New Student Information | International Programs & Services| Idaho State University

New Students - Welcome to ISU!

We look forward to your arrival. The International Programs Office will assist you beginning with the processing of your I-20 through arrival and orientation. The following information will help you successfully transition into ISU.

Obtaining an I-20
Arrival Information
Academic Notes
Medical Requirements
Contact Information for IPO
Other Helpful Information

Obtaining an I-20

All international students applying for an F-1 student visa will need an I-20. The International Prgorams Office (IPO) processes your I-20 after you have been admitted to the university. In order to obtain an I-20, international students are required to show funding available for the first year of study. Any financial documentation submitted with your application to the university is forwarded to our office. The I-20 is then processed and then sent to your mailing address along with your admission letter.

Note: The I-20 will be sent to the home address provided on your application. If you have a different address you would like it sent to, then please let us know by sending an email to ipomail@isu.edu.

Financial Documents

ISU has estimated the yearly expenses which can be found at http://www.isu.edu/iso/cost.shtml. Currently, the total estimate is $22,894 USD for graduate students and $22,014 USD for undergraduate students. You must provide with your application to ISU proof of funding at the applicable minimum estimate.

The following documents are required as proof of funding:

The Declaration of Financial Support Form is required.
If you are self-funded or sponsored by another individual, a bank document (letter or account statement) is required.
- The document must be current. It must be dated within 6 months of requesting the I-20.
- The document must be official or certified as true copies . It must be on bank letterhead and signed or stamped by a bank official. Electronic copies will not be accepted!
- The document must contain the amount of funds available. Cash, Certificates of Deposit and savings are acceptable types of funds. Non-liquid assets cannot be used.
- The document must indicate the type of currency of the funds.
- Any financial documents will be returned to you with the mailing of your I-20 to enable you to use it for your visa interview.
ISU may provide funding in the form of assistantships or scholarships. If you have been offered an award by ISU, please provide us a copy of your award letter/contract or let us know so we can obtain the necessary confirmation from the appropriate ISU department.

In-Country Transfer Students

If you are transferring from another U.S. institution to ISU, the following document(s) are required and must be submitted with your application before an I-20 can be issued to you:

Transfer of I-20/DS-2019 Form . This form must be completed by you and your current International Student Advisor. Your I-20 will be created upon receipt of your SEVIS record on the date indicated on this Form.
A copy of your current I-20
A copy of the picture page of your passport
A copy of your visa stamp
A copy of the front and back of your I-94 card

Arrival

Once you have received your I-20 or DS-2019, please follow these steps to ensure a successful beginning at ISU. For current cost information, go to http://www.isu.edu/iso/cost.shtml. If you need to transfer funds to ISU electronically, please fax the ISU Electronic Funds Form to the accounting office. Instructions are included on the form.

Classes Begin: January 11, 2010
Classe End: April 28, 2010
Final Exams: May 1 - 8, 2010

OFFICIAL ARRIVAL DATE: January 3 - 4, 2010

Step 1
Pay the SEVIS Fee

Click here for more information about how to pay the SEVIS fee. Pay the SEVIS fee online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/.

Step 2
Apply for F-1 or J-1 visa

General suggestions on how to apply for a visa
Steps to obtaining an F-1 visa

NOTE TO CANADIAN STUDENTS: Students from Canada are not required to appear for a visa interview. Skip this step.

Step 3
Make your Housing Arrangements

Off campus housing: You may choose to live off campus and make those arrangements before of after arrival. Keep in mind that if you do not have prior arrangements and cannot find off campus housing upon arrival, on-campus housing will be very limited at that point.
On campus housing: On campus housing fills up quickly so please reserve your housing online at http://www.isu.edu/housing/application_housing.shtml

Click here for more information on housing.

Step 4
Send the Travel Details Form

Please fax or email the Travel Details Form to the International Programs Office as soon as you know what your travel plans are.

Fax: 001-208-282-2924
Email: ipomail@isu.edu

Click here to download the form.

CLICK HERE for OTHER IMPORTANT TRAVEL DETAILS!

Step 5
Pack!

Academic Notes

Please note that Idaho State University has a mandatory advising policy for all undergraduate students. You may go through this session upon arrival or you may go through it online at http://www.isu.edu/advising/madvising.shtml. Graduate students must meet with an academic advisor in their department in order to plan each semester’s schedule. All incoming freshmen (first year university students) are required to take the math and English placement exams ($5.00 per exam) unless they have SAT or ACT scores before registering for math and English classes. More information about these placement exams will be given to you during the registration period.

Academic information useful to students:

Number of classes student takes per term: 4-5 (undergraduate); 3-4 (graduate)
Number of credit hours per week required for F-1 and J-1 visa holders: 12 (undergraduate); 9 (graduate). 1 credit = 50 minutes of instruction time per week.
Number of weeks per term: 16

Medical Requirements/Health Services

Idaho State University students are not required to show proof of immunizations. Proof of immunizations are not required for international students at this time . However,we STONGLY RECOMMEND Hepatitis A&B and TB vaccinations and suggest that you walk with your immunization records and a copy of your medical history for emergency purposes.

Medical Insurance: All students are required to have medical coverage insurance and are automatically enrolled in and billed for the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This coverage costs approximately $578 a semester. International students who provide proof of continuous enrollment in an alternative health insurance plan that meets the waiver requirements are able to waive the SHIP coverage. Visit http://www.isu.edu/stuhlth/insurance/index.shtml for more information.

Where students should go if they are in need of medical attention:
Go to the University Student Health Center at 990 Cesar Chavez Ave. (across from the Student Union Buidling). Make an appointment if possible by calling 208-282-2330. For after hours or emergency medical problems, go to Portneuf Medical Center, 651 Memorial Drive, 239-1000 (next to campus across from Garrison/Turner Housing Complex).

EMERGENCIES

For on campus emergencies, dial 2515 from any campus phone.
For off campus emergencies, dial 911 from any phone, including pay phones (it is free).

If you dial 911, and are not able to speak to an operator, an emergency team will be dispatched to the address of that phone. Do not dial 911 as a joke; you can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail.