Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Admissions
What is the admission process for Upper Iowa University's residential campus in Fayette, Iowa?
Undergraduate Program
All international students applying for the undergraduate program must submit the following documents to be considered for admission:
- International Undergraduate Admission Application
- Official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of English proficiency
- Financial statement demonstrating ability to pay for one full year of expenses at UIU
- Affidavit of support form (if someone other than the student will be funding their education in the US)
- Copy of passport
The entire application package should be sent to Upper Iowa University, Office of International Programs, 605 Washington Street, P.O. Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142. Documents can also be sent to international@uiu.edu.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
All international students applying for the ESL program must submit the following documents to be considered for admission:
- ESL Application for Admission
- Official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended
- Financial statement demonstrating ability to pay for one full year of expenses at UIU
- Affidavit of support form (if someone other than the student will be funding their education in the US)
- Copy of passport
- Two letters of recommendation
- Short essay addressing the question, "Why is studying in an ESL program important to you?"
The entire application package should be sent to Upper Iowa University, Office of International Programs, 605 Washington Street, P.O. Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142. Documents can also be sent to international@uiu.edu.
How can I check my admission status?
You can check your admission status via email (international@uiu.edu), fax (563.425.5833), or letter (605 Washington Street, P.O. Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142).
When will you issue my I-20?
Upper Iowa University's Office of International Programs will issue each student an I-20 after the student has been accepted into the university. We will provide you with a FedEx tracking number when the acceptance packet and I-20 have been sent.
When can I get started taking classes at Upper Iowa University?
Please work with your country’s center for information about the start of each term or semester. They will be able to assist you with the admission procedures and registration for classes. Please click here for contact information.
How do I verify completion of secondary education?
Possible documents to verify completion of secondary education include the following, with English translations:
- Official public examination certificate in your country. (SPM, HKCEE, or others)
- General Certificate of Education (GCE)
- Official high school transcript (diploma may be included)
What is an official transcript and how can I get an official transcript?
An official transcript passes directly from institution to institution. You need to contact each place you attended and request your official transcript be sent directly to Upper Iowa University. There will probably be a fee for this service.
Financial Aid
Is financial assistance available for international students?
Yes, scholarships are available. Please e-mail us to find out if you qualify. International scholarships are renewable.
Housing
Does Upper Iowa University have student housing?
Yes, UIU provides four residence halls. Garbee Hall is the primary living area for residence hall students. For women, Lee Tower is comprised of 6 suites with 2 suites per floor. Hofmaster Apartments, (for men) is made up of 6 apartments with 2 apartments per floor. Newly opened in Fall 2010 is the South Village Suite style residence housing. This features suite style housing for both men and women.
Visa
What type of U.S. visa should I obtain to study at Upper Iowa?
International students should obtain and enter the United States with an F-1 visa.
What is the SEVIS fee for F-1 applicants?
The I-901 fee of $200 (as of 2009) has been implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This fee must be paid and fully processed prior to your visa interview.
How do I become an F-1 student at Upper Iowa University?
From outside the US
1.) Non-immigrants must:
a.) Apply to, and be accepted by Upper Iowa University, an SEVP certified school.
b.) Be able to pay for the cost of schooling and living expenses while in the United States and furnish proof of sufficient funding to the school. Nonimmigrant students have limited work opportunities, therefore, nonimmigrant students should not expect to work to pay expenses.
c.) Attend school full-time
2.) When Upper Iowa University accepts a nonimmigrant applicant, it issues a Form I-20 for initial attendance. Prospective nonimmigrant students may apply to more than one SEVP-certified school, but must choose one and use the Form I-20 from that school when applying for a visa.
3.) After receiving the Form I-20, the prospective nonimmigrant student must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Please click here for more details.
4.) The prospective nonimmigrant student must then obtain a student visa from an embassy or consulate abroad or, if from a visa exempt country such as Canada or Bermuda, apply for admittance at a U.S. Port of Entry. Please click here for more details.
5.) After obtaining an F-1 or M-1 visa, the prospective student may apply for entry into the United States through a U.S. Port of Entry no more than 30 days prior to the program start date on the student’s Form I-20.
From inside the US, the prospective nonimmigrant student must:
1.) Be in the United States in a valid nonimmigrant status and eligible to change to F-1 or M-1 status (See USCIS website on who may change status).
2.) Be accepted by UIU, receive a Form I-20, and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, as in steps 1 to 3 above.
3.) Use a Form I-539 to apply to USCIS for a change of status.
4.) Receive approval from USCIS for the change of status.
5.) Be prepared to depart the United States immediately if the change of status application is denied.
What does a prospective F-1 nonimmigrant student need to bring to a visa interview?
All applicants for an F-1 student visa must provide:
- Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students.
- A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport.
- An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa applicants.
- A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States
- One (1) 2x2 photograph
- A receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F visa applicants must pay the visa application (MRV) fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
Because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for the same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be changed by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation.
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
- Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
- Financial evidence that shows that the student or sponsoring parents have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. For example, if the student or sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If the student or sponsor owns a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
- Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.)
- It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide is available on the DOS website and on most embassy websites.
During the visa application process, usually at the interview, a quick ink-free fingerprint scan will be taken. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be notified when they apply.
Traveling
What are some tips when traveling to the U.S.?
Hand carry (do not check) the following items: passport, I-20, evidence of financial resources, tuition receipts, transcripts, or letter of acceptance, paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, the name and contact information of your designated school official.
Inform the DHS Officer at the port of entry as soon as possible that you will be a new or returning student in the United States.
Report to Upper Iowa University upon arrival so that your school official can validate your participation in SEVIS.
For more information about traveling, please click here.
Orientation
When should I arrive at UIU?
We recommend that you arrive at least 2-3 days prior to the start of orientation so that you can rest and recover from travel fatigue. Student must be present for ALL orientation sessions.
Where is the nearest Airport?
The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids (319-362-8336). Only students that arrive at CID will be picked up by UIU transport.
Will someone meet me at the Airport?
Yes, this must be coordinated with the Office of International Programs (international@uiu.edu) at least one month in advance. We will run two shuttles per day from CID, usually around 3pm and 10 or 11pm although these times may change depending on students' flight. Please understand that you might have to wait at the airport for a couple hours to be met by the UIU shuttle.
Can you give me directions to get to Upper Iowa University?
Please refer to this UIU map.
Is Orientation mandatory for new international students?
Yes, the international student orientation, advising, and registration days are required for all newly admitted UIU international students. The days consist of check-in at the residence halls (if applicable), a trip to the bank (if applicable), testing, general information session, validation process, visit student services (student ID's, mailbox key, and forms), academic advising session, registration, campus tour, town tour, and discussion about the required health insurance. You must bring your passport and I-20 to orientation sessions and present them to the Office of International Programs in order to become a registered student in the SEVIS system (failure to do so will cause a students' I-20 to be terminated).
Study Abroad
I am interested in study abroad at Upper Iowa, where should I go?
The first step is to visit our webpage. If you would like further advice, please e-mail us at international@uiu.edu and we will answer your questions in a timely fashion.
Requirements
How do I meet the English Language Proficiency requirement?
Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement include:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - institution code: 6885
- Internet-based score - 61 or higher
- Paper-based score - 500 or higher
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Overall band score of 5.0 or higher
- Writing band score of 5.0 or higher
- Overall band score of 5.0 or higher
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
- 69 or higher
- Malaysian University English Test (MUET)
- 4.0 or higher
- ELS® Language Center
- 112 or higher
- SAT - institution code: 6885
- Minimum critical reading sub-score of 430 or higher
- ACT - institution code: 1360
- Minimum English sub-score of 18 or higher
* Test scores must be within the last two calendar years
If you are transferring from a US institution or have been educated in a country where the official language of instruction is English, please contact the Office of International Programs for more information about meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement.
Applicants who do not meet UIU's English Language Proficiency requirement are welcome to apply for our English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Click here for more information about the ESL program.
