After receiving an official offer of acceptance, students must follow these steps to complete the immigration, housing, and course registration requirements.
Step 1: Create Your CSU NetID
The NetID is your CSU network identity, and allows you to access CSU systems and email. Activate your NetID and email via CSU’s instructions. You must have your CSU ID number and the email you used to apply for admission. Please read the CSU IT help topics if you have difficulty with this process or contact CSU IT by email.
Step 2: Apply for Your J-1 Visa
Accepted students must submit the required financial documents and passport through the portal. More than 50% of funding must come from sources outside of family and personal funding. These may include your home government, home university, international or non-profit organization, etc. Learn more about immigration documents.
Students will receive a DS-2019 with instructions to schedule a visa interview. A visa can only be issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residences. Requirements for processing the visa will vary by location, and many offices will require a visa interview. Students should allow a minimum of four weeks for this process to be complete.
STEP 3: Apply for Campus Housing
Colorado State University offers a broad selection of housing and dining options to ensure that students feel at home. Freshmen are given priority since they are required to live on campus, but VIP students may apply.
Housing assignments for both fall and spring terms start in November. Submit your housing application and deposit as early as possible, because on-campus housing is not guaranteed for VIP students. Students must use their NetID to complete the online housing application.
The residence halls open on the Thursday before classes begin. New international students must arrive for orientation the week before classes, and may begin living in the residence halls the Saturday before international student orientation for an additional fee. The residence halls are open during the week-long closings in November (Thanksgiving break) and March (Spring break), but no meal service is available. The residence halls are closed over the four weeks of winter break (December/January).
Review the Pre-Arrival Guide.
STEP 4: Register for Classes
Registering for courses as a VIP student can be challenging. Since you are not accepted to a degree-seeking program, you will not have an academic advisor to help you select your courses. You should consult with your home university academic advisor to ensure the courses are suitable for your degree. You must register for courses via RamWeb. Be sure to review the Course Catalog.
Many courses at CSU are restricted to students who have completed pre-requisite courses. VIP students may have taken an equivalent pre-requisite at their home university and must demonstrate their qualification to take the CSU course. Your International Student Advisor can help you with the course registration process.
STEP 5: Complete Student Health Records
All VIP students will be enrolled in the student health insurance program unless they are able to show proof of equivalent or better protection. Unfortunately, dependents are not eligible for the student health insurance plan provided by the university and must obtain separate health insurance that complies with J-1/J-2 regulations prior to arriving in the U.S.
Services include physician visits, walk-in assessment, mental health treatment, and wellness education. Additional services available at a reduced cost include dental care, laboratory work, x-rays, vaccinations, specialty clinics (allergy, optometry, etc.), and pharmacy. Before students can register for second semester classes, they are required to provide a medical history and proof of immunization. We recommend accepted students mail the documentation in advance or bring it with them to Orientation. For more information, review the forms section of the CSU Health Network website.
STEP 6: Register for Orientation
International Student Orientation is mandatory so accepted students should plan to arrive on campus one week before classes begin. Register and view the orientation schedule. Details also are emailed from ISSS to accepted students no later than one month prior to the start of the academic term. Questions should be directed to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at [email protected].