International Students

Once you have submitted all required application documents and been fully admitted to the university, you will be mailed your Form I-20 and can begin the F-1 visa application process. This form, your passport, financial records and proof of your ties to your home country must be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country along with a completed Student Visa application form. For more information on how to apply for an F-1 Visa in your home country visit studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students

*If your plans change, and you decide not to attend Union University, please return the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to the International Student Office and notify the Admissions Office of your decision. If you wish to defer your admission to a subsequent semester, indicate your decision when you contact these offices.

International Orientation is a half-day program designed specifically for new international students to help ease the transition into both life in the US and study at Union. During this time, you will learn information that will enable you to access resources, guide you as you navigate your new role as a student at Union, as well as introduced you to other internationals that are making the same transition. Following orientation, you have the opportunity to participate in Welcome Week before beginning class.

Flywire

Union has partnered with Flywire to streamline the international payment process. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, typically in your home currency.

By making your payment with Flywire you can:

• Track your payments from start to finish
• Save on bank fees and exchange rates
• Contact their multilingual customer support team with any questions, day or night

To get started, click below or go to uu.flywire.com to begin the payment process. If you have questions about making an international payment, visit flywire.com/help.

Other Payment Solutions

If you have a US banking account (contact the International Student Officer if you need to establish one before arrival) you have a few more options for payment:

• You may set up a monthly payment plan through Nelnet.
  NOTE: Payment plans will be accessible once student is registered and charges are assessed.
  • Log in to SelfService
  • Click on Student Finance tab
  • Under Helpful Links choose “Nelnet Payment Plan”
  • Create your account
  • Click “Setup Payment Plan”, choose your term, and click “Begin”
• You may pay also by credit card, E-check, money-order, and direct wire transfer. Please go by Union Station or call 731-661-5477 to pay by phone with your credit card or e-check. If paying using a credit card, be sure to say you are an international student so that the convenience fee is waived on all credit card transactions.

An F-1 student may accept part-time employment at the university he or she is authorized to attend without prior approval from the USCIS provided that certain requirements are met. On-campus employment may not begin earlier than 30 days prior to classes starting. Students may work up to 20 hours on campus while school is in session, and may be full-time on campus while school is not in session.

For questions about on-campus employment program, feel free to stop by the Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career. The Vocatio Center office can be accessed from the PAC A-hallway. To apply to an on-campus job, you are required to submit a résumé (CV) and apply at Handshake. The Vocatio Center offers assistance to you in developing a résumé, a document that lists your educational background and work experience. The Vocatio Center is also available to guide you in the application process. A Social Security Number and completion of online paperwork are required before beginning work on campus.

An F-1 student seeking off-campus employment or a training opportunity such as OPT or CPT must meet with the DSO to receive proper authorization.

Once a person is admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status, he or she must meet certain obligations in order to maintain status.

• Maintain a valid (not expired) passport.
• Maintain a valid (not expired) I-20.
• Keep all immigration documents in a safe place, including your old I-20 forms. Do NOT discard old copies.
• Enroll and maintain a full course-load each term.
• Follow correct procedures if transferring, changing academic goals, or extending your program of study.
• Work no more than 20 hours per week if you work on campus.
• Do not work off-campus without the required authorization from the Union University International Student Office.
• Comply with all Union University regulations