Newly Admitted International Students

Welcome newly admitted international students! Congratulations on your acceptance to WSU! It is our goal to ensure you have the resources you need to succeed at the start of your F-1 student journey. From the time of acceptance until your arrival at WSU, we've got you covered!

Acquire an acceptance letter from the Admissions Office
Obtain a Form I-20 from the International Programs Office
Apply for F-1 student visa at a US Embassy abroad
Register for classes full-time
Submit Health and Immunization Forms to Health Services
Acquire adequate health insurance
Secure housing
Pay your tuition bill
Prepare to travel to the U.S.
If you are currently outside of the U.S. and would like to study in the states on a student visa, you must first obtain an I-20.
After submitting all of the required documents to the International Programs Office (IPO), you will be issued a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) electronically to your university email within 2-4 business days.
You must print your I-20 in color, and bring the physical and signed (in the indicated area on page 1 in blue ink) I-20 with you to your visa interview.
Your SEVIS Identification Number is located in the upper left-hand section of your I-20 and begins with N. You will need this to pay your SEVIS fee and schedule a visa interview.
Visit this website for more information on the Form I-20: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students-and-the-form-i-20
The SEVIS fee (currently $350 USD, this amount is subject to change) is a required part of the U.S. visa application process and must be paid before you schedule your visa interview.
In 2004, Congress mandated all international students and exchange visitors must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, which funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and SEVIS. This fee is separate from visa fees and school SEVIS administration fees.
You will need your I-20 document from Worcester State University before making payment.
When completing this payment process make sure you type your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form
Print a copy of the online receipt and bring that with you to the visa interview.
The school code for Worcester State University is: BOS214F00735000
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online HERE: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html
Visit this website for an I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Tutorial: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
1. Complete the Online Visa Application, Form DS-160: You must complete the online visa application and print the confirmation page to bring to your interview. Here is the link to the Form DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Photo: You will be prompted to upload your photo while completing the Form DS-160. Here are the requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
2. Schedule an Interview: You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Find your local embassy here: https://www.usembassy.gov/
Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before
the start date.
Visit this website for a more detailed guide on applying for the visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html.
1. Pay The Fee
Pay the non-refundable visa application (DS-160) fee if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality.
2. Gather Required Documentation
Passport (valid for 6 months beyond your period of stay in the U.S.
Form DS-160 confirmation page
Application fee payment receipt
Photos
Form I-20
Financial Support Documents
Admission Letter
Additional Documentation May Be Required
A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of:
– Your academic preparation, such as:
Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and
– Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
– Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of
study; and
– How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.
Find more information on the above here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Although you should remember to bring all potentially useful documents, it is also important to remember that the visa interview is a conversation, not a document review session. The burden of proof is on you personally to show that you intend to return to your country of residence after your studies.

The best thing that you can do is to clearly articulate —
•Why do you want to go to Worcester State?
•What do you plan to study?
•How do you plan to use your education when you return?

Be ready to cover this information in no more than 3 to 5 sentences, and practice saying those sentences with family and friends until you become comfortable with the English. Here are some of the types of questions that you might be asked:

•Why have you chosen this university?
•Who will sponsor your education?
•Do you intend to work in the U.S.?
•What are your plans after finishing the degree?
•What was your TOEFL score?

Also important, as for any first conversation, is to dress nicely and smile.
Find the required forms under “Forms, Requirements, and Deadlines”: https://www.worcester.edu/campus-life/health-services/
Deadlines:
Resident students must submit health forms by August 2. Students will not be allowed to move into the residence halls if outstanding requirements exist.
Commuter students must submit health forms by September 1.
Contact Information
For additional information regarding the Worcester State University Health and Immunization Form or Health Holds, please contact :
Health Services – Sheehan Hall
508-929-8875
508-929-8075 (fax)
email: avickstrom1@worcester.edu
Webpage: http://www.worcester.edu/Health-Services/
On-Campus Housing:
As a resident student at Worcester State University, you will be part of a lively and diverse community of approximately 1,600 full-time students who live on campus. You’ll make lifelong friendships and share a college experience that will have a lasting impact on your life.
We are committed to providing you with an inclusive living-learning environment that supports your academic and personal aspirations. We’re here for you every day to respond to your physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Our residence halls offer a wide variety of comfortable living options, from traditional to contemporary.
For more information regarding housing on-campus, please visit the following link: https://www.worcester.edu/campus-life/housing-dining/residence-life-housing/

Off-Campus Housing
Worcester State University and the IPO do not endorse or support any specific landlord or rental agency. There are a variety of websites and posting areas where you can find available housing off-campus in the local area:
Telegram.com
Zillow.com
Apartments.com
jumpoffcampus.com
Bulletin Boards at local businesses
Adequate health insurance at all times is required for F-1 international students, even during vacation periods.
University Health Insurance
Undergraduate degree seeking students enrolled in nine (9) or more credits per semester, and graduate degree seeking students enrolled in 4.5 or more credits per semester are required by State regulation to carry individual health insurance coverage. Students without such coverage will be billed a health insurance premium (currently $3,663.00 per year) for mandatory enrollment. Students who already have appropriate coverage must complete a waiver of insurance at the time of payment (before the first day of classes) in order to waive the mandatory insurance premium. Any student not completing a waiver will be billed for insurance. This charge may not be adjusted, and is non-refundable after the add/drop period.
If you have purchased different adequate health insurance and would like to waive your university health insurance, please visit this website: https://www.universityhealthplans.com/letters/letter.cgi?group_id=36
Check out this info sheet to learn more about terms and plan options:
Health Insurance Info Sheet
Once you have registered for classes full-time, you can pay your tuition bill.
You can pay your tuition bill online, it’s easy!
If you use a U.S.-based bank, please log onto Self Service to pay your bill.
If you use an international bank, please use PayMyTuition to pay your bill.
For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.worcester.edu/campus-life/student-services/student-accounts/tuition-fees-payments-for-international-students/
F-1 international students must study full-time during the fall and spring semesters. Not registering for classes full-time is considered a serious violation of your F-1 visa and could result in serious consequences.
First-Year Undergraduate Students: Please contact the Academic Success Center for assistance with registering for classes.
asuccess@worcester.edu
Transfer Students: Please contact the Academic Success Center for assistance with registering for classes.
asuccess@worcester.edu
Graduate Students: Please contact your graduate program coordinator for assistance with registering for classes. You can find who your program coordinator is in your acceptance letter.