Studying in the USA is a once-in-life and transformative experience for students. USA offers access to world-class education, diverse cultures, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth
Step-by-step process for study in USA
Step 1: Choose a Program and University/Institution:-
- Remember to choose a degree program in USA or a program leading to a degree eventually because post-study work permit (OPT) is available for degree graduates.
- Try to choose a STEM designated program that makes graduates eligible for 1+2 years OTP.
- While choosing your program/institution consider factors like program quality, faculty, campus facilities, and location. Popular rankings include U.S. News & World Report, QS Rankings, and Times Higher Education.
- The biggest admission intake is September. Other major intake is January. May is another intake but it is minor.
- Ensure you meet admission requirement and any specific prerequisites for your program.
- Many U.S. universities require standardized test scores like: SAT/ACT for undergraduate programs, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs, while many universities don’t require such tests.
- Study in USA also requires an English test such as TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo. Some institutions requires high scores while some are there where IELTS requirement is as low as 6 bands overall even for PG admission or Duolingo 110, PTE 52, TOEFL 79 can help you meet the language requirement at certain places in USA.
- While applying to USA institutions, you’ll need transcripts, 2-3 recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and sometimes a portfolio (for creative fields). Some institutions ask for financial documents at this stage. Students need to show funds that cover one year tuition fee & living expenses in USA. This requirement is further explained in step 3.
- There is also some application fees like anything 50 USD$ or more of less to apply some institutions and there is no application fee at many institutions.
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- Once you receive the offer/admit, check if there is any deposit to pay to confirm the admit. Usually it is a minimal payment ranging from 50 USD to anything 1000 USD or more, depending upon university/institution.
- Many institutions ask for financial documents at this stage. Students need to show funds that cover one year tuition fee & living expenses in USA. Depending upon the tuition fee of University this amount varies from 20 lakhs INR to 40 lakhs or more university fee is very high. Students need to show this amount in the form of bank statement or some Universities accept balance certificates as well. The acceptable funds are funds in bank/FDR or education loan.
- Check annual tuition fees, it varies significantly by school and program, ranging from a few thousand dollars for public universities to tens of thousands at private institutions.
- For USA best thing is that students have to pay the tuition fees after the visa approval. It can be either a semester fee or an annual fees. Institutions provide a specific time/ deadline for such payment after visa.
- Look for an scholarships & financial aid you have received as there are merit-based scholarships, need-based aid, or assistantships (for graduate students). Some scholarships are applied automatically while you need to apply separately for some other.
- Receive the I20 form from the institution, these day you receive online & take its print out to bring to interview.
- After you receive an I-20 form from the institution, you must pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee, 350 USD and keep the receipt as proof of payment.
- After this complete the DS-160 form: This is the online application form for a U.S. visa. You can fill it out on the U.S. Department of State’s website. After completion, you’ll get a confirmation page that you need to print and bring to your interview.
- After DS 160 form submission, schedule an appointment for a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. It’s best to apply well in advance as wait times for interviews vary highly in India. There is a site US travel docs, where you have to create an account, you the visa fee, 185 usd, and schedule the appointment.
- Prepare for the Interview and gather all necessary documents as mentioned below.
- A valid passport.
- Form I-20 from the school.
- Proof of SEVIS fee payment.
- DS-160 confirmation page.
- Visa application fee receipt.
- Passport-sized photos as per U.S. visa requirements.
- Financial evidence showing you have enough funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs in the U.S.
- Transcripts, test scores (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, GRE), and other academic documents.
- Attend the biometrics appointment and Visa Interview at two different days, and if visa is approved, your visa will be stamped into your passport, and you’ll be notified when it’s ready for pickup. Be sure to check the validity of your visa and any entry restrictions.
- Once you have the visa, you can travel to the U.S. to begin your studies. Keep in mind, you can only enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date.
- Once you have the visa, book your flight to the U.S. You are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of your program, as stated on your I-20 form.
- Pack your documents for your travel like your passport, F-1 visa, I-20 form, SEVIS fee payment receipt, and financial proof. Make sure you know the address where you’ll be staying in USA (e.g., dorms, apartment, or host family) for the immigration officer if he asks such question on the arrival.
- Attend pre-arrival orientation if any, this include information about immigration procedures, health insurance, or cultural adjustment. Ensure you understand your school’s health insurance policy or arrange for health coverage if needed.
- Keep track on your emails and student account, if any, to know about notifications for full-time enrollment requirements, work restrictions, and other details.
- If you are changing your address in USA, you must report any address changes to your school and the U.S. government through SEVIS within 10 days of moving.
Institutions in USA accepting applications without IELTS (on the basis of MOI)
- City university of seattle
- Alliant International
- Bay Atlantic
- Westcliff
- Northwood
- Fisher College – MBA
- Middle Tennessee state university
How to apply USA-Study-Visa (F1) - Flowchart
Post I-20 / Part-2 / F1 Visa process
- After Receiving Form I-20: Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (USD$ 350) at https://www.fmjfee.com. The amount is non-refundable and is paid by credit card with international payment facility enabled. You must have billing address of the credit card and email ID of card holder available with you.
- Apply for the F-1 student visa (Fill and submit DS-160 form) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/.Make sure you have some details and documents ready before you such as your passport and I 20 form, and details such as your parents’ names, DOB and address, your sponsor details like name, email id, address and phone number, and details of your 2 points of contacts in India like your friends/colleagues/neighbors etc., their name, address, relationship with you, phone number and email ID. These details will help you to fill your DS – 160 from in one-go, and don’t forget to review your DS form before you finally submit it.
- Pay the visa fee, USD$ 185 and make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the student’s home country. https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-2. The visa fees, USD$ 185, is non-refundable and can be paid by UPI, Credit/Debit Card or over the counter at Citi Bank. The MRV fee payment gets processed within 24 hours from the time payment was made . You will receive an email notification with a PDF attachment acknowledging the payment made for your application. Please keep this email safely with you. Once payment is confirmed, you can schedule an appointment, first OFC appointment, that is for biometrics, and then schedule Consular appointment for second/another day. Note: – Try searching for appointment either late hours or early morning hours as we usually crack it during this time. Same applies when you pay online your USD$ 185 MRV fee.
- Be prepared to present the following at the visa interview:
- Form I-20
- Receipt of SEVIS I-901 fee payment
- Form DS-160 confirmation letter
- Visa fee receipt
- Acceptance/offer letter
- All academic transcripts/marksheets/certificates, & employment proofs (if any)
- Proof of English proficiency like TOEFL / IELTS / PTE/ DET etc.
- Affidavit of support from sponsor
- Financial evidence/statements/certificates
- Any other recommended financial documents like income proofs such as tax returns of sponsors. Also, you can make a net worth certificate – CA Report
- Receipt of any advance tuition payment
- Any Additional documents may be required and/or recommended to demonstrate financial stability and commitment to the student ‘s education in USA
Some Universities issuing quick I20
- Westcliff University
- Herzing University
- Central Michigan University
- Utica University
- Webster University
- Murray State University
- Long Island University, Brooklyn and post campus
- Kent State University
- Concordia University Saint Paul
- University of New Haven
- Avila University
