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Northwest Missouri State University

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Future International Students

Understanding Your I-20

 

Now that you have applied, have been accepted, and now have your I-20 in front of you, you have further work to do. We are aware that students may be confused at this point. Here are some I-20 instructions and notes so you can understand this important document and how to use it to get your F-1 student visa.

  1. (Make sure all the information on your I-20 is correct. If not, notify the Data Specialist at KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu with the necessary corrections as soon as possible. If all information is correct, then (above the line) print your name, sign and date in the right place at the bottom of the I-20.
  2. Item 5 of your I-20 is the student arrival date at the airport to meet IIC staff. Meeting our staff at the airport on January 7, 2009 is exactly the right time to arrive at Northwest. Arriving earlier is not advised, as we offer no campus services prior to the arrival date and you can not arrive past the date in Item 5. The completion date of 01/07/2013 is your estimated graduation date and it is the date the I-20 expires. You can change this date to meet your actual date after you arrive.
  3. In Item 7 of your I-20 you will find the estimated cost of tuition, living expenses, insurance and travel/personal costs. The insurance is $655 and embedded in the personal cost. Medical Insurance is required for all students. Tuition is an estimate based on current tuition fees. Tuition fees may be different than this total. This situation usually occurs for students arriving in fall since the tuition rates are changed in July of each year. Living expenses are based on 12 months in our residence halls at the current cost for housing. Graduate students may live on or off campus. First time students in Bachelor programs under the age of 21 must live on campus for one academic year. (i.e.  Fall and Spring semesters = 1 year) Graduate students, transfer students from other American schools with one year of residential experience are not required to live on campus. Actual living costs may vary, but you will need to prove to the US Embassy/Consulate that you can cover these estimated costs. NOTE: Actual costs on page 10 are realistic estimates. I-20 costs are set with a formula by the financial office and can not be adjusted to estimated totals.
  4. Your I-20 does not guarantee that you will receive a visa. The decision of the US Embassy or Consulate is separate from our admission criteria.
  5. Please bring your I-20, this packet, your I-94 card, your passport, and all documents you receive from us with you to Northwest.

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Planning Your Visa Interview Process

 

"I treat visa officers like dentists. A possibly painful but beneficial appointment you must attend."  -Jeffrey Foot

The F-1 Non-immigrant Student Visa lets you enter the USA to pursue a full course of study in many different fields. You must go to a United States Embassy or Consulate in your home country to get this document stamped in your passport.

Note: Canadians are not required to have a visa, but must present their I-20 to the first US immigration or “customs” officer they meet. Each time Canadians enter the US to study, they must resist the urge to merely enter to visit. Canadians or any other students entering on tourist visas will be required to return to the port of entry to enter on their student visa.

1. The basic steps to get an F-1 student visa include

  1. Obtaining acceptance and resulting I-20 from a SEVIS approved college or university in the USA
    1. (Northwest is SEVIS approved for F-1 I-20 production. You should have those in your hands before continuing to #2)
  2. Paying the I-901 payment and printing receipt
  3. Gathering documents needed for F-1 visa
  4. Arranging appointment at US Embassy/Consulate in your country
  5. Face to face visa interview – decision made yes or no by US Embassy/Consulate

2. Paying the I-901 payment and printing receipt

U.S. law requires all students to pay for the SEVIS system. You will need to follow the instructions below and on the I-901 website to pay for and file the I-901 form.

To Receive I-901 Fee Payment Receipt (for your visa interview)

For fastest results:

  1. Go to I-901 Fee payment website 
  2. Follow instructions to pay the fee on-line. (You will need a credit card.)
  3. Fill in the blanks on the website.
  4. Choose the $30.00 Express Mail option if you feel you need the original expressly but it not needed for the visa application.
  5. Pay $100.00 SEVIS Fee (I-901) using a credit card.
  6. Print the receipt after payment to take to the visa interview at least 72 hours before your appointment.
  7. Use original receipt mailed by US Government for your visa interview if possible but not required.

Note: Payment of the fee is non-refundable even if you are denied a visa to the U.S. 

 

3. Gathering documents needed for F-1 visa

  1. Get a Passport if you do not have one. Make sure it is a new one that is computer readable and that your Family name and Given name are on separate lines.
    Taken from Non-Immigrant Visas on October 1, 2008:
    “To process your visa cases efficiently, we recommend your surname and the given name are written separately on the first page (the biographic data page) of your passport.
                            Example:
                            Surname (last name): Wesley
                            Given name (first name): John Edward”
  2. A SEVIS Form I-20 for the F-1 visa (SEVIS I-20 have a barcode in the  top right hand corner)
    Your Northwest Missouri State University acceptance letter
  3. I-901 fee receipt
  4. Certified evidence of financial support for your education and other expenses
  5. Two passport size photos
  6. Non-immigrant visa application forms (DS-156, 7, 8 etc. varies by gender and country)
  7. Visa fee in the currency accepted by the US consulate/embassy
  8. Transcripts of your previous education including any relevant test scores you used for admission to Northwest including TOEFL or IELTS, GMAT or GRE scores
NOTE: This list is not exhaustive and some US Embassies/Consulates may require other documents. Be sure to verify what is needed in your country.

 

 

4. Arranging appointment at US Embassy/Consulate in your country

Make an appointment for a visa interview at US Embassy or Consulate online.

  1. You can find the right place for your visa interview at U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions.
  2. Go to the “Visas to the US” section of the website and follow the directions for a Non immigrant student visa. Each country has different procedures so please follow the directions to make the interview carefully.

     

5. Face to face visa interview – decision made yes or no by US Embassy/Consulate

Take the following items to the American Embassy/Consulate nearest to you. Original copy of:

  1. A current valid passport
  2. A SEVIS Form I-20 for the F-1 visa (SEVIS I-20 have a barcode in the  top right hand corner) Your Northwest Missouri State University acceptance letter 
  3. I-901 fee receipt
  4. Certified evidence of financial support for your education and other expenses
  5. Two passport size photos 
  6. Non-immigrant visa application forms (DS-156, 7, 8 etc. varies by gender and country)
  7. Visa fee in the currency accepted by the US consulate/embassy
  8. Transcripts of your previous education
    TOEFL or IELTS, GMAT or GRE score sheets

Follow the directions the Embassy gives you and be patient. Remember when applying for the F-1 Student Visa that you are applying for a NON - IMMIGRANT visa to enter the USA to study and your intentions are to return to your home after graduation. Be polite, but remember this is not a life or death situation so relax and be calm. Nervous, overanxious to live in the USA, or unsure of your educational plan = rejection.

*Note* If you are rejected for a visa, be calm and ask the reason specifically. Be ready to write down a code like 214(b) or 221 (g). This happens to many students, please see section below dealing with this situation.

*Note* - If you are approved for an F-1 visa, PLEASE check your visa for mistakes (i.e. name misspelled or does not match your name in the passport). Do not be scared to tell the officer if there is a mistake. If you do not do this, it will result in problems in future dealings with other American government offices here.

 
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After Getting Your Visa

 

I HAVE MY VISA!
Now prepare documents found in the Acceptance Booklet

  1. All first time freshman (year 1 of Bachelors Degree) students under 21 years old are required to live in the residential halls on the Northwest Missouri State University campus.
    1. Complete your Residential Life Form and mail it with cashiers check.
    2. Also send your Residential Life Form to IIC Office
           fax: 660.562.1546
           e-mail: scanned copies to KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu
  2. All other students (including Master’s students) have two options for housing.
    1. Option A: Live on campus in Residence Halls (Follow application procedure in #1)
    2. Option B: Live off campus
      1. (Preferred arrival plan) If you arrive on the date specified on your I-20 in #5 or in the remarks section you will be met at your arrival gate at MCI by IIC Staff, given a place to sleep for one night, and assisted with an apartment search the following day during orientation.
      2. If you arrive earlier (not recommended – see Plan Your Trip section below), a contracted shuttle service will meet you at MCI and take you to a local hotel if you have given us your travel information. You will then be required to arrange your own housing.)
  3. On Campus will have a room reserved for them prior to arrival. You will be taken to your room by IIC staff. Off campus students will need to arrange their own housing and will be taken to a hotel ($60 per room) if no housing is pre-arranged.
  4. Complete and send your Health Form (Required for all new students)
    1. Also send your Health Form (located in Residential Life booklet) to the IIC Office
           fax: 660.562.1546
           e-mail scanned copies: KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu
    2. You may not enroll without taking the TB test at Northwest’s Health Center. The Health Center will administer the TB test for you during orientation. Please do not take the MMR series within six (6) weeks before arrival because this will not allow you to get the TB test during orientation.
  5. Visit: Predeparture Information for more information about traveling to the USA. You should make an appointment with this office to ask general questions.

If you did not receive your VISA/Admissions Defferal

 

We understand how terrible this feels. Unfortunately you are not alone. If you think you can present different evidence to grant you a visa for a later admission date, then you may wish to defer your attendance at Northwest Missouri State University to allow for your next visa appointment. To do this, contact the Admissions Office in writing at (AHENG@nwmissouri.edu). Please include your name, what session you want to defer your attendance and the address in which to send the new I-20. Upon approval, a new updated I-20 will be sent to you with the new attendance dates. 

There is a $35 deferral charge and this fee must be paid before the I-20 is sent to you again. See below for the instructions for paying the deferral charge.

To transfer money to pay deferral fee, wire $35.00 USD to:

Wire $35.00 USD to

Citizen’s Bank & Trust of Chillicothe
PO Box 50
Chillicothe, MO 64601

Credit to

First Bank of Maryville
ABA#101901396
Account# 540757

Local Funds account for Northwest Missouri State University - IIC. Be sure to give your full name.

 

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Plan Your Trip

 

Arrivals past 08/20/2008 are not permitted.

Please arrive during the following days – there is no advantage or cost saving by coming early, but you must NOT arrive AFTER these days.

Trimester Master Students
Arrival Date		 Esl, Bachelor and Exchange
Students Arrival Date
Spring 2009 January 7 January 8
Summer 2009

Contact the IIC

Fall 2009 August 25 August 26
Spring 2010 January 6 January 7
Summer 2010

Contact the IIC

Contact your travel agent and buy tickets to arrive in Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. This is the nearest airport to the University. The airport code is MCI.

Note: Arrival day is Wednesday August 20, 2008 for Undergraduate students
(Bachelors, ESL and Exchange). If you are coming with a graduate student, please arrive on the 19th. Bus leaves at 10 PM; plan accordingly.

Airport Pick up Cost

Jeffrey Foot Suggests...

IMPORTANT! Buy any tickets to the USA at least two weeks before you plan to travel and then let Kathleen Baudino know the complete itinerary (KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu). There are 90 arrival doors at MCI, not one door like in many airports you may have seen. Please tell us your flight number and airline name into MCI or it will be impossible to meet you.

If we miss you at the gate, you arrive late, or on another flight, take a Red Inter-terminal bus to Terminal C, Gate 89 on the arrival days. We will have staff there all day until the bus leaves at 1000 PM each of those days. Go to KCI Interactive Airport Map to see the map of the airport.

From Africa: The best European hub is Amsterdam (AMS) or Brussels (BRU). From there fly to Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP) or Memphis (MEM) on Northwest Airlines and connect to MCI. If this is too costly and you must use Heathrow at least avoid the East Coast of the USA; it is too busy and has slow immigration lines. Arrive in Chicago on British Airways or American Airlines from many points in Europe.

From East Asia: You can fly direct to Chicago (ORD), Minneapolis (MSP), Detroit (DTW), or Dallas(DFW) and connect to MCI.

From India: Delhi to Chicago (ORD) direct. Delhi to Toronto (YYZ) is OK, too but you need a visa. Avoid Europe, try to connect through East Asia. Connections, cost, and service are much better than European or American carriers through Europe. Try Delhi, Shanghai (PVG) on China Eastern Airlines and then direct to Chicago on American Airlines. Korean Airlines is another option through Seoul (ICN). Once you arrive in USA, connect to MCI.

From Middle East: Dubai to New York (JFK) is OK, but JFK is busy. See advice in Africa section.

From North America:

  1. Anywhere in Mexico to Dallas (DFW) is best. Houston is busy and not nice, but there are lots of flights to there and connecting to MCI.
  2. From Canada, it depends on where you are from. Toronto is under construction. There are direct flights from Toronto to MCI. Connect through SEA (BC), MSP, ORD (Prairies), YYZ, DTW, (Ontario and Quebec --HL is good), and YYZ, DTW, or EWR from the East Coast.

From South America: Dallas is best (DFW), but I have friends that use Miami (MIA) as well. There are limited flights from Miami to MCI, however. You can also try Atlanta (ATL). Connect to MCI.

 

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Airport Pickup Request Form

 

Reserve Airport Pickup

Send Airline name and flight numbers and dates to Kathleen Baudino by

E-mail: KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu,
Fax: 660.562.1546
Web: Online Airport Pickup Form (at least  5 days before departure)

We will meet you at the gate on 01/07/2008 and the bus will leave at 22:00h; plan accordingly.

International students’ arrival day is August 20th for Undergraduate Students (Bachelors, ESL and Exchange). If you are coming with a graduate student, please arrive on the 19th. Pickup charge on this day is $25 per person.

If you come to Northwest Missouri State University before August 20th, you are responsible for your own transportation and accommodations. Approximate cost for a pickup is $90-$175 per person. A recommended pickup service to use is Yates Limousine Service – 816.617.8717 or 877.779.2837. Remember you are responsible for your own transportation/accommodations if you arrive before the arrival dates. 

  1. If you would like to be met at the airport, you must provide the information below, along with a copy of your travel itinerary at least 5 days prior to departure to:

    Kathleen Baudino
    International/Intercultural Office
    Northwest Missouri State University
    Fax: 660.562.1546
    E-mail: KBAUD@nwmissouri.edu
  2. You may fill out an Online Airport Pickup Form

Have You Arranged Housing?

If no, we will arrange a hotel. Approx cost: $60/night

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Pack Your Bags

Checklist of Items to Check Before Getting on to Flight

     Check List
Don't forget to.....
CheckboxDouble check your I-20 for discrepancies and contact the IIC if a correction needs to be made.
CheckboxNotify us of your flight or arival details by web, e-mail or fax of flight information at least 3 days prior to departure. You can never let us know too early! If you have friends and/or family arranging to bring you to Maryville, please let us know about this also.
CheckboxFreshmen: fax your completed housing contract and health forms to the IIC office at 660.562.1546 no later than two weeks prior to arrival. Remember all undergraduate students under 21 years of age and 1st time freshmen are required to stay on campus for one academic year - no exceptions.
Packing...Important Documents!
CheckboxThis I-20 packet and your I-20 CheckboxPassport
CheckboxPen CheckboxMedical Insurance
CheckboxVisa

 

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Flying and Immigration Check

  1. Drink water and stay hydrated during the flight.
  2. Always keep money, your passport, I-20 packet, and tickets with you in a carry on bag. Keep this with you or in an overhead compartment while traveling. Do not pack it in your suitcases that the airline puts in the cargo hold. If you have prescriptions, take your medication with you in your carry on bag as well.
  3. On the flight to the USA, the flight attendant will hand you a white card (I-94 form) and blue form. Please fill these forms out completely, as they are needed when you land.
  4. Once you land in the United States you will have to pass through immigration. Go to the “Visitors” line (the long one!)
  5. Listen carefully to assistants telling people what desk to visit. They will tell you, “Next! Number twelve.” This means if you are next, then go to desk or line # 12. Stand behind the line! At the counter, you will need to show your passport, both pages of the I-20 and the I-94 form that you filled out. Do not show anything more unless they ask to see something else.
  6. The officer will ask you where you are going (say to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri) and what you are studying (Tell them your major on your I-20). The officer will take your left and right finger print and your picture. If there are no problems then she or he will stamp your I-20, (give you back your SEVIS I-20) and give you back the I-94 card and you go get your bags.
    NOTE: If you arrive in the USA after the arrival date in Item 5, you may be held and potentially sent back to your country.
  7. I-94 card will be given in the flight.
  8. Verify that the stamp reads F-1/D/S (Duration of Status) on the I-94 before you leave the immigration checkpoint.
  9. Make sure you have the stamped copy of your I-20.
  10. DO NOT THROW AWAY your I-20 or I-94.

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Transfering and arriving at Kansas Airport

 

Pick up your baggage and continue to Kansas City

After you clear immigration, collect your bags from the carousel, follow the line of people going through customs, give your blue customs form to the officer, and take your bags to be rechecked for your connecting flight.

Ask someone where you must go to fly to Kansas City.

Once you reach Kansas City International Airport, look for people holding a sign, which either displays your name and/or reads “Northwest” (IF you have properly notified us by faxing or emailing your flight information - see above). You will have to pick up your bags from the airport baggage claim in Kansas City and then proceed to Terminal C, Gate 89 to wait for the bus.

The bus leaves on the arrival days at 10 PM each night. Students arriving early will have to wait until that time. Plan your arrival in Kansas City Airport accordingly. We will drive you to the university and get you to your room. The charge for this service is $25.00 per person.

 

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Orientation Program

 

Report to the Intercultural International Center (IIC OFFICE)

  1. Please report to the IIC front desk by 8 a.m. Thursday, August 20th for Undergraduate Students Orientation, check-in and SEVIS registration process begins. Remember, you have to check in first with us so you can register for classes.

    NOTE: If you have friends at Northwest already, they need to take you to us at this time. Out of courtesy, please tell us WHO is taking care of you and bringing you to the IIC.
  2. Please bring...
    1. This I-20 packet
    2. I-20
    3. Passport
    4. Visa
    5. I-94
    6. Medical insurance (if it will be less than $655 per year or offer better coverage– See Medical Insurance section on page 10) 
  3. Mandatory International Student Orientation begins that day for all new students to Northwest. You will be guided through registration and informative sessions. Students are required to attend all sessions.
  4. At this time International Students will have a chance to meet the IIC Staff and ask any questions that you may have once you arrive at Northwest Missouri State University.

Again, congratulations and welcome to Northwest Missouri State University! We look forward to becoming your friend!

Emergency Only:
Jeffrey Foot, Director, International Affairs & ESL -- 660.541.0672

 

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University Bills

 

Costs (Travel, clothes and entertainment not included)

 

See Tuition and Fees for official costs

2008 Fall Semester (Jeffrey Foot estimates;)

Tuition fees, room and food will be charged once you enroll for classes. You will enroll in person for classes on Saturday, August 23th, 2008 as a part of our international student orientation. Your bill is due in full immediately after registering and verifying for classes. Your bill can be paid using a payment plan with interest being charged monthly, if you choose. All fees charged at Northwest must be paid in full before the end of each semester before you can verify your classes for the next semester. Students with past due accounts may not start classes in the following semester.

*Please understand this is an educated estimate. Actual costs will vary, however. Prices increase in the USA on average about 5% per year. Tuition at all universities in the USA increase around this rate.

How to Pay for Tuition and Send Money

  1. Bring a Bank draft for your fees ($8406) in USD made out to  Northwest Missouri State University
  2. Bring a Draft made out to you in USD
  3. Bring about $200 for immediate supplies

If you must pay a deposit or would like to send money in advance use the following address to wire money:

Citizen’s Bank & Trust of Chillicothe, PO Box 50, Chillicothe 64601, to First Bank of Maryville, ABA# - 101901396, (Account# - 540757.) Local Funds account for Northwest Missouri State University. Be sure to give your full name.

Other Costs:

1. Bedding (Residence rooms do not have sheets, blankets, pillows, towels)

 a. (Pre-purchased upon request only)..............................$100

 b. (Students may bring their own or

      purchase their own the following day).........................$0

 

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Health Information

 

Student medical insurance will be charged to your student account upon arrival to Northwest Missouri State University unless you provide evidence of sufficient HEALTH (not travel) insurance coverage valid for the United States of America ($50,000 injury, $15,000 repatriation, $15,000 medical evacuation). Policy will be checked for evidence of sufficient coverage.

You must have a copy of the policy (in English) and present this policy to the DSO – Kathleen Baudino - upon registering in SEVIS during orientation.  If you do not present this policy during registration - Northwest Missouri State University Medical Insurance will be charged to your account in the amount of $655 (this price is subject to increase). This is a requirement for all students.

 

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Deferral Fee Payment

If you are deferring from one trimester to the next, you will need to submit a $35 deferral fee.

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