iStart Tutorial Office of International Education (OIE) Fall 2011

What is iStart? On June 16, 2011, OIE began using a new paperless database system called iStart. iStart will provide the campus with an easier and more efficient means of case management; governmental reporting compliance; and online services and electronic forms (E-forms)

Who will use iStart? The following users will have access to iStart: International students (F and J visa type) The Office of International Education Academic Departments (Graduate Coordinators/Academic Advisors) iStart will store information on all F-1 visa holders in addition to the following visa types within Georgia Tech: J, B, E3, H1b, TN, O, and PR

What does iStart look like? iStart is an application accessible via an internet browser. To launch iStart, click on the link within OIEs website: oie.gatech.edu/isss/istart

How does iStart work? After Student meets with Program Department, the student can submit an E- Form using iStart Student logs into Full Client Services using their GT username and Log in to access the E-Forms available

How will iStart be used? F-1 students can submit an online request via an E-form for the following updates to their I-20: Academic Reduced Course Load Change of Degree level Graduate Change of Major Financial Statement Update Graduate Program Extension Request Dependent Undergraduate Change of Major Undergraduate Program Extension

Undergraduate Change in Major Process Undergraduate F-1 students will complete the Registrars Change of Major Paper Form and bring it to OIE. OIE is now a required signature on that form When the Registrar processes the change in Banner, the student gets an automatic requesting them to complete the Change of Major E-form within iStart. Undergraduate Change of Major E-form Student will complete all required questions and submit the E-form.

Undergraduate Change in Major Process cont. Undergraduate Change of Major E-form Student will complete all required questions and submit the E-form. If the student needs additional time to complete the new major, they will be asked to complete the Undergraduate Program Extension E-form.

Undergraduate Program Extension E-form If an F-1 undergraduate student requires more time to complete their program of student, they need to apply for a Program Extension The next few slides will contain an example of the Undergraduate Program Extension E-form Financials quotes and documentation are provided and checked by OIE Example Academic Advisor: Gwen Fernandes

iStart Example cont… Student will complete all required questions and submit the E- form. The E-form will generate an to the Academic Advisor based on the contact information provided within

iStart Example cont… provides quick view information about student and the type of update that is being requested As the second approver for the request, Graduate Coordinator/ Academic Advisor will click on link provided within iStart to review and provide additional information on the request.

iStart Example cont… Username and password will already be provided by iStart to approve the E- form request Clicking on the link within the directs Academic Advisor to log in via the internet browser

iStart Example cont… The Academic Advisor can review the information on the E-form submitted by the student by clicking on the link at the top of Second Approver Page

Transition to iStart The transition from paper forms to E-forms occurred on June 16, – OIE will continue to work with students and with program departments during this transition period and for the next few months as we all function within the new database system. – The following updates can be requested via an E-form from June 16 onwards: Academic Reduced Course Load Change of Degree level Graduate Change of Major Financial Statement Update Graduate Program Extension Request Dependent Undergraduate Change of Major Undergraduate Program Extension – It is our hope that in the future we will add more E-forms to this list, when we do we will update you with those changes. OIE appreciates your continued assistance to our office and to the international students at Georgia Tech.

Questions and Training OIE hosted a training session for Program Departments interested in learning more about iStart – Training slides are posted to OIEs website. OIE posted a Frequently Asked Questions sheet within our website on for each of the E-forms and for iStart in general. If any additional questions arise, please Gwen Fernandes at