2 pm
• - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
• - Orientation session begins at 2:30 pm. 
• - Location for session given during Check-in / Registration at ISL

• • Summer Semester:  June 1, 2010
• - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 2pm
• - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
• - Orientation session begins at 2:30 pm
• - Location for session given during Check-in / Registration at ISL

• Graduate Student Orientation [www.grad.uga.edu] (Sponsored by the UGA Graduate School) Fall semester only

• Fall Semester:   August 12, 2009 (Check the Graduate School website for specific information concerning times and location)

• Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA) & Research Assistants Orientation: www.grad.uga.edu/ ] (Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning: www.isd.uga.edu/)  Fall semester only

• • Fall Semester:  August 13, 2009

• UGA Departmental Orientations (If applicable this orientation will be sponsored by your academic
department; check with them concerning specific dates and times.)

For more information please email us ugaisl@uga.edu or call ISL at (706) 542-5867.

International Undergraduate students at UGA should plan to attend the following orientations:

 

• International Student Orientation (Sponsored by International Student Life: www.uga.edu/isl)
• • Fall Semester:   August 3-7, 2009
• - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 5 pm
• - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
• - Complete orientation schedule given during Check-in at ISL
• • Spring Semester:  January 4, 2010
• - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 2 pm
• - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
• - Orientation session begins at 2:30 pm. 
• - Location for session given during Check-in / Registration at ISL
• • Summer Semester:     June 1, 2010
• - Check-in / Registration occurs from 10 am – 2pm
• - Come to the ISL office located in 210 Memorial Hall to register
• - Orientation session begins at 2:30 pm
• - Location for session given during Check-in / Registration at ISL
• Undergraduate Student Orientation www.admissions.uga.edu/orientation.html
  (Sponsored by the UGA Undergraduate Admissions office)
• • Fall Semester:               August 12, 2009
• • Spring Semester:           January TBA, 2010
• • Summer Semester:        June 4, 2010

For more information please email us ugaisl@uga.edu or call ISL at (706) 542-5867.

World Leaders

World Leaders are current UGA students who serve as the orientation leaders for the international student orientation sponsored by ISL.  These students are unpaid volunteers from various parts of the world and each has a common passion for serving others as well as a love for all things international.  Part of their responsibilities during the ISL orientation week include leading orientation sessions, helping students find housing, teaching UGA traditions and customs, planning and implementing all social activities for the week, as well as serving as a UGA student resource.  For more information about the World Leaders Program and/or to apply for this program, visit the World Leaders section of this website.

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Travel to Georgia

General Information

Once you decide to study at UGA you will need to plan to get your visa, arrange your flight to the U.S. as well as determine how you get to Athens, Georgia.  Do not make your flight arrangements to fly to the USA prior to getting your student visa from the embassy. Also, be sure to carry your immigration documents with you onto the plane! These documents are valuable and can be difficult and expensive to replace. Sometimes bags that are loaded into the plane can be lost between connections.  It is a good idea to make extra copies of your immigration documents and your passport before you leave home just in case they get lost or stolen during your travels. 

In preparing to travel you should be aware that there are many foods that cannot be carried into the USA. There are places in Athens and Atlanta where international students can purchase traditional foods. Please make certain that you don’t bring illegal food into the U.S. by mistake. If you are thinking about bringing food with you, please talk to your travel agent or airline concerning food or any other restrictions.

 

Georgia Bound Travel Newsletter

Concerning how best to travel to the University, the UGA Admissions office has included a helpful travel newsletter from ISL in your admissions packet called the Georgia Bound.  This document is a guide for new international students and contains information concerning international student orientation dates, travel information, hotel information, as well as contact information for various UGA offices and ISL student organizations.  If you did not receive a copy of the Georgia Bound you can download it from this website in pdf format.

ISL Pickup Information (Airport, Bus, Shuttle, etc.)
Athens PickUp Service

International Student Life (ISL) offers a pickup service from various locations in Athens for new international students. This service is offered by ISL free of charge.

Pick up Service for the Fall 2009 orientation will begin on Friday, July 31. All students wishing to use this service need to email Leigh Poole (lapoole@uga.edu) with the following information no less than TWO WEEKS in advance of their flight departure date:

Name
Contact information (email)
Arrival Date
Arrival Time
Arrival Location (Athens only)
(If you are flying into Athens, please also include your Airline, flight number, arrival date and arrival time, and if you are connecting from another city in the U.S.)

ISL can not guarantee pickup service for individuals who request a reservation with less than two weeks notice.

Students will be sent an email confirmation email for their Athens Pickup. If you have questions, contact Leigh Poole via email (lapoole@uga.edu) or by calling 706-542-5867.

Students who register for this service and who do not notify ISL staff of changes to their arrival schedules or cancellations in a timely fashion may be assessed a service charge (fee) for failure to cancel /inform ISL staff of changes to your travel plans.

Finally, you may want to contact one of our international student organizations here at UGA. Often times these groups can be quite helpful for new students when trying to allocate housing. If you will let us know which country you are from, we can provide you with the appropriate contact information.

Atlanta Airport Pickup Information
Unfortunately, if your final flight destination is Atlanta, GA, ISL will be unable to coordinate a pickup. Please plan to take the AAA Airport shuttle to Athens. (See the Traveling from Atlanta to Athens section of this website for more information regarding the AAA Airport shuttle.)

Sometimes, student members of the ISL international organizations can provide transportation from Atlanta to Athens. Please use email to contact and correspond with the President of an appropriate international student organization [student organization information pdf] to determine if Atlanta airport pick up is possible. Contact information and email addresses for ISL international organizations can be found within the student organizations section on the ISL website.

 

Immigration & Visa Information

The Office of International Education handles all immigration matters for international students and scholars at UGA.  Visit their website at www.uga.edu/oie for comprehensive information concerning the necessary paperwork, visa information and other materials you will need to have a successful entry to the United States for your course of study at UGA.  The telephone number for International Student, Scholar and Immigration Services (ISSIS) is 706-425-3154.

 

Travel to Athens or Atlanta, Georgia

To Athens

By car, Athens is approximately 80 miles (or 127 km) from Atlanta. There is no train service to Athens from the nearest major airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Therefore, students may wish to consider taking a connecting flight to fly into Athens Ben Epps airport. If you do fly to Athens, ISL offers a free Athens Pickup service for new and transfer international students. See the Athens Pickup section for more information concerning this free service.

To Atlanta

You may need to fly into Atlanta instead of Athens. Unfortunately, if you fly to Atlanta, ISL cannot coordinate pickup service at the Atlanta airport. However, there may be other options for students who are interested.  Visit the Atlanta Pickup section of this website for more information.   While some students from our international student organizations may be able to pick you up at the Atlanta airport, many of you will have to find transportation from Atlanta to Athens on your own.

 

Traveling from Atlanta to Athens

Students may choose to take the AAA Shuttle  www.aaaairportexpress.com, take the Greyhound Bus www.greyhound.com, or rent a car http://www.atlanta-airport.com (one-way) and drive from Atlanta to Athens.  The following details concerning each of the three options previously mentioned will help you determine the best way to arrive to UGA.  (ISL is providing the following information to you as a courtesy.  Information from any of the companies listed below is subject to change without notice.  Be sure to check websites and/or call to verify the following information.)

AAA Shuttle

The simplest method to get from the Atlanta airport to Athens is to take the AAA shuttle www.aaaairportexpress.com. The AAA shuttle carries 10-15 people from the Atlanta airport to Athens for $40 (one-way). The trip takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes and AAA travels 9 times per day between Atlanta and Athens.

For the most current information concerning the AAA Shuttle, it is best to visit their website before making travel plans at www.aaaairportexpress.com. Additionally, it is recommended that you book your AAA Shuttle seat in advance. If you are already in the continental USA call 1-800-354-7874 to reserve your seat. If you are outside of the USA, you can email AAA at aaaairportexpres@aol.com  If your email is not successful, your

travel agent may be able to reserve a seat for you or you may call the AAA Shuttle Service directly by telephone at the following number +USA 404-767-2000 or by dialing 1-800-354-7874.  Upon your arrival, you may pay for your ticket from the shuttle driver with cash or a major credit card.

We recommend that you book a time with AAA that will allow at least 2 hours after you land  before the shuttle leaves.  (Account one hour for delays and one hour for immigration control.)  For more information about the AAA shuttle, please visit the AAA Airport Express website.
 

After you have passed through immigration and picked up your luggage you should follow signs inside the airport to “Ground Transportation.” When you get outside the airport, follow the signs to “Non-Metro buses/shuttles” To be sure where to meet the shuttle, you should check the AAA Airport Express website before you leave on your flight.  The Atlanta airport may be under construction and the location for the shuttle may be changed accordingly.  You can also ask one of the airport attendants for help in finding the AAA Airport Express van to Athens before you leave the airport terminal.

The AAA shuttle drops passengers at various locations in Athens that are close to the University of Georgia campus. If you choose to stay in one of the following hotels, be sure to ask them for the student rate.  Six hotels that are close to the UGA Campus are as follows:
Foundry Park Inn
Courtyard by Marriott
Hilton Garden
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn
UGA Georgia Center

Visit the Housing section of this website for contact information including addresses for these hotels.

Greyhound

The Greyhound Flight Link is located at the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. It is located in the lower level of the North Terminal. Use the escalator down from the North Baggage Claim Area.  The number of buses that travel to Athens per day can vary, but is usually 1-2.  Check the Greyhound website http://www.greyhound.com/ for the most current information, schedules, and pricing.  You may also call Greyhound by dialing toll-free 1-888-287-6359 from any public telephone in the U.S. 

Tickets from the Atlanta airport to Athens can cost approximately $22 or more per passenger, one-way.  Prices listed are subject to change without notice. Check their website to verify. Greyhound may also have specific requirements concerning what time passengers need to arrive at the station in advance of the departure time. 

The Greyhound Station located in downtown Atlanta may also be another option for students. Check their website for more information concerning times, schedules, and hours of operation.  Keep in mind that you may need to take a taxi from the Atlanta airport to get to the downtown station, so you may not be saving money by choosing this option.  If you take a taxi, be sure to discuss the price in advance and make sure that the cab has a working meter.  If it does not, select another taxi with a functioning meter.

Rent a Car & Drive to Athens

Once you get to baggage claim at the Atlanta or Athens airport, there will be signs to direct you to rental agencies for cars.  There are a number of options to choose from (especially in Atlanta).  Be advised, however, that many of the car rental agencies have an age requirement for their customers.  They may also have certain regulations concerning driver’s licenses.  Be sure to check information on the internet about the company you wish to use before coming to the U.S. to be sure you have the appropriate documentation.  Also, be sure to rent the car one-way and not round trip – otherwise the rental agency will expect you to return the car to the Atlanta airport!  Visit the Atlanta airport website http://www.atlanta-airport.com (click on Ground Transportation and the Car Rental links) for information about the companies that have offices at the airport in Atlanta.

Directions to Athens from the Atlanta Airport:

1. Start by driving towards the AIRPORT EXIT on N TERMINAL PKWY toward Camp Creek PKWY                        0.8 miles
2. Take the I-85 NORTH ramp    0.5 miles
3. Merge on I-85 NORTH                       3.9 miles
4. Continue on I-75 NORTH/I-85 NORTH         7.4 miles
5. Continue on I-85 NORTH towards GREENVILLE      21.3 miles
6. Exit ATHENS/LAWRENCEVILLE onto GA-316 East            0.1 miles
7. Continue on GA-316 till it becomes EPPS BRIDGE ROAD. 
   (You will pass by Home Depot and then Walmart)            40.4 miles
8. Continue on EPPS BRIDGE ROAD till you have to merge RIGHT onto ATLANTA HWY (HWY 78) 3.0 miles
9. Continue on ATLANTA HWY / HWY 78 till it becomes BROAD STREET 3.0 miles
10. You have arrived in Downtown Athens 

Total Est. Time:  1 hour, 29 minutes     
Total Est. Distance:   80.64 miles

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