Admitted International Students
Admitted International Student Next Steps
To join the Bobcat family, admitted international students have important next steps to take. Just read all of the information about each of the 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 OHIO ID | Upon applying |
| Complete Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review Form | Immediately Upon Request |
| Confirm your intent to enroll/submit housing contract and deposit | Beginning December 1 |
| Plan your visa | Upon admission |
| Send any additional test scores for scholarship consideration | By January 15 |
| Review financial aid offer | Beginning mid-February |
| Select a roommate if you wish | Beginning May 1 |
| Choose a room in general room selection process | May 22–26 |
| Request final transcript be sent to OHIO | By June 30 |
| Reserve interim housing if needed | Beginning June 30 |
| Sign up for International Student Orientation | Beginning in July |
| Sign up for Bobcat Student Orientation | Beginning in July |
| Transfer your credits | Before orientation |
| Review student expectations and academic calendar | Before arrival |
| Make travel plans | Arrival August 11-13 |
| Attend International Student Orientation | August 14 |
| Pay fall semester account balance | August 21 |
| Attend Bobcat Student Orientation | August 24-25 |
| Enable OHIO online services | After orientation |
| Complete online alcohol and sexual assault education courses | July - August |
| Learn about health services | Late August |
| Start fall semester classes | August 28 |
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 letter) are all you need to officially activate your online OHIO access, including email.
Make sure you check your OHIO email regularly. All official correspondence will be sent to your Ohio University email account.
Learn about your Catmail email account
Complete Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review
Immediately Upon Request
This quick, simple form is required for all admitted students as part of our commitment to providing the safest possible learning environment at Ohio University. The Required Pre-enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review form is available in your MyOHIO Student Center and should be completed immediately. Disclosing a formal disciplinary action, charge or conviction does not automatically disqualify you from enrollment, but your disclosures will be reviewed. Based on your answers, we may contact you to request further information. Until your form is completed, reviewed and cleared for enrollment, we are unable to issue your form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status) and you will be ineligible to register for classes.
Learn about the Required Pre-Enrollment Discipline and Criminal History Review
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 may be considered for merit-based scholarships. Your application for admission serves as your merit-based scholarship application. For priority scholarship consideration, international students should submit a 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.
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.
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. There is no deadline to accept your Ohio University admission.
Our beautiful, historic, residential campus provides an environment where students of diverse backgrounds live and learn together, build friendships and share their ideas and perspectives. More than 7,000 students live in our 30+ residence halls and dine in our award-winning campus eateries. Housing and Residence Life provides all the comforts you expect, along with creative programs to enhance the academic, social, cultural, recreational and service aspects of your life.
Students do not need to know where they would like to live on campus to complete a housing contract. After completing the application and selecting a meal plan, students will receive pertinent information about housing selection. The MyOHIORoomie roommate matching service is available starting December 1. Students who know with whom they want to live may select a roommate through Housing Self-Service beginning May 1. The general first-year room selection process will take place May 22–26. (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’s Leadership and Honors Halls.) Visit the Housing and Residence Life room viewing page to check out each room style.
Interim housing is available to international students who arrive before the start of the semester. 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.
Submit your housing CONTRACT and deposit
Please note: If you are experiencing technical difficulties accessing the housing contract online, you may complete the PDF housing contract and submit it to housing@ohio.edu.
Get details about living on campus and interim housing
View housing exemption information
Plan Your Visa
Upon Admission
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 in your admission packet 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 11-13.
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.
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. 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 2023-2024 (coming soon!) to learn about available courses. Bobcat Student Orientation includes registering for courses and freshman Learning Communities.
Learn more about Bobcat Student Orientation
Transfer Your Credits
Before Orientation
Generally, college-level courses completed with a D- or better from a regionally accredited institution as part of College Credit Plus or dual enrollment programs through a high school are transferable to OHIO. Test credit (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program) is also generally accepted, 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 11-13
To get to Athens, Ohio, you will fly to John Glenn Columbus International Airport. International students should plan to arrive August 11-13.
Review pre-arrival communications
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.