Frequently Asked Questions
What is an I-20?
What do I need to be issued an I-20?
What is a DS-2019?
Does the I-20 guarantee that I will get a visa?
Can I enter the U.S. on the I-20 of another university and then go to ISU instead of the university that issued the I-20?
Can I work while I am a student?
How much do I have to study to be successful?
What if my visa expires?
Can I study on a Tourist Visa?
What is SEVIS?
I would like to study at ISU but my TOEFL/IELTS score is not high enough. What can I do?
What is your TOEFL/IELTS minimum?
Do I need a GRE or GMAT for admission to graduate school?
Can I qualify for Federal Financial Aid?
Do you offer scholarships and assistantships?
Do you give application fee waivers?
What are the minimum grades/marks required for admission?
How long does it take to complete an undergraduate (bachelor) degree?
What if I run out of money while I am in the United States and cannot pay for my studies?
What is the weather like in Pocatello?
What is an I-20?
The I-20 is the document the university issues to you, which allows you to apply for an F-1 student visa.
What do I need to be issued an I-20?
You must be academically admitted to the university and have proven with official financial documents acceptable to the university that you can afford to pay for your studies in the United States.
What is a DS-2019?
The DS-2019 is a document issued to you by the university that allows you to apply for a J-1 visa. This is issued only to students on approved exchange programs.
Does the I-20 guarantee that I will get a visa?
The I-20 only allows you to apply for a visa but does not guarantee that you will get a visa. Visa approval rates vary from country to country. If the visa officer believes that your intent is to stay in the United States after you finish your studies, he or she must by law deny your request for a visa.
Can I enter the U.S. on the I-20 of another university and then go to ISU instead of the university that issued the I-20?
Only if the other university releases you to ISU and most universities require that you attend at least one semester before they release you. ISU does not release students who have not attended at least one semester at ISU.
Can I work while I am a student?
Yes, you can work but only on campus and no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session. You can work 40 hours during vacation periods. Most student jobs do not pay more than $ 5.85 to 9.00 per hour. That is not much money in the United States. YOU CANNOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO MEET ALL OF YOUR EXPENSES! Please note that international students do NOT qualify for federal “work-study” positions. These are jobs for US students or permanent residents only.
How much do I have to study to be successful?
Most undergraduate students take 4-5 classes per semester (15 credits). That means they need to go to class 15 hours per week and study at least 45 hours a week for those classes if they wish to be successful.
What if my visa expires?
A visa is just an entry document into the United States. It just allows you to present yourself at a port of entry and be considered for admission to the United States. What allows you to stay in the United States legally is your Form I-20, your I-94 card stamped D/S and valid passport. If your I-20 or passport expire while you are still a student, then you are out of status. A visa can expire long before you finish your studies.
Can I study on a Tourist Visa?
No. In addition, Idaho State University does not recommend that you try to change your status from B1/B2 to F1 because it will most likely be denied and you will not get your processing fee of $195 back, nor will you be allowed to attend school while you wait for the application to be processed.
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a database with which the U.S. government tracks foreign students’ and scholars' entry to and exit from the United States. It also tracks whether or not you are enrolled in school full time. Universities must regularly upload academic and address information regarding their students to SEVIS.
I would like to study at ISU but my TOEFL/IELTS score is not high enough. What can I do?
ISU offers conditional admission in most programs if you are willing to attend our English as a Second Language Program first.
What is your TOEFL/IELTS minimum?
- The minimum TOEFL for undergraduate admission is 500(paper)/173(computer), 61 iBT.
- The minimum IELTS score for undergraduate admission is 5.0
- The minimun IELTS score for graduate admission is 6.5
- The minimum TOEFL for graduate admission is 550(paper)/213(computer), 80 iBT, and some programs require a higher score. Please check with the program.
- ELS Level 112 completion is needed to be admitted to either undergraduate or graduate programs.
Do I need a GRE or GMAT for admission to graduate school?
Yes, with the exception of the Master of Fine Arts program, all graduate programs require a GRE score for unconditional admission. The MBA program requires a GMAT.
Can I qualify for Federal Financial Aid?
No, international students cannot get federal financial aid.
Do you offer scholarships and assistantships?
Yes. Please visit the scholarship link. Assistantships are offered in graduate school only. Please contact your department for more information.
Do you give application fee waivers?
No, we do not.
What are the minimum grades/marks required for admission?
- Undergraduate 2.0 on scale of 4.0
- Graduate 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
How long does it take to complete an undergraduate (bachelor) degree?
You must complete at least 128 credits to get a bachelor degree and that takes 4-5 years.
What if I run out of money while I am in the United States and cannot pay for my studies?
You will need to return home until you have enough money to come back. The university cannot enroll you if you cannot pay your fees. You must be enrolled in school full time to be considered in legal status.
What is the weather like in Pocatello?
The weather in Pocatello is moderately continental. There is very little rainfall. That means summers are warm to hot and dry while winters are moderatley cold and at times snowy. The mean temperature for January is 24 F (-4 C) and the mean temperature for July is 71 F (22 C). The average low temperature for January is 14 F (-10 C). The average high temperature for July is 88 F (31 C). Both warm and light clothing are needed. If you come from a very warm climate, it might be advisable to buy your warm clothing here instead of at home as the appropriate type of clothing might be more readily available here.
For more weather information please visit the following links:
- http://countrystudies.us/united-states/weather/idaho/pocatello.htm
- http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm (temperature convertor)
Things to Remember
- Admission Requirements (Undergraduate / Transfer / Graduate)
- Applications
Apply Online
Undergraduate Application Form
Undergraduate Majors List
Graduate Application Form - Application Deadline
- Application CheckList
- TOEFL/IELTS
- ESL
- Financial Support Declaration
- Find an Education USA center near you.
- FAQs
- All educational documents submitted become the property of the university and cannot be returned.