New Student (On-boarding)

West Virginia University 
P.O. Box 6009 
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009 
1-800-344-9881  (304) 293-2121 
internationaladmissions@mail.wvu.edu

Transferring IN Your SEVIS Record to WVU From Another SEVP approved School:

• TRANSFER IN - When beginning your onboarding request for a new I-20, please remember to select "Transfer In" when beginning a new I-20 request.  You will then be directed to provide info about your current SEVIS ID and previous institution in order for us to transfer in your SEVIS record while we create your I-20.  Please select the gold box labeled "Transfer In" at the bottom of the "Getting Started" Tab when you begin your I-20 request.
• If you have been accepted to WVU as a transfer-in student, have received official confirmation of your acceptance to WVU and claimed your MIX account, and have not received the invite to request your I-20/DS-2019, please e-mail isss-students@mail.wvu.edu and we will work to provide you the information you need to login to our request system to begin the onboarding and transfer-in process.
  
  

STEPS TO BEGIN YOUR ON-BOARDING for an I-20/DS-2019

1. Activate your West Virginia University (Mix) Email

After you have been admitted, your official admission email will have your WVU student ID number and your WVU username. 

To activate your WVU Mix Email, please visit WVU's Tutorial website.

Log into the Campus WVU Portal (portal.wvu.edu) for campus-wide information and services. Now that you’re admitted, it’s time to get connected. Be sure to log in regularly in order to receive important and timely information.

2. Request an I-20 or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility)

Once you have been admitted, you will then receive a follow-up e-mail from ISSS with directions for joining our international student request portal. Once you are invited and log into the system, you may begin your onboarding request for your I-20/DS-2019. Please email isss-students@mail.wvu.edu if you are uncertain if you have received the invite email to begin a request or have questions about submitting your request.

Once you receive the invite, login with your WVU info, and begin your request, you will need to upload the necessary documentation to request your I-20 or DS-2019. Please note that this process will take longer if your documentation is not complete and correct. Be sure to submit all required documentation at the time of application and provide clear and organized documentation that shows proof of financials. You will need to prepare the following:

• your admission email (saved in PDF format)
• Passport bio pages (should be valid for more than 6 months beyond your entry to the US)
• Proof of Financial Support: evidence of financial ability to meet expenses (ex. official bank statement). We highly encourage you to read the info in the link above for complete guidance on providing financial proof documents and please see your request "financial details" tab or the tables below for amount needed:      
• • Undergraduate, IEP, AMP, & Exchange Student - estimated cost of attendance
  • Graduate & Professional Student -  estimated cost of attendance
  • If you are bringing dependent(s), you must provide additional funding in the amount of $6,171 for each dependent (spouse or child).
    
  • Please note that the evidence you provide must be a liquid asset & less than six (6) months old. The date on any financial document provided must be in U.S. format (MM/DD/YYYY) or the month spelled out to avoid confusion.  Failing to provide the date in the proper format on a financial document could lead to delays in processing and require further clarification.
  • Up-to-date graduate research assistant and graduate teacher assistant offer letters can be accepted granted that they are uploaded as a PDF or similar format with your request. Dates and terms must be clearly stated by your hiring department.
• Affidavit of support: signed by the sponsor (ex. parent, relatives, etc.) if someone else will be providing proof of funding (where applicable). Please date the affidavit in U.S. format (MM/DD/YYYY) or the month spelled out to avoid confusion.  Failing to provide the date in the proper format on the affidavit could lead to delays in processing and require further clarification.

IF YOU WILL TRANSFER-IN FROM ANOTHER U.S. School - When beginning your onboarding request for a new I-20, please remember to select "Transfer In" when beginning a new I-20 request.  You will then be directed to provide info about your current SEVIS ID and previous institution in order for us to transfer in your SEVIS record while we create your I-20.  Please select the gold box labeled "Transfer In" at the bottom of the "Getting Started" Tab when you begin your I-20 request.

I-20/DS-2019 Issuance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Happens Next?

After all of your documentation has been submitted, our international student advisers will review it. If they have questions, they will contact you for additional information via your mix email. Otherwise, you will receive a follow up e-mail about the method of delivery for your I-20 or DS-2019. A DS-2019 will be sent to you via FedEx, or DSL. An I-20 can be sent via electronic issuance under current U.S. regulations. To check on the progress of your I-20 or DS-2019, please check your new request portal account to see the status of the request or your mix email for updates or confirmation of delivery.  

ISSS does not guarantee turnaround times for onboarding and I-20/DS-2019 requests, but we strive to process requests within 15 business days after all documentation is received by the applicant.  We do not expedite requests as we work as quickly as possible already on all requests, but we do assess for urgency and fairly process in the order requests are received. 

You must allow time for our office to work on your request. We welcome follow up e-mails, however, we ask that you allow at least 15 business days for processing of your request before following up to ask about its status.  Please monitor your e-mail for updates or see our Frequently Asked Questions regarding I-20/DS-2019 Issuance.

To avoid further issues with your visa processing or cancellation of a previously made embassy appointment, we strongly recommend waiting until your I-20 is processed by our office and received prior to attempting to make an embassy appointment for a visa. Attempting to make the appointment prior to receiving the I-20 is highly discouraged and if unable to process your I-20 in time, you will need to reschedule your appointment at the U.S. embassy. ISSS cannot guarantee I-20/DS-2019 processing in time to make a previously scheduled embassy appointment against published Dept. of State guidance.

Please also note: Due to US Department of Homeland Security guidance, we cannot send or give I-20s and DS-2019s to extended family members, friends, or third parties. They must sent or given directly to the primary beneficiary (F-1/J-1) or dependent (F-2/J-2).

3. Review your I-20 or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility)

Once the document is received, be sure to verify that the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 is correct. The spelling of your name and your date of birth must be the same as your passport.  

If you find and error, please inform us immediately (isss-students@mail.wvu.edu) so that we can correct it. You will not need a new I-20 or DS-2019 sent to you, but the information must be updated in SEVIS before your visa appointment. 

4. Pay the Student & Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Fee 

The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is intended to defray costs associated with the administration of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once you have received your I-20 or DS-2019, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee (instructions are sent with your I-20 or DS-2019).

• $350 for F-1 Students
• $220 for J-1 Students

5. Apply for a Visa

After paying the SEVIS fee, you will need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country using the information located on your I-20 or DS-2019 (ex. SEVIS ID, program dates, and school code). Instructions on how to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa can be found on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate associated with your home country. 

You can also visit our applying for a visa webpage for more information and a list of frequently asked questions regarding visa issues.

6. Pay your academic deposit (only for degree-seeking, undergraduate students)

The academic deposit is required of all undergraduate, degree-seeking students, even if you are receiving a scholarship. The deposit is $250 for non-residents/international students. Payment is generally due around December 1st for Spring, May 1st for Fall, and before classes begin for Summer. You can pay through your WVU Portal (portal.wvu.edu) and can consult with the WVU Mountaineer Hub regarding application of payment or any refunds.

7. Look for Housing

WVU offers a wide variety of housing options, from traditional residence halls to university-owned apartments. It's best to find housing well in advance of your arrival. For more information on on-campus and off-campus house, visit our housing webpage.

Pay your housing deposit and register for housing (if applicable)

After you pay the academic deposit, you must wait 48 hours before completing the online housing application. You will submit the $225 housing deposit and then you will be assigned housing. General move-in begins on the Saturday prior to the first day of class. Please check the WVU Housing website for more information. If you need summer housing, please visit: https://summer.wvu.edu/housing.

On-campus Housing (Undergraduate students)

For first year undergraduate students, it is recommended that they live in the residence halls for at least the first year. The residence hall leases (contracts) are valid for one academic year and include a meal plan (meals are provided). Room assignments are on a first come first served basis. To be assigned a room, students are required to complete their housing applications and pay a housing deposit through http://housing.wvu.edu/apply-for-housing/apply-residence-hall. 

Please note: University residence halls are closed during school breaks. During these times students are required to find alternate housing. Students may request accommodation for holiday housing through the housing office or by indicating that they will require holiday housing on their housing contracts.

On-campus Housing (Graduate students)

On campus housing is available for graduate students through University Apartments at College Park, University Park, University Place and Vandalia Apartments. The leases (contracts) are valid for one academic year and do not include a meal plan (meals are not provided). The apartments are open during school breaks, therefore finding alternate housing is not necessary. For more information go to http://universityapartments.wvu.edu/

Off-campus Housing

Most graduate students and upperclassmen undergraduate students live off campus (rental properties). Rental leases (contracts) once signed are legally binding and are typically for one year with minimal to no chance of getting out of the contract without a costly legal battle.  Please visit the Campus and Community Life Off Campus Housing page for more info.

Leases (contracts for housing)

Before signing a lease it is highly recommended to have the Student Legal Services go over the lease with you to make sure you fully understand it. For more information on off-campus housing and student legal services visit the links below:

• Off Campus Housing Resources can be found at http://campuslife.wvu.edu/student-advocacy/off-campus-housing
• Student Legal Services can be found at http://studentlegalservices.wvu.edu

NOTE: Students who have not made prior housing arrangements, or who will not be able to immediately move into their apartments or residence hall rooms, or who have late night arrivals are strongly advised to have some extra spending money for hotel accommodation and meals. View your stay options in Morgantown, WV as well through the Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitor's Bureau site or utilize any popular hotel search engine.

Students with specific physical needs should contact the Office of Accessibility Services to obtain academic, housing, or transportation accommodations. Please call (304) 293-6700 or visit accessibility Office of Accessibility Services to begin the process.

8. Choose a dining plan

All students living in WVU residence halls are required to have a dining plan. Once you move in, if you have not selected a meal plan, one will be automatically assigned to you. If you are commuting (living off campus), you have the option of purchasing a non-residential student dining plan. To view all your dining options, please go to: diningservices.wvu.edu/dining-plans

9. Research Health Insurance

All students at WVU are required to maintain health insurance. To review your options, check deadlines, verify immunization requirements, and more, please visit WVU's Student Insurance Website. 

Any student who is already covered by another approved health insurance plan may complete the insurance waiver application to opt out of the WVU plan. This waiver is due by the first day of class. Students without an approved waiver on file will be automatically enrolled in the WVU Aetna student health insurance plan (see prices on the WVU Student Insurance Office website). Please visit talentandculture.wvu.edu/student-insurance to learn more or to find the waiver application.

10. Complete the Pre-arrival Orientation Request 

Here you will complete learning modules concerning US federal regulations and F-1/J-1 status while you are staying in the United States.

To complete your online learning module, please log into your student request portal with your WVU credentials. Under the "Requests and Documents Tab, please choose the request "Pre-arrival Orientation." Read over each of the sections, sign, and submit. You must complete the pre-arrival orientation on US rules and regulations and WVU-related policy pertaining to your student status before arriving at WVU. 

11. Take the ALEKS Practice Test for Math & Chemistry (only for degree-seeking, undergraduate students)

Because international students do not generally have ACT or SAT scores, taking the ALEKS Test will help WVU to place you in courses. Accurately identifying your current skill level will help in creating a plan of study for your time at WVU. Each major has a specific math requirement, so it is important to know what classes you will need to complete for your desired field of study. 

• To prepare for the ALEKS Test, please visit the ALEKS Testing website.

12. Travel to the US