Admitted International Students

Once you have been admitted to SVSU, we can't wait to meet you on campus. Check out these resources to help you with your next steps.

You're in. Congrats new Cardinal!

Soon you will see that there is no place like SVSU.

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Checklist for Admitted Students - Complete Before Arriving

STEP 1: Access Your MySVSU Student Portal

Check the email you used to apply to SVSU. In your inbox, you should have received your credentials for logging into MySVSU portal. You will need to download the Microsoft Dual Authentication app and link that to your MySVSU account to access your portal.

STEP 2: Start Checking Your SVSU Email Account

Important information from SVSU will be sent to your student email address. All new students should begin checking their email accounts regularly for official University correspondence.

STEP 3: Receiving Form I-20

Students from outside of the United States:

International students beginning their student visa (F1) application must first obtain Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”. Saginaw Valley State University prepares I-20 documents for international students who have accepted an offer of admission.

To obtain Form I-20 from Saginaw Valley State University, you must submit Evidence of Financial Support (EOFS) in the form of a bank statement or letter. The exact amount to demonstrate was emailed to you from the International Admissions Office with your admission and scholarship notice. Bank letters must be dated within 30 days of submission.

The I-20 will be emailed to you as a PDF once we have reviewed the EOFS.

Students already in the United States:

If you currently have an active Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record and are inside the United States, notify your current advisor to have your SEVIS record sent to Saginaw Valley State University. Saginaw Valley State University’s SEVIS code is DET214F00627000.

STEP 4: Start Visa Application Process

Pay the SEVIS Fee and Make Your Visa Appointment

Before you can apply for your F-1 visa for entry into the United States, you must pay the mandatory Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 processing fee of $350. This is separate payment from the visa application fee, or MRV fee.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online. You must have your I-20 available when you pay this fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid in U.S. dollars by mail, online, or through Western Union's "Quick Pay" service. Saginaw Valley State University's SEVIS code is DET214F00627000. Visit this webpage to pay your I-901 fee.
Keep the receipt of your payment. You must present the receipt as proof of payment at your visa appointment and at the U.S port of entry.
Canadian citizens must present the SEVIS fee payment receipt at the U.S. port of entry. You cannot pay the SEVIS fee at the border.
Make your visa appointment
- After your I-901 fee has been paid, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate to schedule your interview.
- Complete your visa application and pay the visa application fee. Visa application processing time vary by country, so please check with your nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S Consulate for correct processing times. For more details, click here.
- Follow the directions provided by the U.s> Embassy when you schedule and arrive for your interview.
- Prepare for the visa interview.
- Visa interviews are typically brief, but it is important to come prepared.
- Here are some useful tips for your interview:
  - Provide evidence of ties to your home country. Mention jobs, family, financial prospects and investments in your home country, since these will give you a reason to return home after completing your studies.
  - Practice speaking English. Your interview will take place in English. Practice the interview with a native English speaker, if possible.
  - Know your program and how it fits your career plans. Inform the interviewing officer of your reasons for studying a certain program in the US. Also, tell the officer how you will use this education after you return home.
  - Be Concise. Consular officers are busy you should expect only 2-3 minutes of their time. Keep your answers short.
  - Make your employment intentions clear. The main purpose of going to the U.S. should be to study. Make it clear to your officer that you intend to return to your home country for employment after finishing your U.S. education.
- Documents to bring to your visa appointment:
  - Form I-20
  - Passport
  - Bank Statement
  - Form DS-160 Confirmation
  - I-901 Fee Confirmation
  - Transcripts
  - Test Scores
- If you have questions, contact International Admissions Counselor Abbey Swanson at acswans1@svsu.edu.

STEP 5: After Your Visa Interview

If your visa is approved, the visa officer will request your passport. The U.S. Embassy/Consulate will hold onto your passport for one week, and then they will mail it back to you. Once you receive your visa, you will want to update your Visa Update Form in the student application portal. Then, complete the Pre-Arrival Form in your portal.

STEP 6: Airport Pickup

Students are urged to fly into MBS International Airport, located about 15 minutes from campus. From MBS, a member of the Office of International Programs will pick up the student. If a student flies into another airport, the student is responsible for arranging their own transportation to campus.

We encourage our international students to arrive a few days prior to the start of Orientation. Students are expected to login to their application portal and fill out the Pre-Arrival Form (along with the Visa Update Form). This Form will require the following information:

Airport of arrival
Arrival date
Flight number
Arrival time

Students will receive email confirmation from their driver in the days leading up to the students' pick up from MBS International Airport.

STEP 7: Make Housing Arrangements

SVSU’s on-campus housing is nationally recognized as the #1 ranked on-campus housing. While living on campus isn’t required, it’s highly recommended for international students—especially in the first semester—to help you get acclimated, meet friends, and access campus resources easily.

On-Campus Options:

Traditional residence halls
Two-bedroom suites
Apartments

Explore & Apply:

What’s Included (Amenities):

Private kitchen with stove, refrigerator, microwave
Private bathrooms
High-speed internet (wireless & data ports) and digital cable
Laundry facilities near your room
Secure buildings with card access
Free, convenient parking
Air conditioning

Safety & Support:

University Police Department on campus
Emergency notification system
Operation ID (property identification program)

Health & Recreation:

Fitness center
Running & walking trails
Covenant Healthcare resources nearby

How to Apply (MySVSU):"

Log in to MySVSU with your SVSU username and password.
From the dashboard, click “Life at SVSU” (red button between “Academics” and “Technology Support”).
Select “Contract Housing & Meal Plan” from the drop-down menu and follow the prompts.

Off-Campus Housing:

You’re welcome to live off campus. Most apartments are unfurnished, so plan for furniture and essentials. For nearby options, review pricing and floor plans on the Campus Village website.

STEP 8: Placement Tests (for undergraduate students only)

Placement tests are used by our departments to place you in the correct math and English courses. You will be evaluated based on your math, writing, and reading skills. It is crucial to your academic success at SVSU that you take the placement tests seriously and that you complete them on your own. ACT/SAT submission can be used in place of the student's placement test during Orientation.

Students can take the placement test in person during Orientation or remotely before coming to campus. Through a live-proctoring company, ProctorU, students can take their placement tests early. Please note that the exam will not work on Chromebooks, cellphones or tablets. Students will work directly with ProctorU for scheduling, payment, and technological issues. Students may visit ProctorU's "Equipment Requirements" page for more information. For questions about at-home testing or to receive a voucher, please contact the Testing Center at testing@svsu.edu or call (989) 964-2820.

The cost associated with this service is $28.00 and requires the following:

A laptop/desktop
Webcam
Reliable bandwidth
Private place to test free of other people

STEP 9: Prepare for Orientation

Orientation is required for all new and transfer undergraduate and graduate students. It will take place across three days when you arrive. Students will get checked in to their housing, receive their student IDs, take placement tests and schedule classes (unless completed ahead of time), your campus, learn about the university, and bond with other international students.

STEP 10: Pay Your Tuition

For international students, tuition is due on the Friday before classes begin to pay their balance in full. There are several ways to pay for your tuition:

Payment Plans
- There is a one-time fee associated with the payment plans of $75. The payment plan consists of four equal payments owed for the balance, plus the $75 fee. Students will login to their mySVSU and go through their Self Service account to set this up
Online via Echeck or credit/debit card
- Payment via Echecks (use of your bank account and routing number) are not assessed service charges. Credit/Debit card payments are assessed a service charge based on the percentage of the payment being made.
- Log-in to mySVSU, go to Self Service, select Students, select My Financial Account, select Make a Payment
By Mail via Check
- Check made payable to SVSU (include student name and ID number)
- Mail to:
  Campus Financial Services Center
  Saginaw Valley State University
  740 Bay Road
  University Center, MI 48710

In Person
- Campus Financial Services Center (CFSC)
  - 131-A Wickes Hall
  - Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- For your convenience:
  - Drop Box Payment Center is located next to CFSC across from the Academic Advising Office. The Drop Box is available anytime Wickes Hall is open for business.
  - Kiosk Computer Stations are available during business hours outside CFSC for schedule changes, financial aid processing, and bill payments
Via Flywire
- One lump sum payment from your country

STEP 11: Student Health Insurance

All SVSU international students are obligated to hold university health insurance. Our Internation Student Advisors will assist students with enrolling in their health insurance plans during Orientation. Payments for university health insurance are broken up across fall and winter semesters.

STEP 12: Send and Bring Final Transcripts

Request official academic transcripts from all US institutions you attended, even if you just took one class. Transcripts should be sent via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse directly to SVSU if you attended a US institution. If you attended a foreign institution, please have your transcripts emailed to SVSU International Admissions or bring official transcripts in a sealed envelope with you upon arrival.

STEP 13: Arrive to Campus

Early Arrival: Early arrival is permitted. Please coordinate with Abbey Swanson, International Admission Counselor at acswans1@svsu.edu to arrange early arrival.

Late Arrival: Tell the following people if you arrive late to campus:
- The Office of International Admissions at acswans1@svsu.edu
- Your academic advisor
- Your professors

More Information for New International Students

Saginaw Valley State University’s SEVIS code is DET214F00627000.

The International Office of Student Services will be a key resource for all international students who enroll at Saginaw Valley State University.

You will find more information about housing, airport transportation, health insurance, and more on their website.

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