Admitted International Students
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.
| Next Steps | When |
|---|---|
| Activate your Applicant Status Portal | Upon applying |
| Activate your OHIO ID | After being admitted |
| Complete Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form | Immediately upon admission |
| Submit required financial documentation for I-20 issuance | Upon admission |
| Confirm your intent to enroll | Beginning December 1 |
| Review merit scholarship notification | Beginning in December |
| Plan your visa | Upon receipt of your I-20 |
| Send any additional test scores for scholarship consideration | January 15 |
| Select a roommate if you wish | Beginning May 1 |
| Choose a room in general room selection process | Mid-May |
| Begin pre-travel preparations | Beginning late May |
| Sign up for International Student Orientation | Beginning in July |
| Reserve interim housing for International Student Orientation if needed | Beginning in July |
| Sign up for Bobcat Student Orientation | Beginning February 2 |
| Provide final official transcripts and transfer your credits | Before orientation |
| Review student expectations and academic calendar | Before arrival |
| Make travel plans | Arrival August 14-16 |
| Attend International Student Orientation | August |
| Attend Bobcat Student Orientation | Late August |
| Enable OHIO online services | After orientation |
| Complete online alcohol and sexual assault education courses | Upon receiving access to the modules |
| Learn about health services | Late August |
| Start fall semester classes | August 24 |
*A limited number of admitted students may continue to confirm their intent to enroll after May 1, as space permits.
Activate Your Applicant Status Portal
After Applying
After you submit your application for admission, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your applicant status portal. Your applicant status portal is where you’ll find information about required next steps, additional materials required for your application, and invitations to visits and events. Make sure you check your portal regularly to stay up-to-date with OHIO!
Activate Your OHIO ID
After you are admitted, it is essential that you activate your OHIO ID. Your birth date and your personal identification (PID) are all you need to officially activate your online OHIO access. Your PID is available in your applicant status portal after your admission decision is released. You need your OHIO ID to take your next steps, including accessing your OHIO email (Catmail) and confirming your intent to enroll, so we encourage you to activate it right away.
Make sure to check your OHIO email regularly. All official correspondence will be sent to your Ohio University 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 (Form I-20) by the University. To receive your I-20, you must complete all the following steps:
Step 1: Complete the required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form (DCHR)
The Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form is available through your applicant status portal and should be completed immediately upon admission. This form must be reviewed and cleared by the University before an I-20 can be issued.
This brief form is required of all admitted students as part of Ohio University’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment. Disclosure of a formal disciplinary action, charge, or conviction does not automatically disqualify you from enrollment. All disclosures are reviewed individually, and you may be contacted for additional information if needed.
Learn More About the Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review
Step 2: Review requirements for I-20 documentation and submit documents
To be issued an I-20, you must demonstrate ability to support your education and living expenses for the 9-month/two semester academic year (minus any scholarships you have been granted). Review and submit required documents using the information provided on the Obtaining your I-20 web page. Ohio University cannot issue an I-20 until all required financial documentation has been submitted and approved.
Important Information
I-20 forms are issued electronically and can only be sent to your Ohio University email account, as this is the email address reported in your SEVIS record. No exceptions can be made.
Questions?
- For questions about the Applicant Status Portal, DCHR or access to the iCats portal, contact admissions@ohio.edu.
Fund Your Education
Ohio University 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 deadline of November 15, 2025. 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 MyOHIORoomie roommate matching service is available starting December 1. 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 Mid-May. (Additional selection dates will be made available for students interested in mixed housing and for students who will be participating in an Experiential Living Opportunity, i.e. Fine Arts, Substance Free, Women’s 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
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 Ohio University. 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. Watch the Visa Ready Webinar for International Students to learn more about scheduling a visa interview and preparing for the interview.
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 14-16.
Begin Pre-Travel Preparations
Beginning in late May
Once you have scheduled your visa interview it's time to begin pre-planning your travel to Athens! Watch the pre-recorded Pre-Travel Webinar for International Students to learn more about traveling to the U.S. and Athens, Ohio, packing tips, and pre-semester accommodation options.
Sign Up for International Student Orientation
Beginning in July
All new international students are required to attend International Student Orientation in August. 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
For international students who have been unconditionally admitted to OHIO, Bobcat Student Orientation is also required oin late August. 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 Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027 (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
Ohio University recognizes several kinds of transferable credits, including non-traditional credit, such as industry credentials, credit from other institutions and exam credit. 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 14-16
To get to Athens, Ohio, you will fly to John Glenn Columbus International Airport. International students should plan to arrive in August.
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 Ohio University. 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.