Admitted International Graduate and Professional Students

• Your I-20 is the document you will need to be able to apply for an F-1 student visa. As soon as you receive your NSU acceptance you should submit the I-20 Process Form and all required documents. Required documents:
  • Completed I-20 Process Form
    Please download, print, and complete the International Student I-20 Process Form and submit it along with all other required documents. Please take the utmost care in completing the form accurately in order to avoid mistakes or delays.
  • Copy of Biographical Page of Your Passport
  • Financial Statement
    The financial statement should be a bank statement or a bank letter (prepared by a bank official on the bank’s letterhead).
    The Office of International Students and Scholars will give you the information on the amount that you will need to show on your financial statement for I-20 purposes. This amount will be the equivalent of ONE year of tuition and ONE year of living expenses. Contact our office for this specific information at intl@nova.edu.
    If the funds are not in your name (personal funds), you must provide a Sponsorship Form for each sponsor who has provided his/her bank statement in support of your expenses.
    For information on the total cost of your program, please contact your program directly. Click here to find your program's contact information.
  • Foreign Address and Phone Number (address in your home country)
  • Transfer Authorization Form (only if you are a transfer student from another U.S. university)
    

• I-20s will be shipped within seven business days once all required documentation is received.  For additional information see Requirements for Obtaining an I-20.
  • NOTE:  Due to COVID-19, all I-20s are currently being issued with digital signatures and delivered by email only.  This practice is in alignment with information provided by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).  Students should print the emailed I-20 to have available with them for their visa appointments and in their carry-on (hand) luggage when they travel into the U.S.

• Once you receive your I-20 you must apply for your F-1 visa. Obtaining an F-1 student visa can take several weeks or even longer, depending on your home country.
  • NOTE:  On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of State announced that all routine visa services around the world would be temporarily suspended.  Please visit www.nova.edu/internationalaffairs/covid19 for additional information on COVID-19 implications for F-1 students.  Students are strongly encouraged to review the posted webinar recordings and contact intl@nova.edu if they have any concerns.   

• Individuals who come to the United States to study must apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

• NSU requires that all students communicate via their NSU email address. Your NSU email address is your NSU username + @mynsu.nova.edu (example username[at]mynsu.nova.edu). 
  • Retrieve Your Username (You will need your NSU ID#)
  • Set Your Password
  • If you need assistance with this process please contact the NSU Help Desk at +1 (954) 262-4357 or help@nova.edu.

• Contact your admissions advisor or program advisor for information on registering for classes.  Utilize the full list of NSU's Academic Programs to identify contact information for your program.  
  • Many courses fill very quickly so students should contact their advisor very soon after they receive their NSU acceptance.
• All students must complete the Student Enrollment Agreement (SEA) in order to register for classes. The SEA requires students to agree with NSU standards and policies. 
  • View a copy of the SEA
  • SEA FAQs

We understand how difficult it can be to move to another country or join a university as a new student. The Office of International Students and Scholars will be happy to point you to resources that can make your transition to your new environment easier. Our staff is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may call our office at (954) 262-7240 or drop us an email at intl@nova.edu.

Please remember that it is the student's responsibility to secure housing for the duration of his or her stay here at Nova Southeastern University.

To assist you in your search for permanent housing, please visit the following NSU Office of Residential Life and Housing web pages:

• ON CAMPUS HOUSING
  • Living on campus is part of the full U.S. American university experience! All F-1 international students with less than 49 credits will be required to live on campus unless they are residing with a parent or legal guardian within Broward, Dade, or Palm Beach county, are married or in a domestic partnership, or are 25 years or older. 
    • Housing Information
    • Housing Application Process
    • Housing FAQ
    • Housing Check-In Information

• OFF CAMPUS HOUSING
  • Students who meet the requirements to live off-campus may find resources for securing housing from Off-Campus Housing Services.
  • Resource: International Student Rental Policies by Local Housing Partners (excel) - Use this spreadsheet to determine the policies NSU's local apartment complex partners have for renting to international students, especially those without Social Security Numbers SSN.

• Resource: International Student Rental Policies by Local Housing Partners (excel) - Use this spreadsheet to determine the policies NSU's local apartment complex partners have for renting to international students, especially those without Social Security Numbers SSN.

• Contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing
  Maps and directions, contact information, request additional housing information.

• HEALTH INSURANCE
  • All NSU students are automatically enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan and your student account will be charged accordingly.  If you are insured under another insurance plan, you must opt out of the NSU Student Health Insurance plan each academic year by the given waiver deadline.  Please review the following pages for additional information.  Questions about the NSU Student Health Insurance should be directed to studenthealth@nova.edu. 
    • Health Insurance Information
    • Waiver Information
    • Waiver Deadlines

• IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
  • All students living on campus must submit their immunization records to housing@nova.edu.  Students will not be permitted to move into their on-campus housing unless immunization records are received. 

• PAY YOUR NSU BILL
  • Payment for NSU student account charges is due in full at the time of registration.  Students will not be able to check-in to the Residence Life and Housing halls until all requirements to satisfy outstanding student account balances have been fulfilled.  Students may view their student account status including account balance, charges, payments, and financial aid awards in SharkLink.
    • Student Billing Accounts
    • Payment Policy
    • Payment Options

• SUBMIT FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
  • As soon your final, official transcripts are available, have them mailed to:

International Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming international students.  

Please visit the International Student Orientation page for additional information.

All F-1 students on initial NSU I-20's must complete the F-1 Check-In process in order to have their SEVIS records registered and activated. Students who failed to complete the F-1 Check-In process will have their SEVIS record and immigration status terminated. This is a U.S. immigration requirement and no exceptions can be made. 

Initial students include: 

• Students who are starting a new program at NSU 
  • First time NSU students 
  • Continuing NSU students starting a new academic program
• Students who have transferred from another university 
• Students who have been issued a new initial I-20 after an interruption in their interruption in their status and/or studies (termination, leave of absence, etc.) 

Important: 

Students who fail to submit the F-1 Check-In Form by the deadline will have their SEVIS record terminated. Once a SEVIS record had been terminated, the only option is for the students to leave the country and re-enter with a new I-20 or file for reinstatement. 

To complete your F-1 Check-In , you email intl@nova.edu the following documents and information: 

• Biographical page of your passport 
• Copy of the first page of your NSU I-20 
  • Copies of the first page of each F-2 dependent I-20, if applicable 
• I-94, printed form  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov  click on "Get most Recent I-94"
• Copy of F-1 visa (except students from Canada or Bermuda)
  • If you obtained your F-1 status through the change of status process, please submit the I-797 Notice of Action indicating your Change of Status to F-1 was approved. 
• Proof of your $350 SEVIS Fee payment, printed from https://www.fmjfee.com click "Check I-901 Fee Status"
• F-1 Students Responsibility Acknowledgement (signed) https://www.nova.edu/internationalaffairs/students/prospective/F1-Student-Responsibility-Acknowledgement.pdf 
• Your current local US Address. This is the address where you willing be living. 

Processing Time: 

• Your SEVIS record will be activated approximately 5-7 business days after you submit your F-1 Check-In Documents. 
• SEVIS activations must be completed 24-72 hours before students are able to apply for a Social Security Number or Driver License. 

Deadlines: 

• Students with an INITIAL ATTENDANCE or CHANGE OF EDUCATION LEVEL I-20: The F-1 Check-In must be completed no later than 10 day after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20. 
• Students with a TRANSFER PENDING I-20: The F-1 Check-In must be completed no later than 10 days after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20.
• Students with a CHANGE OF STATUS I-20: Do not submit the form until your Change Of Status has been approved. Once approved, the F-1 Check-In Form must be submitted no later than 10 days after the start of the program start date, as listed on your valid NSU I-20.