Firehawks come from all over the world! About 10% of students at UT Southern come from outside the United States. If you are joining us from abroad, you will find all the information you need below.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact:
Skylaur Poarch
Principal Designated School Official
931-424-2044
spoarch@utsouthern.edu
Getting Started
Admissions Requirements
- Students must be able to communicate in English. If your first language is not English, a TOEFL score of 70 with sub-scores of 17 or 18 is the minimum requirement for placement in university-level courses. You will have to take a placement test when you arrive, and you may be required to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in order to keep up with your classwork.
- A statement of financial responsibility is required. This will be emailed to you.
- An official transcript of your last four years of academic work is required. You can usually ask your previous school to send an official transcript directly to UT Southern at SPoarch@utsouthern.edu.
- You must complete an application form.
Application Process
- Fill out an application form.
- Complete and return the Required Financial Information form and the required financial documentation to the International Student Advisor, along with a copy of your passport.
- Once you have been accepted, the UT Southern ISA will prepare an Initial Attendance SEVIS I-20 and send it to you in your home country.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and immediately print a receipt. The most practical method is to do this online. (You can find SEVIS fee information in the menu below.)
- Make an appointment for a visa interview with your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.
- Once you have your F-1 Student Visa, purchase an airline ticket to arrive in Nashville, Tennessee, several days before the beginning of classes.
- Notify the International Student Advisor of the details of your arrival. If you are an athlete, notify your coach of the details of your arrival.
- Travel with all your documents: your passport with F-1 Student Visa attached, your SEVIS I-20, and the I-94 card you will be given on the airplane.
SEVIS Fee Information
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges a fee of $350 for F-1 Students for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) operational costs. This fee is in addition to the visa application fee imposed by the U.S. Department of State. (F-2 dependents do NOT pay the fee.)
The fee must be paid before you go for your visa interview, or if you are visa exempt (see below), it must be paid before you cross the border to the United States.
The fee can be paid in 3 different ways:
- Online (strongly recommended),
- Via Western Union Quick Pay, or
- By mail
A third party, such as a family member or friend, may also pay the fee for you. Online payment is recommended because you can print a receipt immediately, which you can take to your visa interview. If you pay online, you MUST have a printer connected to your computer because you cannot save the information to print later.
Online Payment
- Go to www.fmjfee.com for the electronic I-901 SEVIS fee application.
- Complete the form online and pay with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) or debit card (with Visa or MasterCard logo). *Note: Write your name EXACTLY as it is on your I-20.
- Print a copy of the online receipt.
- Make extra copies of your receipt and keep the receipts in a safe place with your other immigration documents. You may need to provide proof of having paid the fee later on.
For F-1 students, The University of Tennessee Southern’s School Code is: NOL214F10429000
SEVIS fee payment must be received by DHS (by mail) or confirmed (by Internet) at least three U.S. government working days before your visa application interview.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda, Bahamian nationals, and British subjects residing in the Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands only:
- No visa or visa application is required for entry to the U.S.
- Pay the SEVIS fee as detailed above and get the receipt
- Present the SEVIS fee payment receipt at a U.S. Port of Entry
For additional details on the SEVIS fee, access the SEVIS I-901 Fee website.
Transfer Students
- If you are an F-1 student already studying in the United States, you must apply to The University of Tennessee Southern and be accepted before you can attend.
- Provide the UT Southern International Student Advisor with copies of your passport, F-1 Student Visa, I-94 card, current SEVIS I-20, and financial documents.
- Ask your former institution’s International Student Advisor to contact UT Southern’s International Student Advisor about your transfer.
- Your existing SEVIS I-20 record will be transferred from your former institution to The University of Tennessee Southern.
Required Funding for Student Visa Sponsorship
In order for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to issue the immigration documents for a visa, a certification of financial support must be included. This shows that the student has sufficient funding to complete an academic year of study in the U.S. This is submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when the immigration documents are created.
How much is required for visa sponsorship?
The amount required is based on cost of attendance estimates provided by the University of Tennessee Southern. This is an estimate that accounts for tuition and fees, living expenses, books, and required health insurance.
Important, this is an estimate of the cost of attendance for visa sponsorship. You actual cost of attendance may be higher depending on personal lifestyle, inflation, currency conversion, and changes in fees.
Estimated yearly tuition (Fall and Spring) provided below are subject to change.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $10,924 |
| International Insurance (12 Months) | $3,000 |
| Housing: Double Dorm Room | $3,800 |
| Food/Meal Plan | $4,500 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $1,500 |
| International Student Fee | $300 |
| Total | $24,024 |
Transcript Mailing Info
How can we help?
For more information regarding the cost of attending The University of Tennessee Southern and to receive your Affidavit of Financial Support, please contact:
International Student Advisor
admissions@utsouthern.edu