» FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. What if I am interested in applying to study at the Residential Campus in Fayette, Iowa, USA?
2. When can I get started taking classes at Upper Iowa University?
3. I am interested in study abroad atUpper Iowa, where should I go?
4. What documents are needed for admission to Upper Iowa University?
5. How do I meet the English Language Proficiency requirement?
6. How do I verify completion of secondary education?
7. What is an official transcript and how can I get an official transcript?
8. When do all these documents need to be submitted?
9. How do I become an F-1 student at Upper Iowa University?
10 What does a prospective F-1 nonimmigrant student need to bring to a visa interview?
Q1) What if I am interested in applyingto study at the Residential Campus in Fayette, Iowa, USA?
A1) Please go to the following web link for the process:
http://www.uiu.edu/international/admissions.html. Please contact Brian More at
moreb@uiu.edufor more details.
Q2) When can I get started taking classes at Upper Iowa University?
A2)Please work with your country’s center for information about the start of each term or semester. They will be able to assist you with the admission procedures and registration for classes. You can find the contact information for each Center at the following webpage: http://www.uiu.edu/international/locations.html.
Q3) I am interested in study abroad at Upper Iowa, where should I go?
A3) The first step is to visit our webpage at:
http://www.uiu.edu/international/study_abroad.html. If you would like further advice, please e-mail us at international@uiu.eduand we will answer your questions in a timely fashion.
Q4) What documents are needed for admission to Upper Iowa University?
A4) The required documents include:
- Application for Admission
- Verification of English Language Proficiency
- Verification of completion of secondary education
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions
attended
Q5) How do I meet the English Language Proficiency requirement?
A5) Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement include:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
-Internet-based score – 61 or higher
-Paper-based score – 500 or higher
-Computer-based score - 173 or higher
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- 5.0 or higher
IELTS Website
- Malaysian University English Test (MUET)
- 4.5 or higher
Q6) How do I verify completion of secondary education?
A6) Possible documents to verify completion of secondary education include thefollowing, with English translations:
- Official public examination certificate in your country. (SPM, HKCEE, or
others)
- General Certificate of Education (GCE)
- Official high school transcript (diploma may be included)
Q7) What is an official transcript and how can I get an official transcript?
A7) An official transcript passes directly from institution to institution. You need to contact each place you attended and request your officialtranscript be sent directly to Upper Iowa University. There will probably be a fee for this service.
Q8) When do all these documents need to be submitted?
A8) All the documents discussed are entrance requirements. Please work withyour country’s center for assistance.
Q9) How do I become an F-1 student at Upper Iowa University?
A9) From outside the US,
1. Non-immigrants must:
a. Apply to, and be accepted by Upper Iowa University, an SEVP
certified school.
b. Be able to pay for the cost of schooling and living expenses
while in the United States and furnish proof of sufficient funding
to the school. Nonimmigrant students have limited work
opportunities, therefore, nonimmigrant students should not expect
to work to pay expenses.
c. Attend school full-time
2. When Upper Iowa University accepts a nonimmigrant applicant, it
issues a Form I-20 for initial attendance. Prospective nonimmigrant
students may apply to more than one SEVP-certified school, but must
choose one and use the Form I-20 from that school when applying for
a visa.
3. After receiving the Form I-20, the prospective nonimmigrant student
must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at http://www.fmjfee.com/.
4. The prospective nonimmigrant student must then obtain a student
visa from an embassy or consulate abroad or, if from a visa exempt
country such as Canada or Bermuda, apply for admittance at a U.S.
Port of Entry (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm).
5. After obtaining an F-1 or M-1 visa, the prospective student may apply
for entry into the United States through a U.S. Port of Entry no more
than 30 days prior to the program start date on the student’s Form I-20.
From inside the US, the prospective nonimmigrant student must:
1. Be in the United States in a valid nonimmigrant status and eligible to change to F-1 or M-1 status (See USCIS website on who may change status).
2. Be accepted by UIU, receive a Form I-20, and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, as in steps 1 to 3 above.
3. Use a Form I-539 to apply to USCIS for a change of status.
4. Receive approval from USCIS for the change of status.
5. Be prepared to depart the United States immediately if the change of status application is denied.
b. Be able to pay for the cost of schooling and living expenses
while in the United States and furnish proof of sufficient funding
to the school. Nonimmigrant students have limited work
opportunities, therefore, nonimmigrant students should not expect
to work to pay expenses.
c. Attend school full-time
2. When Upper Iowa University accepts a nonimmigrant applicant, it
issues a Form I-20 for initial attendance. Prospective nonimmigrant
students may apply to more than one SEVP-certified school, but must
choose one and use the Form I-20 from that school when applying for
a visa.
3. After receiving the Form I-20, the prospective nonimmigrant student
must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at http://www.fmjfee.com/.
4. The prospective nonimmigrant student must then obtain a student
visa from an embassy or consulate abroad or, if from a visa exempt
country such as Canada or Bermuda, apply for admittance at a U.S.
Port of Entry (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm).
5. After obtaining an F-1 or M-1 visa, the prospective student may apply
for entry into the United States through a U.S. Port of Entry no more
than 30 days prior to the program start date on the student’s Form I-20.
From inside the US, the prospective nonimmigrant student must:
1. Be in the United States in a valid nonimmigrant status and eligible to change to F-1 or M-1 status (See USCIS website on who may change status).
2. Be accepted by UIU, receive a Form I-20, and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, as in steps 1 to 3 above.
3. Use a Form I-539 to apply to USCIS for a change of status.
4. Receive approval from USCIS for the change of status.
5. Be prepared to depart the United States immediately if the change of status application is denied.
Q10) What does a prospective F-1 nonimmigrant student need to bring to a visa interview?
A10) All applicants for an F-1 student visa must provide:
-
Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.
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A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport.
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An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants.
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A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States
-
One (1) 2x2 photograph
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A receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F visa applicants must pay the visa application (MRV) fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.
A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport.
An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants.
A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States
One (1) 2x2 photograph
A receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F visa applicants must pay the visa application (MRV) fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
Because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for the same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be changed by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation.
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
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Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
-
Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
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Financial evidence that shows that the student or sponsoring parents have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. For example, if the student or sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If the student or sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
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Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.)
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It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
