Pre-Arrival Information

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of North Georgia! Choose your student status below to request an I-20. If you have not yet applied and been accepted, please view the Admissions Options to get started with the process for applying at ǧ�Ĺ�AV.

Requesting an I-20

The Center for Global Engagement will assist you with receiving the I-20 after you have been accepted for admission to ǧ�Ĺ�AV.
All accepted students (both new and transfer students) need to submit the following to request an I-20:
- Valid passport
- Financial Affidavit
- Supporting Bank Documentation
  - $36,000 for Associates, $43,000 for Bachelors or up to $44,500 for Graduate students
  - Must be in English
  - Does not have to be in U.S. dollars
  - Must be issued/printed within the last six months
  - Can be an official bank statement or statement from bank on signed letterhead
  - Name on the account must match the sponsor signing the affidavit
  - Must be considered liquid assets (checking, savings)

Are you an F-1 transfer student that has been admitted to ǧ�Ĺ�AV?
You will want to start communicating with the international student advisor at your current institution about transferring your SEVIS record to ǧ�Ĺ�AV. It’s important that you start this process as soon as possible.

Follow the steps below to start the process of obtaining an I-20 from ǧ�Ĺ�AV.

Submit a Transfer Clearance Form (PDF). Complete the top section and then send to your current international student advisor.

Submit the following documents to the Center for Global Engagement.

A ǧ�Ĺ�AV Financial Affidavit (PDF)

*If you are a student athlete, you will receive a Financial Affidavit via email with your scholarship information pre-filled.

Supporting bank documentation

$36,000 for Associates, $43,000 for Bachelors or up to $44,500 for Graduate students

I-20 Request Form (PDF)

A copy of your passport

Are you new to F-1 status?
A Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa to attend school in the U.S. Follow the steps below to start the process of obtaining an I-20 from ǧ�Ĺ�AV.

Submit the following documents to the Center for Global Engagement.

A ǧ�Ĺ�AV Financial Affidavit (PDF)

*If you are a student athlete, you will receive a Financial Affidavit via email with your scholarship information pre-filled.

Supporting bank documentation

$36,000 for Associates, $43,000 for Bachelors or up to $44,500 for Graduate students

I-20 Request Form (PDF)

A copy of your passport

Receiving Your I-20

New students: Once you receive your I-20, please review to make sure everything is accurate. Since the I-20 is used to apply for your visa, but does not guarantee a visa, we strongly suggest that you wait to purchase your airplane ticket until you receive a visa. It is important that you plan to arrive no sooner than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20.

The next step is to apply for the F-1 visa. Contact CGE if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in person.

Applying for a Visa

Contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for specific details on how to obtain a visa. The wait time to receive a visa appointment will vary by location; therefore, you are strongly encouraged to apply early. Be prepared to present the following items at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

SEVIS Form DS-2019 (J-1) or Form I-20 (F-1)
(Form DS-160) needs to be completed before the appointment. Bring the DS-160 confirmation receipt to the appointment.
One passport size photograph
Evidence of financial support (These should be the same documents you submitted for admission into ǧ�Ĺ�AV.)
Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond your program start date)

Proof of English-language proficiency
University of North Georgia admission/acceptance letter
receipt (must be paid at least three business days before going to the embassy)
Any additional application materials required by the embassy or consulate in your home country. We recommend that you contact the embassy or consulate prior to your interview to ensure you have everything you need.

Here are some helpful application tips -

Planning for your Arrival

Documents
Upon arrival in the U.S., you must be prepared to show the inspections officer the following documents:
A valid passport

F-1 or J-1 visa entry stamp (unless exempt)

Original ǧ�Ĺ�AV admissions letter

Original financial support documentation

Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by ǧ�Ĺ�AV

Insurance

All international students are required to have international student health insurance. This will be included with your tuition and fees on your BANNER account unless you prove that you have sufficient insurance already.

Transportation

Like many other smaller cities in the United States, there are few to no options for public transportation around the ǧ�Ĺ�AV campuses. Students who sign up for airport transportation for the Dahlonega campus upon arrival and departure will receive transportation from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to the Dahlonega campus during the pre-scheduled times as arranged by CGE. Students and scholars are responsible for finding a method of transportation to and from class and any mandatory orientations. There are a few public transportation options, but they can be costly and do not service a wide area of the region. Many students choose to obtain a Georgia driver's license during their time in the United States.

Housing

Undergraduate Students

On-campus, residential housing is only available to undergraduate students on the Dahlonega campus of ǧ�Ĺ�AV. If you are interested in attending the Gainesville, Cumming, or Oconee campuses, you will live off-campus. While the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) staff cannot be responsible for securing housing for you, the Office of Residence Life has put together a list of resources for students interested in off-campus housing. For undergraduate students whose primary campus is Gainesville, Cumming, or Oconee, please do not secure off-campus housing until after you have registered for New Student Orientation.

Graduate Students

All graduate students must live off-campus. There is no public transportation in Dahlonega or Cumming, so for those without access to a car, the Center for Global Engagement strongly recommends locating housing within walking distance to campus. Please utilize ǧ�Ĺ�AV’s listing to aid in your search. Another option is to check the for other students looking for a roommate or someone to take over their lease.

Classes and Degree Programs

Not all degree programs are offered on all campuses. Please refer to the Degrees & Programs Listing to see which degrees are offered on which campus. You may need to take classes on other campuses or complete a campus and degree level change in order to complete your degree. In addition, you are not guaranteed a class schedule at particular times or locations.

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