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| Prospective Students - Q&A |
For Applicants
What programs are offered at UCF? |
UCF offers 92 bachelor's degree programs, 73 master's programs, and 25 doctoral programs.
Click here for information and listing of bachelor's degree programs:
http://www.admissions.sdes.ucf.edu/undergraduate-programs2.asp.
Click here for information and listing of graduate programs:
http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/sitemap/index.cfm?RsrcID=52&SubCatID=123. |
| I am a student from abroad, how do I apply to UCF? |
| You will need to apply online to the university and submit your academic application materials to the undergraduate or graduate admission office, whichever applies to you, while at the same time you need to provide the International Services Center (ISC) with several immigration documents and forms. Please click here for detailed information about UCF application requirements:
http://www.intl.ucf.edu/sitemap/index.cfm?RsrcID=8&SubCatID=18. |
| How do I transfer to UCF from another United States school? |
| You will need to apply online to the university and submit your academic application materials to the undergraduate or graduate admission office, whichever applies to you, while at the same time you need to provide the International Services Center (ISC) with several immigration documents and forms. This will include a UCF Transfer Clearance Form signed by an immigration adviser from your local institution with a transfer release date. Please click here for detailed information about UCF application requirements:
http://www.intl.ucf.edu/sitemap/index.cfm?RsrcID=8&SubCatID=19. |
| Can I apply to UCF as nondegree seeking? |
| International students interested in obtaining an F-1 visa can not apply to the university as nondegree seeking. Students must apply into a degree seeking program. |
| What are the application deadlines for UCF? |
| Application deadline dates differ per semester of enrollment. Please view deadlines here:http://www.ucf.edu/info/acad_calendar.php. |
| What will be the cost of attending UCF? |
International students must show proof of having available funds to cover the following expenses based on 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students for fall and spring enrollment.
|
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
| Tuition and Fees |
13,723.76 |
17,202.62 |
| Living Expenses |
12,012.00 |
12,012.00 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance |
1,500.00 |
1,500.00 |
| TOTAL |
$27,235.76 (U.S.) |
$30,714.62 (U.S.) |
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| What is a SEVIS form I-20 and how do I get one? |
| The SEVIS form I-20 is a document required by United States embassies around the world for the issuance of your F-1 visa. As part of the application process, you would have to complete an I-20 Request form, which can be downloaded from our website. Once you have completed the entire application process and have been admitted to the university, we will mail you the SEVIS I-20 form along with other documents. |
| What is the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) fee requirement?
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| The $100 SEVIS fee is payable one time for each single educational program in which an F-1 student participates. Payment is required and used by the United States Department of Homeland Security to fund the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This program makes it possible for international students and exchange visitors to attend schools in the United States. The fee also funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a computer system employed to track international students and exchange visitors during their stay in the United States. The fee must be paid and received three business days before your visa appointment with the embassy. You can pay the fee online by going to www.FMJfee.com. |
| How can my spouse and children join me in the United States during my length of study as an F-1 student? |
| Your spouse and/or children may be permitted to enter the United States on an F-2 visa. When you submit your I-20 request form during your application process, complete the dependent information section so we can issue a SEVIS I-20 form in the name of your dependents, identifying them as dependents. It's important to note that you must provide proof of sufficient financial support for your dependents in addition to your own expenses. You will need an additional $3,000 (U.S.) per year for a spouse and $3,000 (U.S.) for each dependent child. |
| I need to get my transcripts evaluated, where can I do that? |
| UCF accepts international transcript evaluations from the following two agencies:
World Education Services, Inc.
PO Box 01-5060, Miami, FL 33101
Telephone: (306) 358-6688
Fax: (305) 358-4411
www.wes.org
Josef Silny and Associates, Inc
International Education Consultants
PO Box 248233, Coral Gables, FL 33124
Telephone: (305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338
www.jsilny.com
For specifics about transcript requirements for undergraduate students, please click here: http://www.admissions.sdes.ucf.edu/apply-now.asp?FirstSub=internationalstudinfo.
For graduate students, please click here: http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/pagegen/index.cfm?PageID=9. |
| How do I take the TOEFL exam? |
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Please review UCF's admission requirements for detailed information on who should take the exam, minimum scores and other test requirements.
Contact:
TOEFL Services
1-800-GO-TOEFL |
| Does UCF offer an English Language Program? |
| UCF offers excellent English language programs to meet various needs, please click here for additional information and application processes: http://www.cmms.ucf.edu. |
| How do I get an assistantship? |
| Besides assistantships, UCF offers fellowships and tuition support for international graduate students. The most important thing to remember is to apply for admission early. The FALL PRIORITY date is the application deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for university fellowships and assistantships for the next academic year. To learn more about the financial assistance available to our graduate students, please click here: http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/sitemap/index.cfm?RsrcID=52&SubCatID=124. |
Once Students Have Been Admitted and Received their F-1 Visa
Where do I find housing information? |
| There are various housing options to suit individual needs such as on-campus housing, off-campus university-affiliated housing, local off-campus apartment housing and family home-rooming, when available. UCF's on-campus housing consists of suite-style residence halls and apartment-stlye residence halls. All on-campus housing is wired for internet service, fully carpeted, fully air-conditioned, and offers housekeeping service that cleans the bathrooms once a week. For additional information about housing, please visit the Housing and Residence Life Website or view our International Student Survival Guide section on housing. |
| How soon can I enter the United States if I'm coming from abroad? |
| You may enter the United States within 30 days prior to the start of classes. Students are advised to arrive no later than a week before classes start. |
| When should I complete my online immigration session? |
| Once you have been admitted to UCF, you will receive an e-mail invitation to complete the mandatory online immigration session. This session will provide you with a clear explanation of how to maintain your F-1 status. Students are advised to successfully complete the session as soon as the invitation is received. The session will have to be completed prior to reporting to our International Services Center and registering for classes. |
| I'm a student from abroad, what do I need to do once I arrive at UCF? |
| Upon your arrival, and in order to register for classes, you are required to report to the Internatinal Services Cemter. Please remember to bring your immigration documents (I-94 card, visa, passport, I-20 form), your local street address, and have your immigration session completed. There are additional steps you will have to complete after you report to our offices and in order to register for classes. They are outlined on the "Welcome Page and New Student Guide" included in your I-20 packet. |
| Do I have to retain a foreign address? |
| You are required to maintain a foreign address from your home country in order to maintain your F-1 status. |
| How can I get involved with campus activities? |
There are more than 350 registered student organizations, as well as student groups, including the Campus Activities Board, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Homecoming, Knights of the RoundTable, Late Knights, Multicultural Student Center, Student Government Association, and Volunteer UCF. For a list of these groups and contact information, please visit: Office of Student Involvement.
The International Services Center at UCF also offers a wide-range of activities and events specifically designed for new and current international services. Visit http://www.intl.ucf.edu. |
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| Current Students - Q&A |
Change of Status
How do I change my status to F-1? |
You will need to be admitted to a program of study at the University of Central Florida and be issued a Form I-20. A change to F-1 status can be done either through reentry into the United States after having obtained an F-1 entry visa stamp from a U.S. embassy or consulate or by submitting an application for a change of status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. See an ISC adviser for more information on the procedure. |
| I received an approval from USCIS for my change of status to F-1. If I return home, do I need to have a valid F-1 entry visa stamp in my passport to reenter the United States? |
Yes. To reenter the United States you must have a valid F-1 entry visa stamp (unless you are a citizen of Canada). |
Employment
I am an F-1 student and want to work on the campus. Is this okay? |
F-1 students holding a valid University of Central Florida I-20 and enrolled are eligible to work on the campus. Students transferring to the University of Central Florida from another U.S. college or multilingual multicultural program must have their transfer authorized by ISC before they are eligible for employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to full-time during semester breaks and the summer vacation period. |
| I am an F-1 student and I want to work off the campus during the summer vacation. Can I do this? |
Any off-campus employment requires specific work authorization, even during the summer vacation period. You must meet eligibility requirements for employment authorization. See an ISC adviser regarding work options and eligibility requirements or visit "Employment" in the "Current Students" section of the ISC website. |
| I am an F-1 student and I want to gain work experience outside the campus in a job related to my field of study. How can I accomplish this? |
You may be able to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization to work in a job related to your field of study. See an ISC adviser regarding eligibility requirements and the application process. |
| I am an F-1 student and I will be graduating soon. How can I receive permission to work in the United States after graduation? |
If you are completing your program of study, you are eligible to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). This application must be recommended by ISC and approved by the USCIS. The employment authorization will allow you to work in a job related to your field of study. You may submit your application to ISC and USCIS prior to your date of completion. See an ISC adviser regarding eligibility requirements, the application process and the deadline. |
| How is part-time and full-time defined by USCIS? |
USCIS defines part-time as working 20 hours or less per week and it does not affect Optional Practical Training. Full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as working 21 or more hours per week. If you accumulate 12 months (365 days) or more of full-time CPT authorization, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Part-time CPT does not affect your eligibility for OPT, nor is there any limit on the number of semesters you may work CPT part-time before graduating. |
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