Ohio Wesleyan University | International Student Admission

Extra fees are charged for certain meal plans, room options, curriculums and/or extracurricular activities For a complete list please check http://intladm.owu.edu/annualExpenses.html .

Number of International Students

Ohio Wesleyan’s student body of fewer than 2,000 students includes nine percent international students from more than 40 countries.

What's the Weather Like?

Ohio has four very distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. All four seasons can bring out some of the most beautiful and magnificent display of colors in nature and provide a variety of recreational options.

Scholarships

There are two kinds of awards: Merit based awards (Presidential, Trustee and Faculty) and Need Based Aid. Awards are based on both academic accomplishments and financial need.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program?

No. OWU does not have an ESL Program. It is expected that all incoming international students would have acquired a certain level of English proficiency in order to benefit from our rigorous academic programs.

Work while Studying

Yes. You are allowed to work on campus for a limited number of hours when school is in session and full-time during summer. F-1 students are prohibited by the U.S. non-immigrant law to work off-campus.

International Student

If you are not an American citizen, permanent resident, or refugee/asylee in the U.S., you would be considered an international student.

Affidavit of Support

If you plan to support yourself, you will still need to provide proof of funding for your educational expenses at OWU.

Official Documents in English/Original Language

Documents should be submitted in English or in the original language accompanied by a certified literal translation.

Secondary School Transcript

Official or original attested copies of academic records from all secondary schools, universities or other post-secondary institutions you have attended should be included. For more information and specifications of the reports, please check http://intladm.owu.edu/supportingMaterialsRequiredForAdmission.html

TOEFL/IELTS

If English is not your native langauge, official or original attested copies of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Langauge Testing System (IELTS) should be submitted as evidence of your proficiency in English.

Sufficient Proof of English Proficiency

We evaluate each applicant case by case. If you have studied at a U.S. high school for less than three years, you should take an English proficiency test. That would be a good alternative measure of your English proficiency especially if your verbal score on the SAT results is below 500.

SAT/ACT Scores

SAT and/or ACT score reports are required of all applicants unless the test is not available in your country.

Examination Results

We take into consideration any local external examination that you have taken during the admission evaluation process. These results include such tests as O-levels, IB, IGCSE, ICSE, SPM, KCSE, and others that are administered by an educational examining board. We cannot accept faxed or plain copies of these records. Records should be submitted in English or in the original language accompanied by a certified literal translation and should contain an explanation of the grading system.

Photocopies of Transcripts

No. We generally do not accept photocopies of any transcripts. Exceptions may be granted under certain circumstances that are out of the applicant’s control. Permission to send photocopies may be granted only after a complete evaluation of the situation at the admission counselor’s discretion.

TOEFL Score

There are many things that the Committee looks for when considering a student’s application to the University. English proficiency is only one of them. The result of your TOEFL test alone would not determine your admission eligibility. However, if your test result is far below our minimum requirement, you should consider enrolling in an intensive English program before applying to Ohio Wesleyan University.

Obtaining a Visa

After you have submitted your decision form and your deposit, two additional documents need to be completed and submitted before OWU can issue your SEVIS I-20 : International Student Certification of Finances 2008-2009 (123k PDF*)and I-20 Issuance Form (34k PDF*). For more information please check http://intladm.owu.edu/admittedStudents.html.

I-20

Upon receiving the tuition deposit, I-20 Issuance Form and updated Certification of Finances. It generally takes about one business day for the I-20 to be issued. It will take a week during our most busiest time.

Updated Certification of Finances

Yes. Ohio Wesleyan University is required to obtain proof of funds from its students before the I-20 is issued. Often time, accepted international students are offered some financial assistance. Student should use the form to update us how they will contribute to the remaining cost of attending the University. It is also very important for you to read the instructions before submitting this form. The issuance of the I-20 will be delayed if the form is incorrectly filled out.

Issue I-20 before Proof

No. The student has to submit all required documents before the I-20 can be issued.

Transfer to OWU/New I-20

Yes. You will need an I-20 from us. You will need to have your current school transfer you to OWU on SEVIS before the I-20 can be issued. The appropriate form will be sent to you for SEVIS transfer once you have indicated you are attending Ohio Wesleyan University.

Sponsored by Government

You will need to provide official documents that indicate you are being sponsored by your government and for how much.

Sevis Fee Information

Who must pay the SEVIS Fee?

You will need to pay the SEVIS fee if you were issued a Form I-20 on or after September 1, 2004 AND one of the following conditions applies:

You are seeking an F-1 or F-3 visa from a United States embassy or consulate for first-time attendance in a language training program. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE visa issuance.

You hold a valid F-1 or F-3 visa, have been absent from the United States for a period of more than 5 months (not working on your studies during this time with the prior approval of your school), and will re-enter the U.S. for a new program of study. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE re-entry to the U.S.

As a resident of a contiguous territory or adjacent island, you are exempt from the visa requirement (for example, you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda), and will apply for admission at port-of-entry to begin initial attendance at a U.S. school. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE entry to the U.S.

F-2 visa holders, the spouse and dependents of the F-1 visa holder, are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. See the section entitled "A Note About Processing Times" for further important fee payment considerations.

How much is the SEVIS fee and how do I pay it?

The SEVIS fee is US$ 100. This fee is separate from and in addition to the visa application fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid by the Internet or by mail. It cannot be paid at a U.S. embassy or consulate and it cannot be paid at port of entry.

The fee can be paid by one of two means:

Electronically, by completing a form I-901 through the Internet and using a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card. Click here to access the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Web site.

By mail, by submitting Form I-901, Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants, together with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency. Sources for such checks and money orders include banks chartered or operated in the U.S., foreign subsidiaries of U.S. banks, or foreign banks that have an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank.

A third party such as a friend, family member, or other interested party can pay the fee on your behalf through the same means described above.

The fee payment method makes it possible for non-immigrant students and exchange visitors around the world to pay the fee, in their home countries' currencies using the Western Union Quick Pay service.

Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the US or renew my visa?

The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.

If I have already paid the SEVIS fee for one school, and then decide to attend another, do I have to pay the fee again?

If you have been accepted to more than one institution and paid the fee using the SEVIS ID number of an institution you will not be attending, you will not have to pay the fee again. Bring the I-20s of both the school for which you paid the fee and the school you will be attending, as well as your SEVIS fee payment receipt, to the consulate or port-of-entry (if you are applying for a visa, you should bring both of the I-20s back to the consulate).

Is the SEVIS fee refundable if I am denied a visa?

Once paid, the SEVIS fee is non-refundable, unless paid by mistake, even if your visa is denied or, subsequent to issuance of the visa, you choose not to come to the United States.

If you applied for an F-1 or F-3 visa and paid the SEVIS fee within the last year but were denied a visa, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again as long as you re-apply for the same kind of program within 12 months of the initial denial.

Will the Department of Homeland Security keep a record of my payment on file?

Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record, but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.

What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?

Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from a DHS-approved school.
Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians, should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school I-20 form with your application.

A Note About Processing Times and Payment Verification

If you pay the SEVIS fee by Internet, your payment is processed immediately and you can print a receipt directly from your computer at the time you make payment. This computer-generated receipt can be used to verify you have paid the fee at an embassy, consular post, or port of entry. Mailing the SEVIS fee does not constitute payment. The fee is processed when it is received by DHS. If you mail your payment rather than pay on the Internet, it can take a considerable amount of time for payment to be received and for you to receive a receipt by return mail.

Whether you choose to pay the fee by the Internet or by mail, a paper receipt will be mailed to the address you provide on Form I-901. You may choose to have this receipt sent to you either by regular mail or, at an additional charge, by express delivery.

A paper receipt is not required in order for you to be issued a visa or to be admitted at the port of entry. Embassies and consular posts will be able to verify your fee payment without a receipt in most circumstances if you pay the fee far enough in advance of your visa interview. Electronic payments must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of the interview if you will rely on electronic fee verification at the consulate. Mailed payments must be sent in a manner that assures arrival at the DHS address listed on the I-901 at least 3 business days before the scheduled interview.

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