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NEXT STEPS for accepted international students
Step 1 Log into your Neumann Application portal and click on your application.
Step 2 Submit the Reply to Offer of Admission form, located on the Next Steps tab.
Step 3 Once you ACCEPT your offer of admission, you will be prompted to pay a secure deposit online. You may use a credit card or authorize an e-check payment to pay your deposit amount. If you prefer to pay via a electronic wire transfer contact the university business office at OKOLOWSJ@neumann.edu
Step 4 You will receive a confirmation that your deposit has been received.
*Please note that e-checks may take up to 5 business days to process.
All international students who do not have another valid immigration status that allows them to study in the U.S. or would like to change their current visa status to F-1 are required to obtain a Form 1-20 to receive an F-1 student visa, which will allow them to study and stay legally in the United States during the duration of their studies.
- Complete the I-20 Request Form in your application portal
- Copy of passport
- Declaration of Finances form
- Financial supporting documents: Proof of funding for at least the first academic year of studies
For fall admission: All documents should ideally be submitted by June 1.
F-1 students can only bring a spouse and/or their own children as dependents. If you have dependents accompanying you, please have their passports and official translations of marriage and/or birth certificates for each member, to be uploaded in the ISSS portal at the time you are completing the I-20 request.
In addition to the amounts above, students with dependents should demonstrate additional funding of $7,500 to support a spouse and $5,000 per child.
Upon receiving all completed documents, the processing time for an I-20 typically takes 5 to 10 business days. If your documentation is incomplete, you will be contacted by a staff member.
We will start that process in mid-April. Paper copies of the I-20 are no longer required. If you feel strongly about receiving an original signed paper copy, you are responsible for covering the Priority Shipping cost.
- Complete the I-120 Request form
- Copies of previous visas
- Their most recent I-94
- Most recent previous I-20 (Applicable for current F-1 at another US institution)
- F-1 Transfer Clearance form
- Declaration of Finances form
You will need:
- Your International Advisor (DSO)’s email from your current institution
- Your advisor must verify and sign your transfer request
- Your Current school's name and SEVIS Code (found in your current I-20)
- Neumann’s SEVIS School code: PHI 214F00398000
Please discuss the SEVIS transfer process and your current immigration status with your current international student office. You may need to submit a copy of your NU acceptance letter to the international student office at your current school in addition to this electronic request.
Regulation requires all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before the Department of State issues you a visa. To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901.
Who needs to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee?
- All prospective F-1 students from countries where a visa to travel to the United States is mandatory.
- All prospective F-1 students from visa waiver countries (before seeking admission at a U.S. port of entry).
- Any nonimmigrant in the United States applying for a change of nonimmigrant status to F-1 status (before applying for a change of nonimmigrant status).
How do I pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee?
- Most prospective F-1 students also have the option to make a credit card payment on FMJfee.com. However, prospective international students with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank.
- SEVP will accept third party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee using the same method of payment. For students who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card.
As soon as you receive your form I-20, you should begin the visa application process. Keep in mind that it is best to apply for your student visa as early as possible (up to 120 days before the first day of classes).
NOTE: When completing any forms or applications, be sure to enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
If you are looking to Change Your Visa Status to an F-1 Visa from another visa, please visit our Change of Status page.
- All F-1 visa applicants are required to pay the one-time SEVIS I-901 fee of $350.
- The purpose of the fee is to help cover the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- You can find your SEVIS ID on the top left corner of your I-20.
- Neumann SEVIS School Code is PHI 214F00398000
Each applicant for a student visa must submit the following documents and complete these steps:
- A Form 1-20
- A completed nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160
- Review it and print it immediately with the specific bar code.
- Pay the Visa Fee ($160) at the designated bank in your country
- A passport that is valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date extending at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the U.S.
- One passport photograph measuring 2″ x 2″ (about 5 cm x 5 cm)
- A SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
As part of the visa application process, an interview at your local U.S. embassy or consular section is required. The waiting time for an interview appointment can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged.
- Your visa interview will be brief and probably less than three minutes! At this time, the consular official will determine if you will be issued a student visa.
- The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should answer all of the officer’s questions openly and honestly.
- We recommend you review these helpful visa interview tips before your appointment:
- Show strong ties to your home country. Show that you plan to return after your studies.
- Be positive and be brief.
- Be able to talk about your program of study and your career goals.
- Practice being able to answer all questions in clear English.
- In addition to your passport and I-20, all applicants should be prepared to provide the following documents at their Visa interview:
- A Neumann University letter of admission
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
- Scores from standardized tests such as the TOEFL, SAT, etc.
- Financial evidence that demonstrates that you and/or your sponsor(s) have sufficient funds to provide for tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study (These should be the same financial documents you provided to Neumann to obtain the I-20)
- Evidence to prove your intent to return to your home country upon completion of studies
Some countries may or may not be required to pay the Visa issuance fee. Please refer to the information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html and select your country to determine whether you are required to pay the Visa issuance fee.
Canadian Citizens Only: Acquiring F-1 Visa Status at a U.S. Port of Entry
This information is intended only for students who are citizens of Canada and does not apply to non-Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Canadian citizens do not need visas to participate in an educational program in the U.S. However, Canadian students do need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from the college, and request F-1 visa status at the port of entry.
Though you do not need a physical visa, all other F-1 immigration regulations apply. You must ensure you enter the U.S. as an F-1 student and not a visitor when you arrive for school. If you enter as a visitor, you will need to return to Canada and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status in order to begin your studies at Neumann.
Step 1: When you receive your I-20, check the following:
- The spelling of your name. Is it on your I-20 exactly how it appears on your passport?
- Are your date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship all listed correctly?
- Is it signed by the Designated School Official (DSO) on page one? The I-20 must be signed using BLUE ink. (Note: The I-20 will not be signed by the DSO on page two as the signatures on page two are only for reentry into the U.S.)
- Please read the instructions on page three of the I-20 and sign page one. Signing the I-20 means that you understand the regulations of F-1 visa status. Use BLUE ink!
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS I-901 registration fee ($350 USD) online at www.fmjfee.com. More information on the SEVIS fee can be found at www.ice.gov/sevis/i901. Once you pay the fee, print your receipt and keep it with your I-20.
Step 3: When entering the U.S., you will need to provide the immigration officer at the port of entry with:
- The original Neumann-issued I-20 certificate signed in BLUE ink
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Valid Canadian passport
- Proof of financial support to cover one full year’s cost of attendance, including scholarship letter if awarded, bank statements, loan statements, etc.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding your purpose for entering the U.S., where you are studying and why, how you will financially support yourself, and what your plans are after you graduate.
Neumann requires all undergraduate students taking 12 or more credits and graduate students taking 9 or more credits to have health insurance. The University sponsors a low-cost student health insurance plan for graduate and undergraduate students. All full-time registered students will automatically be charged the premium for this insurance plan on their Student Accounts bill.
- A student who has their third-party insurance or one provided by their sponsor should make sure that they have the following minimum coverage in the Aston, PA area.
- Access to local doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other health care providers in emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Coverage for inpatient and outpatient hospitalization.
- Coverage for lab work, diagnostic x-rays, physical therapy and chiropractic care, emergency room treatment, ambulance services, and prescription coverage.
- Coverage for inpatient and outpatient mental health, substance abuse, and counseling services.
Incoming first-year and transfer students who have successfully paid their $300.00 deposit and indicated Residential status with the Office of Admissions will be assigned rooms in the University’s residence halls. If you are uncertain of your resident or commuter status, please contact the Office of Admissions for clarification.
Office of Admissions:
Web page: www.neumann.edu/admissions
Email: neumann@neumann.edu
Phone: 610-558-5616
As we welcome first-year and transfer students to the Neumann Community, our residential communities are designed for a mixed-integrated class Residential Experience. What this means is that first-year and transfer students are not assigned to class-specific “halls” but rooms.
First-Year and Transfer Students will be assigned in any of the following communities:
- Flynn Hall
- Cunningham Hall
- O’Neill Hall
- Glen Riddle Hall (first-year honors students)
- Chiara Honors House (transfer honors students)
HOUSING APPLICATION INFORMATION:
- All incoming first-year and transfer students are invited to complete their housing application on eRezLife, via your Neumann Student Portal.
- In your eRezLife Application, you will be able to fill out a roommate preference form, indicate who you would like to live with, and make a “roomeez” profile to meet your fellow Neumann Knights!
- In addition, you will be asked to select a meal plan. All incoming students living in Flynn, Cunningham, O’Neill, and Glen Riddle Halls must select from a 125, 150, or unlimited block meal plan.
- All eRezLife Housing Applications are due by June 1st, 2025. Housing Assignments will be sent out via eRezLife in mid-June. Please make sure you are checking your Neumann Student E-Mail!
- It is highly recommended that roommates contact one another prior to move in to plan what they will bring to campus. Although our rooms are spacious, they cannot accommodate multiples of items that roommates typically share (televisions, microwaves, etc.).
For any additional questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life by e-mailing RESLIFE@neumann.edu or by calling 610-558-5657.
August 20
10am - 12pm
Bachmann Main Building
Room, TBD
All incoming F-1 students (new and transferring from other U.S. institutions) are required to attend our mandatory New International Student Orientation. At orientation, you will
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Develop a clear understanding of the regulatory requirements of maintaining legal F-1 status in the United States and empower you to take responsibility of your immigration record.
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Complete the mandatory Immigration Check-In process required for you to activate and maintain your F-1 record in SEVIS.
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All new F-1 students must present the following documents to ISS at the time of check-in:
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Valid Passport with F-1 visa stamp (or Change of Status approval notice)
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Signed I-20 issued by NU
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I-94 form
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Airport arrivals
Nearest airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – the airport is approximately 20 minutes from campus (13.3 miles/21.4 km)
Please plan for your flight to arrive on a weekday between 7:00am and 4:00pm if possible. The shuttle driver will pick you up OUTSIDE the terminal where you arrive so go to where other people are being picked up approximately one hour after you land to allow you time to get your luggage and go through immigration. Look for a vehicle that says “Neumann University” on it. We will track your flight to make sure it is arriving on time so don’t worry if you get delayed.
Contact Info if you cannot locate the driver: If you cannot locate the driver, call Campus Safety at 1-610-558-5555 (dial 001-610-558-5555 if calling from a non-U.S. phone) and they will get in touch with the shuttle driver they sent. If you cannot get a hold of them, call/text Victor Betancourt at +1 571-265-7295.
Where to go when you arrive on campus: You will report to the Center for Global Engagement in Bachmann 24C. The office is open from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. After a short meeting, you will be walked to your dorm if you are living in campus housing. If you are living in off-campus housing, you should arrange to meet with the International Student Advisor within the first week of being on campus.
Car arrivals
If you are arriving to campus by car and moving into your dorm or off-campus residence, please make sure you come to the Center for Global Engagement (Bachmann 24C) to meet with Jen Mintzer within the first few days of classes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Center for Global Engagement – Bachmann G24
Neumann University
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014
email: nuglobal@neumann.edu
WhatsApp: +1 (571) 265-7295
