51社区

Admitted International Student Next Steps

To join the Bobcat family, you have important next steps to take. Just follow along with the below steps to prepare for a successful start at OHIO. Please check out our virtual visit opportunities to talk with advisors, faculty and students. You can ask questions online, receive a phone call or text, or participate in an online event.

Activate Your OHIO ID

Upon Applying

To get started, it is essential that you activate your OHIO ID. You need your OHIO ID to access your OHIO email and the housing contract. Your birth date and your personal identification (PID) number (provided in your application acknowledgement email) are all you need to officially activate your online OHIO access, including email.

Make sure you check your OHIO email regularly. All official correspondence, including scholarship notification and your I-20 will be sent to your 51社区 email account.

Learn About Your Catmail Email Account

Submit Documents Required for I-20 Issuance

Immediately Upon Admission

To apply for a student visa, you must be issued a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) by the university. This requires you submit financial documentation demonstrating you have the required funds to support your academic and living expenses for a 9-month (2 semester) academic year. Before the I-20 can be issued, you must complete the following steps:

• Complete the Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form. This quick, simple form is required for all admitted students as part of our commitment to providing the safest possible learning environment at OHIO. The form is available online in your and should be completed immediately. The form must be completed, reviewed and cleared before we can issue your form I-20.
• Submit your proof of sufficient funding. Submit the following financial documentation :
  • A current bank statement (checking or savings account) indicating the required available funds (minus any scholarships you have been offered.)
  • A completed International Student Financial Sponsor Form. (Note: The name of the sponsor must match the name on the bank account and must also total at least the required funds shown above.) 

51社区 will not issue an I-20 until this documentation is submitted and reviewed. Please reach out to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at isss@ohio.edu for questions or concerns about this process. 

Learn About the Required Pre-Enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review

Fund Your Education

51社区 is committed to an affordable college education. We are dedicated to helping our students find the financial support they need to discover their promise at OHIO.

International students who begin their studies in fall semester are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. No additional application is necessary. For priority scholarship consideration, submit your completed admission application by the Early Action Deadline of November 15. OHIO may continue to award using updated credentials on an individual basis throughout the year.

Scholarships for International Students

Confirm Your Intent to Enroll

To retain any scholarships you have been offered and receive your invitation to International Student Orientation and Bobcat Student Orientation, you will need to confirm your intent to enroll by:

• Submitting the housing contract and $200 refundable deposit
• OR Submitting the commuter application

Freshman or transfer students with fewer than four semesters or six quarters in the residence halls after high school graduation are required to live on campus and participate in the associated meal plan unless they meet one of the exemption criteria. Completing a housing contract is legally binding for the entire academic year. For other students, submission of the final transcript confirms their intent to enroll. Students who are not required to live on campus may still apply for housing.

You do not need to know where you would like to live on campus to complete a housing contract. After completing the contract and selecting a meal plan, you will receive pertinent information about housing selection. The roommate matching service is available starting December 2. When you know with whom you want to live, you may select a roommate through Housing Self-Service beginning May 1. The general first-year room selection process will take place May 19-22. (Additional selection dates will be made available for students interested in gender inclusive housing and for students who will be participating in an Experiential Living Opportunity, i.e. Fine Arts, Substance Free, Women鈥檚 Leadership and Honors Halls.) Visit the Housing and Residence Life room viewing page to check out each room style.

Submit Your Housing Contract and Deposit

Please note: If you are experiencing technical difficulties accessing the housing contract online, please email Housing and Residence Life for assistance.

Get Details About Living on Campus and Interim Housing

Get Details on Dining

View Housing Exemption Information

Plan Your Visa

Upon Receipt of Your I-20

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will need a visa to study at 51社区. Most students are given an F-1 student visa; the I-20 form attached to your email of admission will help you get this visa. You will need to plan your visa application process early to ensure that you have the time to prepare to come to OHIO. Plan to arrive August 15-17.

Plan Your Visa

Sign Up for International Student Orientation

Beginning in July

All new international students are required to attend International Student Orientation August 18-19. You will receive an email invitation to register for orientation online. Mandatory immigration paperwork check-ins are held during this event. You will be assigned a specific immigration check-in time when you register. You will also attend information sessions on legal, health and safety topics, and take English proficiency or placement tests, if needed.

You will need to arrive before the start of the semester so interim housing is available to you prior to the opening of all the residence halls. Depending on the arrival date, you will have housing accommodations either in the residence hall where you are assigned during the academic year or in a temporary location.  

Learn About International Student Orientation

Sign Up for Bobcat Student Orientation

Beginning in July

For international students who have been unconditionally admitted to OHIO, Bobcat Student Orientation is also required in August (dates coming soon). Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) connects you with the people and resources you'll need to transition into OHIO with confidence. Faculty, staff and orientation leaders will teach you about the curriculum and the requirements for your major. 

Before orientation, you should review the 51社区 Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 (coming soon!) to learn about available courses. Bobcat Student Orientation includes registering for courses and freshman Learning Communities.

Learn More About Bobcat Student Orientation

Submit Final Official Transcripts and Transfer Your Credits

Before Classes Begin

If you provided unofficial academic records to receive an admission decision, you must provide official records prior to your first day of class. Official academic records from every secondary or post-secondary institution you have attended are required, with a certified or attested translation if the original document is not in English. To be considered official, documents must be sent by mail/courier or brought to Undergraduate Admissions in unopened envelopes sealed and stamped by one of the following:

• Your school or university
• Ministry of Education of your home country
• EducationUSA or related binational organization

If you have earned exam credits (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A-levels) or taken previous university coursework, you may be granted college level transfer credit, provided you earn the necessary score. To transfer your credit, you must have an official college transcript or score report sent from the college or testing agency directly to Undergraduate Admissions.

Learn More About Transfer Credit

Make Your Travel Plans

Arrival Dates: August 15-17

To get to Athens, Ohio, you will fly to John Glenn Columbus International Airport. International students should plan to arrive in August.

Get the Details on Arrival

Pay Your Fall Semester Account Balance

August 21

In the MyOHIO Student Center, you can view account details, account balance and payment options. You can also designate authorized users to enable other individuals to view your account details and make payments. 

Information about payment options, including a payment plan, are available from the Bursar's website.

Payment and Billing Info 

Prepare to Join OHIO

Beginning in May

Now you are ready to complete the rest of the tasks required to ensure a smooth transition to your first day at 51社区. This includes reviewing the course catalog, enabling your online services, learning about student health services and insurance, and taking online alcohol and sexual assault education courses.

Get Details on Steps Prior to Beginning Classes