Questions at a glance:

Want to be a UNH student?
Where to get your visa
Which school to attend?
Financial aid opportunities
Is employment permitted?
Multicultural organizations
Changing your status
Transferring to UNH

Q. How do I, or my international friend, become a UNH student?

A. The first step is to gain admission to the University of New Hampshire.

♦ Prospective ESL Institute students should contact ESL.

♦ Prospective undergraduate students should contact:

The Office of Admissions
Smith Hall
3 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824
Tel. 603-862-1360

♦ Prospective graduate students should contact:

The Graduate School
Thompson Hall
105 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
Tel. 603-862-3000

♦ In order to avoid delays in processing, be sure to submit the International Applicant Financial Declaration with your application for admission and pay attention to the types of documents you are required to attach.

♦ Students in F-1 or J-1 visa classification who are enrolled in a program elsewhere in the U.S., either in high school or at a university or college, must complete and submit an International Student Transfer Form as part of a formal immigration transfer procedure.

♦ Students who are in the U.S. in a non-student visa classification will be given information and assistance on changing to an alternate visa classification, if necessary.

Canadian Applicants: (Although ties between the U.S. and Canada are very close), please note that you are still considered to be foreign students and thus are subject to the same immigration requirements as other international students.

Top

Q. How do I get my visa?

A. Once OISS receives notice of your acceptance to the University, and you have satisfied all financial requirements, you will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) for a student visa.

♦ You will be required to present this document to the Consular Officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, along with your valid passport, letter of admission to UNH and all financial documentation such as; bank statement(s), letter of assistantship, research or scholarship award, affidavit of support from a sponsor.

(CANADIAN CITIZENS: You are exempt from visa requirements, but you are still required to present your Certificate of Eligibility at the U.S. point of entry so that you can be admitted in the appropriate visa classification.)

♦ Detailed instructions and information will be provided with your Certificate of Eligibility.

Top

Q. What if I receive a Certificate of Eligibility from
more than one university?

A. You must report to the school whose I-20 or DS-2019 you used to enter the U.S. or you will violate your student status.

Top

Q. What financial aid is available to international students?

A. Although aid for international students is quite limited, there are a number of opportunities available.

♦ For undergraduate students there are primarily three available scholarships:

1. The International Student Scholarship

2. The Dean's Scholarship

3. The Presidential Scholarship

All three are merit based awards, The International Student Scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit and need.

All are partial scholarships so they will not cover the full cost of your tuition.

The Admissions Office, while evaluating your application for admission, will determine your eligibility for these scholarships. If you are selected, they will notify you of any awards.

♦ For graduate students there are primarily two sources of financial assistance:

1. Teaching or research appointments (which may be either full or partial awards)

2. Tuition scholarships

♦ You will be asked to indicate your interest in these awards on your application to the Graduate School.

♦ Check out our resource page for links to other sources of financial aid.

Top

Q. Will I be allowed to work while I'm a student?

A. Employment opportunities for international students are limited and regulated by U.S. immigration regulations.

♦ You should not expect to support yourself by working, unless employment is part of a graduate assistantship.

♦ You must consult the OISS staff before accepting any offer of employment.

Top

Q. Are there international student organizations at UNH?

A. For a comprehensive list see the Student Organizations homepage.

Q. I'm already in the U.S. in another status. Do I need to change my immigration status?

A. Many non-immigrant categories allow for either part-time or full-time study. They usually do not allow for any type of employment or other benefits associated with student status.

♦For more detailed information, and to determine whether a change of status is needed in your case, please Click here for more detailed information and instructions.

Q. I'm already attending another school in the U.S. and have an I-20/DS-2019. Why do I need a new one?

A. Federal regulations state that you must attend the school listed on your I-20/DS-2019.

Top

Q. How do I transfer to UNH from another U.S. school?

A. First, contact the appropriate office for admission information. Once you are offered admission to UNH, you will be issued a new Form I-20/DS-2019.

♦ To facilitate the issuance of this document, you must provide the following to the OISS:

• a completed UNH International Student Transfer Form
• copy of Form I-20/DS-2019 from the previous school
• copy of passport page with the U.S. student visa
• front and back copies of Form I-94
• financial documentation to cover the cost of attendance at UNH for one academic year (bank letters or statements, official fellowship/scholarship/assistantship letters, affidavits of support, etc.)

♦ You will receive the new Form I-20/DS-2019 by mail if you are leaving the U.S. prior to beginning your studies here. Otherwise, Form I-20/DS-2019 may be picked up from OISS upon your arrival on campus.

Top