Prospective and New Students' Frequently Asked Questions
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. To do this, request an admission packet and application form from the appropriate office. International students should submit the application for admission and all appropriate supporting materials listed for other applicants (including TOEFL results). Certified English translations of all transcripts, certificates, and other documents must be submitted along with the original documents.
Prospective undergraduate students should contact:
The Office of Admissions
Grant House
4 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824
Tel. 603-862-1989
Prospective graduate students should contact:
The Graduate School
Thompson Hall
105 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
Tel. 603-862-3000
Once you have satisfied all admission requirements, have been formally admitted to the University and submitted your enrollment deposit (undergraduates only), the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) will be notified. If you have submitted satisfactory evidence of the required financial resources, the OISS will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility for the appropriate student visa. Otherwise you will be asked to provide additional information or documents. In order to avoid delays in processing, be sure to submit the International Applicant Financial Declaration (included in the application packet) 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 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 required. NOTE: Please do not file an application for a change of status to the INS without consulting the OISS.
Applicants who are overseas will be sent comprehensive instructions on how to apply for a student visa.
All students will be provided with information helpful in preparing for arrival at UNH, including a schedule for the mandatory International Student Orientation program.
Canadian Applicants: Please note that although ties between the U.S. and Canada are very close, you are still considered to be foreign students and thus are subject to the same immigration requirements as other international students.
If you have any questions, whether about student life of immigration matters, please feel free to contact us. If you are currently attending another U.S. institution, please also check with your present international student advisor.
Q. How do I get my visa?
A. Once the OISS receives notice of your acceptance to the University, and you have satisfied all financial requirements, you will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility 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 (i.e. bank statement(s), letter of assistantship, research or scholarship award, affidavit of support from a sponsor). The Consular Officer will inspect all your documents and, if he or she determines that you are indeed eligible, will issue you a visa. (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 tips will be provided with your Certificate of Eligibility.
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. and meet their enrollment requirement, or you will violate your student status. At UNH, this will mean enrolling for at least one semester before being eligible to transfer to another school.
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 tuition scholarships: the International Student Scholarship, the Dean's Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship. All three are merit based awards, and the International Student Scholarship is awarded on the basis of need also. All are partial scholarships, i.e. 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 and if you are selected, will notify you of any awards. For graduate students there are primarily two sources of financial assistance: teaching or research appointments (which may be either full or partial awards) and 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.
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 the employment is part of a graduate assistantship. You must consult the OISS staff before accepting any offer of employment.
Q. Are there international student organizations at UNH?
A. UNH international students currently represent more than 50 countries. The largest populations of students hail from China, India and Canada. Check our UNH Links page for popular organizations, or 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. Because federal regulations state that you must attend the school listed on your I-20/DS-2019.
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 the 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, the Form I-20/DS-2019 may be picked up from OISS upon your arrival on campus.
