International Student Assistance

Advisors in the Office of International Programs are available help students with academic advising as well as help them to maintain their legal status in the United States.

The normal walk-in hours for advising are Monday through Friday 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., but atleast one advisor should be available throughout the day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Our international student advisors work cooperatively with the Academic Advising Center to assist students with selecting and registering for their classes.  Course selection is based on English language and basic skills placement testing to assure that students meet the prerequisite, general education and major requirements for graduation.  Students may also need to meet with advisors in the college of their major or graduate program to determine their course of study.

The Office of International Programs will be available to pick up new international students who arrive at MBS airport in Saginaw, Michigan. Please inform us to meet you at MBS airport by sending an email to oip@svsu.edu with the following information: date, time and flight number. We will then contact you via email to confirm that it has been received.

There will be an the week prior to classes beginning. This will help you settle into your new environment, learn about the campus, get acquainted with the services offered to you by SVSU, take your course placement tests, register for your courses, and participate in cultural activities. 

All new students are required to attend orientation. If you do not attend the scheduled orientation, you will be charged a late registration fee and will not be allowed to register for classes until you complete the orientation process. It is also possible that you may lose scholarship privileges if you do not attend. 

“Conversation Pods” is a registered student organization which arranges small groups of international and American students to meet each week for the purpose of practicing and improving English speaking skills in informal settings.

Special events, including international and U.S. holiday celebrations, and field trips are organized by the English language program, the SVSU Student Life and Recreation offices, and international student clubs to offer numerous opportunities to increase cultural awareness. All SVSU students, including American students and international students in addition to ELP students, are welcome to participate.

Inform us in advance if you are planning to live on campus. Please complete the online housing application (also included in the admission packet) as soon as possible. To reserve a space, you must send a U.S. $200 housing pre-payment with your application at least one month before the start of the semester. Please note, if you do not receive a U.S. visa, the housing pre-payment will be fully refunded.

For questions regarding housing, contact jcao9@svsu.edu. If you plan to live off campus, we assume that you have made your own arrangements for housing.

Due to housing demands we cannot guarantee housing upon arrival. We MUST be notified at least one month in advance.

The international student advisors in the Office of International Programs are available to assist students with a variety of their needs, which may include personal and cultural advising, visa regulations to maintain legal student status, health insurance, academic advising, and support for club activities and events.

Personal and cultural advising begins with a comprehensive orientation for new arrivals and continues with a variety of group workshops and individual counseling for topics such as housing and residential life expectations, required health insurance, campus rules and regulations, on campus employment, obtaining a driver's license, integration in campus and community activities, and personal requests as needed. 

Visa advising may include obtaining or changing student status, curricular and optional training authorization, extending length of study program, changes of address, letters to assist with visa or scholarship renewal, and signatures for travel outside the U.S.