New International Student Enrollment Checklist

Apply for Admission
Visit www.marshall.edu/admissions/international for international admission information. When you are ready, you can apply for admission here: www.marshall.edu/admissions/apply.
After your application has been received, you will receive a credential request letter via email that lists the items needed for your admission file along with how your credentials must be received by the Admissions Office.
Pay the Enrollment Deposit
Once an applicant has been admitted and has decided to attend Marshall University, he or she must submit the enrollment deposit.  The enrollment deposit is required for a student to reserve housing or register for classes.  The enrollment deposit is fully refundable until May 1 if paid for a fall term and until December 1 if paid for a spring term.  To pay the enrollment deposit online, click here.
Receive I-20 or DS-2019
Once you are admitted to Marshall University and pay the enrollment deposit, you will be issued an initial I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). You should take this document with you when you go to the embassy to apply for an entry visa and you should show it to the Customs and Border Protection officer when you arrive at the border in the US. Please remember to sign and date your I-20 or DS-2019 on the bottom of page 1, and keep this document with your passport at all times. Your personal 11-digit SEVIS number is located at the top right corner of your I-20 or DS-2019 above the barcode and begins with the letter “N”.
Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee
Electronically pay the SEVIS fee here: https://www.fmjfee.com. To see current SEVIS fee information and pricing: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901

What is the SEVIS Fee?
The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a fee intended to defray costs associated with the administration of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This rule took effect on September 1, 2004. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial I-20 or DS-2019 is responsible for paying this fee to SEVP.

Apply for Entry Visa
Note: The SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE attending your visa interview.

All incoming international students are required to apply for an entry visa to the United States. You must attend a visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy in your country to obtain the entry visa. Click here to see a list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates throughout the world. Also, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website on up-to-date visa procedures here: visa information.

Required Documents for Visa Interview:

  • Valid I-20 or DS-2019
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months
  • Updated photograph (refer to embassy for specific dimensions of photograph)
  • SEVIS Fee payment proof
  • Evidence of financial means to meet university expenses
  • Evidence of intent to depart the USA after completion of academic program
  • Evidence of English ability sufficient for program of study

Here is some more helpful information for preparing for your visa interview.

Activate Your MUNet Account
After you are admitted to Marshall University, you will be able to activate your MUNET online account.  Please click here for information to activate your computing account.  Be sure to choose MUID as the ID type.  For more information regarding online services, including registration, email access, and other IT services, click here.
Purchase Health Insurance
Marshall University requires all international students to have health insurance while studying in their degree program. Students are also required to show proof of insurance prior to registering for each semester during their study at Marshall University.
Apply for health insurance here: www.marshall.edu/iss/healthinsurance/.
Apply for On-Campus Housing
International students who wish to live on Marshall’s campus can enroll online using the online housing application. The application is password protected. When you are ready to access the online housing application, please email iss@marshall.edu, and a password will be sent to you. If a student wishes to live off-campus, it is the student’s responsibility to find living arrangements.
Know What To Bring
If you are living on campus, this helpful guide will assist you in planning how to pack and knowing what to bring.
Make Travel Arrangements
The Office of International Student Services at Marshall University provides a reliable airport pick-up service the week before every semester begins. If you wish to use this service, please complete and submit the Airport Pick-up Arrival Form. Marshall University has two airports nearby where the Office of International Student Services staff can perform pick-ups: Huntington Tri-State Aiport (HTS) and Charleston Yeager Airport (CRW). Huntington Tri-State Airport is about 15 minutes from Marshall’s campus, and Charleston Yeager Airport is about 50 minutes from campus. There is an airport pick-up fee of $50 for all pick-ups at Huntington Tri-State Airport and a $150 fee for all pick-ups made at Charleston Yeager Airport.
Attend New International Student Orientation
The Office of Intercultural and International Affairs organizes New International Student Orientation each semester, and provides a New International Student Orientation online preparation course. Please follow the link to view this course and see details for when the coming semester’s New International Student Orientation will be held.
Check-in with ISS
The Office of International Student Services holds mandatory international student Check-in and Immigration Sessions the week before regular classes begin each semester. It is a requirement that new international students attend these meetings. Please follow the link for more information about Check-in, Immigration Session, and Arrival.

You may view our Maintaining Status page online and begin the check in process by completing the online Check-In Form. We will need a copy of your most recent I-94 for check in, and you can access your record online at this link.

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Be Cautious of Scams!

If you receive a suspicious email or phone call, please contact our office immediately before taking further action. To learn more about how to protect yourself from common scams, click on the bolded text for information from Study in the States and USCIS.