Emotional Support Animals at Georgia State University: A Student Guide

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide vital support for students managing mental health conditions, stress, or anxiety. At Georgia State University (GSU), students living in on-campus housing can request ESA accommodations through the Access & Accommodations Center (AACE), ensuring compliance with university policies while promoting student well-being.

ESA Policy at GSU

GSU requires students seeking to have an ESA in on-campus housing to follow a structured process. Students must:

• Submit documentation annually from a licensed mental health professional verifying the need for an ESA.

• Complete an Assistive Animal Residential Contract, which outlines housing rules and responsibilities for the ESA.

Only after completing both steps will the ESA be permitted in campus housing. GSU’s policy ensures that students receive necessary support while maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment for all residents.

How to Request an ESA at GSU

1. Contact the Access & Accommodations Center (AACE)

   • The AACE manages all ESA requests and coordinates housing accommodations.

   • Official contact: GSU Access & Accommodations Center

2. Submit Required Documentation

   • A letter from a licensed mental health professional outlining the student’s disability and the therapeutic need for an ESA.

   • Any additional forms required by AACE, including vaccination records and care details for the animal.

3. Complete the Assistive Animal Residential Contract

   • This contract covers the student’s responsibilities for the ESA, rules for housing, and liability for any damages caused by the animal.

4. Receive Approval

   • Once the documentation and contract are approved, the ESA is officially permitted in the student’s assigned residence.

Responsibilities and Guidelines for Students

• ESAs are limited to the student’s residence unit and are not allowed in other campus buildings.

• Students must ensure the ESA is well-behaved, clean, and properly cared for.

• Any housing damage or issues caused by the ESA are the student’s responsibility.

Benefits of Having an ESA on Campus

• Mental Health Support: ESAs can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, improving academic performance and well-being.

• Emotional Stability: ESAs help students manage challenging situations such as exams, projects, or personal crises.

• Promotes Responsibility: Caring for an ESA encourages personal responsibility and time management.

A Step-by-Step Timeline for GSU Students

Because GSU asks for documentation every year and a signed Assistive Animal Residential Contract before your ESA can move in, timing matters. A simple plan keeps you from scrambling during move-in week.

Before you apply for housing

Decide whether you'll request an ESA for the coming year. If you will, start gathering documentation right away. You'll need a letter from a licensed mental health professional that explains your disability-related need for the animal.

When you contact AACE

Reach out to the Access & Accommodations Center as early as you can. Ask which forms apply to you, including any vaccination records and care details AACE requests for the animal. Keep a list of what you've submitted and when.

After documentation is reviewed

Read the Assistive Animal Residential Contract carefully before you sign it. It sets out your responsibilities, the housing rules for your animal, and your liability for any damage. Ask AACE about anything that isn't clear.

Before move-in

Wait for written confirmation that your ESA is approved for your assigned residence. Bringing the animal before approval can cause problems with Housing and with your accommodation request.

Every year

Set a reminder to renew your documentation each year. Starting the renewal early in the spring helps avoid gaps if you plan to keep your ESA on campus.

What a Strong ESA Letter Includes

AACE reviews your documentation to confirm the need for an accommodation. A clear letter usually includes:

• A statement that you have a mental or emotional disability (the diagnosis itself doesn't need to be detailed).

• An explanation of how the animal helps with your symptoms.

• The provider's name, license type, license number and state, and the date.

Letters that are vague, out of date or missing license details are more likely to be sent back for more information.

Sharing a Residence With an ESA

Your ESA lives in your residence unit, so roommates and suitemates are part of the picture. Talk with them early, especially about allergies, and agree on how shared spaces will work. Keep the animal clean and quiet, handle waste promptly, and never leave it unsupervised for long periods. Good habits make it much less likely that a complaint puts your accommodation at risk.

If Something Changes Mid-Year

Plans change. If you switch residence halls, get a new roommate, or need to bring a different animal, contact AACE before making the change. An approval covers a specific animal and housing assignment, so updating AACE early helps keep your accommodation in place without interruption.

ESA or Service Animal?

An ESA supports you through companionship and does not need task training, which is why GSU limits ESAs to your residence. A service animal is trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability and is generally treated differently on campus. If your dog is task-trained, ask AACE which policy applies.

Getting Your ESA Letter

A valid ESA letter must come from a licensed clinician who has evaluated your needs. At PetCerts, evaluations are done by licensed human clinicians, not AI. If an ESA is appropriate for you, you receive a letter you can submit to AACE. Approval is always the university's decision, so no provider can promise GSU will accept a specific request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who handles ESA requests at Georgia State?

The Access & Accommodations Center (AACE) manages ESA requests and coordinates the accommodation with housing.

Do I have to resubmit documentation every year?

Yes. GSU requires ESA documentation from a licensed mental health professional annually.

What is the Assistive Animal Residential Contract?

It's the agreement that sets out your responsibilities, the housing rules for your ESA, and your liability for damage. It must be completed before the ESA is permitted in campus housing.

Can my ESA go to class with me?

No. ESAs at GSU are limited to your residence unit and are not allowed in other campus buildings.

Getting an ESA letter in Georgia? See Georgia ESA letter details or browse all states.