51³Ô¹Ï

You must first be admitted to 51³Ô¹Ï before your admissions office can send a request to ISSS to process the I-20 or DS-2019 on your behalf.

After you are admitted, submit your deposit if required by your admissions office. Please refer to the instructions provided in the package you received from your admissions office.Ìý

If you need information on applying to 51³Ô¹Ï,Ìý51³Ô¹Ï Admissions can answer all of your questions related to the application process.

Activating your portal account is easy and allows you to receive important communication from the ISSS office.Ìý

Please follow these simple instructions:

1. Go toÌý.
2. Click on the "Students" link next to "New to 51³Ô¹Ï? Create your account."
3. Click "Create Student Account" on the next webpage.
4. Follow the instructions to create your account. You will be prompted to enter the 7-digit 51³Ô¹Ï ID number that you received with your admittance letter from the Admissions Office.
5. Complete the quick tutorial to learn about the benefits of using the portal.
6. Access your american.edu email account by logging in to myau.american.edu, then clickÌýthe "Email" link in the top right corner of the screen. Enter the same username and log-in again. Please begin checking this email account regularly.

If you are having trouble activating your account or logging inÌýto the portal,Ìýcontact the university's Information Technology Help DeskÌýby phone, email, or chat.

F-1 students are required to submit financial documents to demonstrate the ability to meet financial obligations for the first year of their program of study (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) before 51³Ô¹Ï can issue the immigration document form I-20 needed to apply for an F-1 student visa.

J-1 students are required to submit financial documents to demonstrate the ability to meet financial obligations for the entire length of their program of study (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) before 51³Ô¹Ï can issue a DS-2019 needed to apply for a J-1 student visa.

Both F-1 and J-1 students must submit the following to their admissions office:

1. Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS)
2. Supporting official financial proof
3. °ä´Ç³¾±è±ô±ð³Ù±ðÌýAdditional Sources of Funds FormÌý(PDF)ÌýifÌýyou have additionalÌýsources

For the estimated costs for your program of study and sample financial documents, please review ourÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý´Ç³Ü°ùÌý, respectively.

Immigration Transfers:

F-1 Immigration Transfers mustÌýcomplete the F-1 Immigration Transfer-In form in iEagle. ÌýJ-1 Immigration Transfers must send an email to J1EV@american.edu

Once you have submitted these documents, your admissions office will send ISSS a request to process your I-20 or DS-2019. For questions on the admission process, please contact your admissions office directly.

Before applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa, all first-time visa applicants are required to  in addition to the visa application fee. Please print and save the SEVIS fee payment receipt for your visa interview.Ìý

After you have paid the SEVIS fee, you must complete the "Pay I-901 SEVIS fee" pre-arrival step in . Ìý

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After you receive your immigration document and pay the SEVIS fee, you will apply for your F-1 or J-1 visa at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country.ÌýÌý

See our Visa Application & Renewal Website for detailed assistance and FAQ.Ìý

See our Tips for a Successful Visa Interview a²Ô»å  for more information. ÌýÌýAdditional guidance can be found at .Ìý

You will also need to complete the "Submit a copy of your visa and passport" pre-arrival step in after you receive your visa. Ìý

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Contact your academic advisor for information about the course registration process. It is important to register for your classes before you arrive on campus to start the semester.

• For Degree-seeking StudentsÌý[Undergraduate and Graduate Students]
  • First-year Undergraduate Students must work with the First Year Advising Team.
• For Ìý
• For Abroad at 51³Ô¹Ï (AB51³Ô¹Ï) Students
• For Washington Semester Program (WSP) Students
• For

ISSS provides an extensive orientation program for new students the week before classes start to help make your transition to the university as smooth as possible. TheÌýISSS orientation pageÌýhas information about the mandatory International Student Orientation dates and the pre-registration process.

Your program may also have a separateÌýorientation.ÌýPlease contact your admissions office for more information.

Note: Please review theÌýÌýto learn about additional healthÌýrequirements related toÌýCOVID-19.

Immunization
Students under the age of 26 must show proof of immunizations upon arrival at 51³Ô¹Ï. Students over the age of 26 do not need to submit proof of immunization. Immunization forms can be found on theÌýStudent Health Center website. Immunization records must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.

Health Insurance
All students are automatically enrolled in and required to holdÌý51³Ô¹Ï health insurance. 51³Ô¹Ï health insurance meets all university and immigration requirements.ÌýFor more information, review theÌýStudent Health Insurance page.Ìý

Waiving 51³Ô¹Ï health insurance is extremely difficult, and approval is not automatic. For more information, please review the waiver information page.

Private health insurance must meet all university requirements.ÌýFor J-1 Students,Ìýprivate health insurance must also meetÌýimmigration requirements.Ìý

• Tuition Payment: please visit the Student Accounts websiteÌýfor deadlines and payment options. Payments can be made usingÌýwire transfers, cash, credit card, and check. Tuition refund insurance information is availableÌýhere.
  
  For more information aboutÌýtuition payment, billing, tuition refund insurance, and other related information, please visit the office ofÌýStudent Accounts websiteÌýor call 51³Ô¹Ï Central at +1-202-885-8000.
• Monthly Payment PlansÌýare offered by 51³Ô¹Ï. For more information see theÌýAmerican Payment Plan website.
• Travel and Relocation Costs: Students mayÌýaccrue additional expenses in the first few weeks of theirÌýstay in the U.S. (i.e., during off-campus apartment searches, transportation, household items, other necessities, etc.). Please prepare accordingly.
• Social Security Numbers for Employment and Merit Awards: Students authorized to work or receive university graduate merit awards with a work component are eligible for aÌýSocial Security number. For more information about employment options, please go here.Ìý

One of the most important things you will have to take care of before you start your studies in the United States is finding a place to live. This is an important decision since it will be one of your biggest expenses and will affect your personal and academic adjustment.

On-campus Housing: Please see theÌýHousing & Residence Life websiteÌýor contact them by phone at +1-202-885-3370. Please review their Incoming Residents webpage to see which students are guaranteed on-campus housing.Ìý

Off-campus Housing: For an extensive list of Washington, D.C., area off-campus housing links, including roommates, group houses, apartments, and more, please visit theÌýOff-Campus Housing Resources website.

You are allowed to enter the United States no more than 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019. You will not be able to enter the United States after the start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 document. If you are facing unexpected delays in arriving, notify the ISSS office as soon as possible to discuss your options.

It is prohibited to pursue academic study in the United States on aÌýB-2 tourist visa or visa waiver. Do not enter the country with these visa types.Ìý

When purchasing your plane tickets, please note the dates from the university'sÌýacademic calendarÌýand be sure you are arriving in time for your mandatoryÌýorientation.

Carry the following documents with you on the plane:

• Passport with your F-1 or J-1 visa
• SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019
• Evidence of financial resources
• Evidence of student or exchange visitor status, such as letter of acceptance, tuition receipts or transcripts
• Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee
• Contact information for International Student and Scholar Services, (202) 885-3350.
• Inform the immigration officer at the port of entry that you will be a student in the United States to ensure that you are admitted inÌýstudent status

Visit theÌýÌýfor practical informationÌýon your arrival and entry into the United States.ÌýTo learn more, please review the Entry to U.S.Ìýand Immigration Responsibilities videosÌýinÌý.Ìý

Detailed information about Washington, DC transportation options and additional arrival information is available on theÌýtransportation webpage.

After arriving in the United States, you must complete mandatoryÌýimmigration registration in (ieagle.american.edu). Specific check-in instructions will be emailed to you about this process. In general, you will need to submit photocopies of the following documents:Ìý

1. Ìý
2. Biographical page of passportÌý
3. F-1/J-1 Visa
4. I-20/DS-2019 signed by you

You are also required to report your current U.S. address.

Please read all ISSS emails for important immigration information and complete all pre and post-arrival steps in your International Student Portal.