International students seeking a degree at KSU, either graduate or undergraduate, must go through the KSU Office of Admissions application process to gain admission and provide the necessary information to secure an F-1 student visa. Below is an overview of the steps and procedures required for international students, but more complete information is available at the following website: http://kysu.edu/administration-governance/student-affairs/admissions/international-students
At the time of applying to the University, in addition to submitting all required admissions application materials, international students are required to also show evidence of the ability to meet their college expenses. KSU must have this information before the Office of the Registrar can issue a Form I-20. Verification of the student's ability to pay is conducted through the Financial Certificate and receipt of original copies of information from the student's family, or student's sponsor's bank. Evidence of any award of a full scholarship or similar financial aid covering tuition, room, and board must also be part of the financial information provided.
Once the student has been admitted, demonstrated the ability to pay, and shown that he or she complies with all federal requirements, KSU will send the student, via international courier, an admission packet with the admission letter, information about the university, the Form I-20, and any other relevant documentation.
After the student receives the Form I-20, an interview appointment at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consul in his or her country of residence should be arranged. At this appointment the U.S. consular official will either grant or deny an F-1 visa.
Post-Arrival: Maintaining Status - Once the student has been issued an F-1 visa and arrives on campus, KSU's Registrar's Office is responsible for ensuring the student remains in status according to his or her visa as well as maintaining up-to-date information on the student in the SEVIS database.
Immediately upon arrival on campus students should report to the Office of the Registrar. In addition to issuing I-20s, KSU, via OOA, is required to report the enrollment of F-1 students every semester. Also, OOA must report in SEVIS current students that fail to enroll, maintain status, or complete their program. Schools are currently required to monitor records of the student's name, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, address, status, date of commencement of studies, degree program and field of study, practical training, termination date and reason, documents related to the student's admission, the number of credits completed per semester, and a copy of the I-20.
All this information resides in the SEVIS database rather than solely as hard files at each school. Under current federal regulations, even minor status violations (e.g., failing to inform ICE of change of major or failure to process a timely transfer) could result in loss of future employment authorization eligibility, the opportunity to return to the US after a visit abroad, or even possible deportation.
The student must check in with the Office of Admissions at the beginning of each semester to verify information in SEVIS and verify his or her program of studies timeline. In order to keep students informed of these important changes, OOA will conduct occasional information sessions as well as provide up-to-date information concerning the new regulations on the OOA web page.
A student not seeking a degree from Kentucky State University is considered a non-degree student. This may include visiting students, early admission (high school) students, senior citizens, post-baccalaureate students without degree intentions, and students pursuing additional undergraduate course work for teacher certification or other career purposes.