FAQ FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Thank you for your interest in attending Tusculum.

1. To start the admission process, you should submit your application.
2. Official Transcripts from all institutions, both secondary and university, should be translated to English and submitted to Tusculum.
3. Next, you must submit your test scores, such as the ACT and/or SAT.
4. International applicants from a country whose primary language is not English, must submit proof of English proficiency.
5. You must also complete the Certification of Finances form and submit to Tusculum.
6. You must provide proof of health insurance. All international students must have current health insurance or purchase student insurance on arrival at Tusculum.

Once you are accepted and have paid the enrollment deposit, Tusculum will issue the I-20

It is very important when you apply to confirm the email address where the I-20 should be sent.

The Form I-20 is a paper record of your information in the SEVIS database. Before you apply for your visa, you should select Tusculum’s Form I-20.

Check your Form I-20 against your passport information to make sure that your name and date of birth (DOB) are correctly listed and spelled. If it is not correct, contact the school official who sent you the Form 1-20.

Once you have your Form I-20, you are ready for the next step – paying your I-901 SEVIS Fee.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee is required for all F and M students as well as J exchange visitors. Paying your I-901 SEVIS Fee is very important. Without this fee, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa. To learn more about the I-901 SEVIS Fee click here.

Make sure your Form I-20 information matches that on your I-901 SEVIS Fee form.

• FMJfee.com – This is the website to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.

Important forms are:

• U.S. Visas
• Form I-20 / Form DS-2019
• Arrival and Departure Forms (i94 & i94W)

Please contact Admissions at admission@tusculum.eduwith questions about the necessary forms.

Tusculum only issues F1 Visas.
For more information, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html

Communicate closely with Admissions admission@tusculum.edu, the PDSO at Tusculum.
You should visit this link: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/students when preparing for your trip to the US.

Arriving in the United States is a very important step, which you should to prepare for. If you have everything ready, it should be a very smooth experience. The following documents give a good outline of the arrival processes and exceptions:

• How do I become an F or M student?
• What is Secondary Inspection?

If the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry cannot initially verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information without causing delays for other arriving passengers.

The inspector will first attempt to verify your status by using the Student and Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS). In the event that the CBP officer needs to verify information with your school or program, we strongly recommend that you have the name and telephone number of the designated school official (DSO) at your school. In the event you arrive during non-business hours (evening, weekends, holidays), you should also have an emergency or non-business hour phone number available for this official.

Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your being denied entry to the United States. Under certain circumstances, the CBP officer may issue a “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor” Form (I-515A), which authorizes temporary admission into the United States. Work with your school without delay to submit the proper documentation required by the Form I-515A.

Failing to comply with a Form I-515A will result in the termination of your status, read SEVP’s Form I-515A Noncompliance Termination procedure to ensure you understand how to properly respond and maintain your status.

When arriving at Tusculum for orientation, please arrive on campus by 9 am. If you need assistance traveling from airports to Tusculum, please contact Admissions at admission@tusculum.edu

Visit this page to learn how to properly maintain your status: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/maintaining-your-status

And, after the first day of class at Tusculum, please contact Jill Oberfeitinger (joberfeitinger@tusculum.edu) to discuss your time at Tusculum.