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International Students and Scholars
328 O'Dowd Hall
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-3358
Fax: (248) 370-3351
isso@oakland.edu
Future Undergraduate Students
Step 2: Complete the online application up to 12 months before you would like to begin classes. Please submit your completed application for the desired term by the following deadlines:
- Fall semester — by July 1
- Winter semester — by November 1
- Summer semester — by March 1
Step 4: Submit required transcripts and other requirements based on your application type.
Freshman Applicants: A freshman applicant is a student who is currently attending or has graduated secondary school (high school) but has not yet attended a college, university or vocational institution. The minimum U.S. equivalent GPA required is a 2.5 or higher. Grades from your country will be converted to their U.S. equivalent.
Transfer or Second Degree Applicants: Please have your official college transcript(s) mailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from each U.S. college or university you have attended. The transcript must bear the seal of the institution and must not be stamped "issued to student." If you have attended an institution outside of the U.S. you must submit a course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts from either World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. The required minimum U.S. equivalent GPA is a 2.5 or higher. Note that Oakland University cannot issue an I-20 or DS-2019 until your previous school has released your SEVIS record.
Graduate Applicants: Please visit graduate admissions.
Step 2: You may apply online up to 12 months before you would like to begin classes. Please submit your completed application for the desired term by the following deadlines:
- Fall semester — by July 1
- Winter semester — by November 1
- Summer semester — by March 1
Freshman Applicants: A freshman applicant is a student who is currently attending or has graduated secondary school (high school) but has not yet attended a college, university or vocational institution. The minimum U.S. equivalent GPA required is a 2.5 or higher. Grades from your country will be converted to their U.S. equivalent. Please submit your high school transcripts by mail or email to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If you have attended a high school outside of the U.S. and instruction was not in English, please submit a literal English translated copy with a transcript from your institution.
Transfer or Second Degree Applicants: Please have your official college transcript(s) mailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from each U.S. college or university you have attended. The transcript must bear the seal of the institution and must not be stamped "issued to student." If you have attended an institution outside of the U.S. you must submit a course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts from either World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. The required minimum U.S. equivalent GPA is a 2.5 or higher.
Graduate Applicants: Please visit graduate admissions.
Step 4: Submit a copy of your current visa, permanent resident card, or employment authorization document to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Step 5: If your native language is not English, you must provide proof of English language proficiency. For more information, click on the " English Proficiency" tab above.
Students
Note:
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To transfer your SEVIS records:
- Complete and submit Part I to your current educational institution, who will complete Part II and submit the form to ISSO.
- Follow up with your current schools regarding the SEVIS transfer.
If you admitted late and are not traveling outside of the United States, a new I-20 will be available at the mandatory orientation or during the first week of the semester. Discuss your travel plans with your international student adviser at the transferring school so that an appropriate "transfer out" date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.
Transfer SEVIS record after graduation:
F-1 students: You are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following your program completion. If you are authorized for OPT you can request a SEVIS record transfer during your OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date.
J-1 students: Please consult your international student adviser.
OPT authorization:
If you are currently authorized for OPT, choose carefully when deciding what date you would like your SEVIS record transferred to your new school. OPT authorization ends on the "transfer out" date, even if the EAD card is not yet expired. If you plan to work between programs while on OPT, coordinate with your international student adviser at both schools to determine an appropriate "transfer out" date.
Eligibility
- Students who are admitted and have submitted all necessary documents to Oakland University.
- Students who are currently maintaining their F-1or J-1 status either as a student or on Optional Practical Training (OPT). If your current SEVIS record is not active, please contact the ISSO before requesting the transfer of your non-immigrant status.
- Students who begin the new program within five months of the end of the course of study at the current school or end of the authorized OPT period. Example: If you completed your bachelor's degree at your former school on May 14, you must request and receive a SEVIS transfer no later than July 13 and you must begin your new program no later than Oct. 13.
- Students who have requested transfer no later than the end of the student’s grace period; otherwise the student is considered to be “out of status” and may have to apply for reinstatement.
- F-1 students: The SEVIS record has to be transferred within the 60-day grace period following your completion of study or practical training.
- J-1 students: The SEVIS record has to be transferred within the 30-day grace period following your completion of study or academic training.
- Apply through the appropriate Admissions Office, submitting all necessary documents including the supplemental packet with Transfer-In form.
- Take the International Student Transfer form to an Immigration Coordinator in a previous institution.
- The Designated School Official at your current school enters the transfer request in the SEVIS and sets the release date.
The SEVIS release date is the date on which your non-immigrant record will be electronically transferred to Oakland University. The release date should be determined according to your circumstances and needs. - An I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued on or after the release date indicated on the International Student Transfer form. The new I-20 or DS-2019 will be mailed to you at the address on the admission application or given at the orientation.
- To travel outside the U.S. before starting your new program, you should enter the U.S. on your new I-20 or DS-2019.
- You do not need to apply for a new visa as long as your current visa is still valid. However, the SEVIS ID Number on the visa must match the SEVIS ID Number on your new I-20/ DS-2019.
- Fill out the top portion of the transfer-out form, sign and give it to the international office of the transferring university. They will fill out the bottom portion and fax it to us. This form is located on the ISSO forms page.
- Submit a proof of admission to the new institution.
- Schedule an appointment with an international adviser to make sure that we received all the documents and were able to transfer the SEVIS record.
- Allow one week for processing. Please note: after the transfer-out date Oakland University will no longer have access to your SEVIS record.
- If you are registered for a future semester at OU do not forget to withdraw from your courses and fulfill any financial obligations with the University before you transfer to your new school or leave the U.S.
- Contact the new school's International Admissions office to arrange when and how to receive your new I-20.
F-1 students may stay in the U.S. in between transfer if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed. If the period between programs is longer than five months, your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.
Speak with the international student adviser at your current school to request that your SEVIS record will be electronically released from your current school to Oakland University. Once the SEVIS record is released and all other admissions materials have been submitted and accepted, your file is sent to the ISSO where we will process and send you your new I-20.
If you admitted late and are not traveling outside of the United States, a new I-20 will be available at the mandatory orientation or during the first week of the semester. Discuss your travel plans with your international student adviser at the transferring school so that an appropriate "transfer out" date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.
Transfer SEVIS record after graduation
F-1 students: You are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following your program completion. If you are authorized for OPT you can request a SEVIS record transfer during your OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date.
J-1 students: Please consult your international student adviser.
OPT authorization
If you are currently authorized for OPT, choose carefully when deciding what date you would like your SEVIS record transferred to your new school. OPT authorization ends on the "transfer out" date, even if the EAD card is not yet expired. If you plan to work between programs while on OPT, coordinate with your international student adviser at both schools to determine an appropriate "transfer out" date.
Eligibility
- Students who are admitted and have submitted all necessary documents to Oakland University.
- Students who are currently maintaining their F-1or J-1 status either as a student or on Optional Practical Training (OPT). If your current SEVIS record is not active, please contact the ISSO before requesting the transfer of your non-immigrant status.
- Students who begin the new program within five months of the end of the course of study at the current school or end of the authorized OPT period. Example: If you completed your bachelor's degree at your former school on May 14, you must request and receive a SEVIS transfer no later than July 13 and you must begin your new program no later than Oct. 13.
- Students who have requested transfer no later than the end of the student’s grace period; otherwise the student is considered to be “out of status” and may have to apply for reinstatement
- F-1 students: The SEVIS record has to be transferred within the 60-day grace period following your completion of study or practical training.
- J-1 students: The SEVIS record has to be transferred within the 30-day grace period following your completion of study or academic training.
Status
An immigration adviser will set up three sessions to:
First Appointment
- Make copies of immigration paperwork:
- Passport
- Visa
- I-94 card
- OU admissions letter
- Identify current immigration status and timeline
- Review COS process and forms
- Verify financial support
- Verify OU student status
- Explain process to pay SEVIS fee
- Generate I-20
- Receive check for SEVIS fee
- Review all support documentation
- Finalize the COS packet
- Ready the COS packet for mailing by the student
If you are a graduate assistant, you cannot begin working until your change of status is approved. For B-1 visa holders, ISSO will issue a COS I-20 and advise you on your next step.
& Costs
- $795.75 per credit hour for undergraduate students with fewer than 56 credits
- $853.25 per credit hour for undergraduate students with 56 or more credits
International students who are citizens of Canada and Mexico may qualify for the Non-Resident Award from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The scholarship allows students to pay in-state tuition rates. Learn more on the general scholarships website.
Estimated Tuition and Living Expenses
Tuition and expenses illustrated below are for fall and winter semesters, based on a 12-14 credit schedule per semester. Students who plan to enroll in summer courses should plan for additional financial support.
| Description | International Undergraduate | Canadian/Mexican Undergraduate |
| Tuition (out-of-state) | $19,788 | $7,860* |
| Living Expenses | $13,341 | $13,406 |
| School Supplies & Misc | $2,778 | $2,482 |
| Medical Insurance | $1,693 | $1,557 |
| TOTAL | $37,600 | $25,305 |
*Students with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of admission may qualify for the Non-Resident Award, which would cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. The rate on this chart reflects this award.
Dependents
Add 6,500 USD (including insurance) per year for the first dependent and 3,400 USD per year for each additional dependent who will accompany you. (A dependent is a spouse of any age or a child 20 years of age or younger.)
Special Note: Tuition shown above is subject to change at the discretion of the university.
Proficiency
Admission
One of the following constitutes proof:
1. | TOEFL | 550 minimum on paper-based TOEFL |
|
| 213 minimum on computer-based TOEFL |
|
| 79 minimum on internet-based TOEFL |
2. | MELAB | 77 minimum |
| 3. | IELTS | 6.5 minimum |
4. | 24 transferable credits, excluding ESL course work, from a U.S. community college or baccalaureate institution | |
5. | A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university | |
6. | One year of study and a diploma from a U.S. high school | |
Some programs at Oakland University may require a higher level of proficiency than listed above. Applicants should examine the program description for their field of study for information about additional English proficiency requirements and furnish proof as part of the admission process (oakland.edu/futurestudents).
Admission with ESL course work
One of the following constitutes proof: | ||
1. | TOEFL | 520-549 on paper-based TOEFL |
|
| 192-212 on computer-based TOEFL |
|
| 69-78 on internet-based TOEFL |
2. | MELAB | 73-76 |
| 3. | IELTS | 6 |
Students must register for ESL courses as part of their course work starting in their first semester of registration. ESL placement is done by the English as a Second Language Center (ESL Center) using the Institutional TOEFL and other assessment tools. Upon completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence, students’ English Proficiency will be evaluated using the Institutional TOEFL to determine whether additional ESL coursework is necessary to achieve English Proficiency. The individualized ESL instruction sequence designed by the ESL Center is not negotiable.
Satisfactory completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence is expected within one year, but ESL coursework is required until minimum proficiency is demonstrated.
Admission to intensive English program
Prospective students who do not have adequate English Proficiency for admission or admission with ESL coursework to the university can be admitted to the Intensive English Program. ESL placement is done by the English as a Second Language Center (ESL Center) using the Institutional TOEFL and other assessment tools. Upon completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence, students’ English Proficiency will be evaluated using the Institutional TOEFL to determine whether additional ESL coursework is necessary to achieve English Proficiency. The Individualized ESL instruction sequence designed by the ESL Center is not negotiable.
Upon completion of the Intensive English Program, students may (re)apply for admission to Oakland University; applicants are evaluated using the admission criteria described above.
* A native language is a language that is acquired naturally during childhood and is usually spoken at home, as opposed to a language that is learned later in life, for example as a part of a person’s formal education. Students whose native language is not English are encouraged to visit the English as a Second Language Center to discuss any language difficulties they may have while attending Oakland University.
Dependents
Oakland University welcomes any individual on a valid F-2 visa to benefit from part time study even if their F-1 visa holder attends another institution. Academic study as a degree-seeking candidate at OU will require an F-2 student to meet all university and departmental admissions requirements.
F-2 study guidelines:
- F-2 students may study part time in either a non-degree or degree-seeking status.
Definition of Part Time Study at OU:
- Undergrad 11 credits or fewer per semester
- Grad/Phd 7 credits or fewer per semester
- ESL Institute 3 courses or fewer per semester
* Note: Summer I & Summer II = one semester
Applying Out-of-Country
The F-2 applicant and the F-1 visa holder must work first with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to obtain an F-2 I-20 (unless F-1 visa holder is from another institution) before applying for admission to Oakland University. The F-1 visa holder must provide a marriage certificate translated in English, proof of additional funding, and the ISSO F-2 Dependent Form. Once the I-20 is obtained, the F-2 visa holder will submit an online admission application, required admission documentation, copy of a valid passport and a copy of a valid F-2 I-20 to the graduate or undergraduate admission office or directly to the ESL Institute for ESL courses.
Applying In-Country
The F-2 visa holder will submit an online admission application, required admission documentation, copy of a valid passport, and a copy of a valid F-2 I-20 to the graduate or undergraduate admission office or to the ESL Institute.
Maintenance of status: Students will not be able to count the F-2 status towards the 8 months requirement for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). An F-2 will only be allowed to take part time study towards a degree. Individuals in F-2 status may not accept employment on or off campus or engage in business under any circumstances.
Change of Status: An F-2 student may engage in a full course of study and employment only by applying for and obtaining a change of status to F-1. Please contact the ISSO to schedule an appointment only after you have received your Admission letter. Contact ISSO at isso@oakland.edu for more information.
Other Important Distinctions:
- F-2 students (no matter country of origin) pay out of state tuition for credit courses
- ESL rates apply for ESL continuing education units (CEU)
- Students studying on F-2 status do not qualify for scholarships
- F-2 students can take online classes; there are no immigration-related restriction for either online or distance-education instruction
- An F-2 child may only engage in full time study for elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade)
