Admitted: Next Steps
Congratulations on your acceptance to University of Idaho — Idaho’s premier research university. We are ready to welcome you to the Vandal Family, where you are now part of a vibrant community dedicated to academic excellence and personal growth.
As a University of Idaho admitted student, your journey with us is just beginning, and we're here to guide you through your next steps. From registering for classes to learning more about campus life, consider this your roadmap to a successful start. Get ready to explore, connect and make the most of your college experience!
Your To-Do List
Setting up your Vandal accounts as soon as possible ensures that you will receive crucial information on important updates about financial aid, billing, housing, registration, deadlines and more.
Check your MyUI and VandalMail accounts frequently to make sure you don't miss important information.
MyUI allows you access to your transcripts, student account, add/drop class forms, registration and many other important items that are vital to your success at the University of Idaho.
iVandal is an immigration compliance portal that provides individualized services to international students, scholars, faculty, and staff. Use iVandal to submit documents and make requests to the International Programs Office (IPO). If you have any questions about iVandal, contact the IPO at ipo@uidaho.edu.
VandalMail is the official email used by your professors, academic advisor and different university departments to communicate important dates and information with you.
Duo Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides extra protection for your account. You will be directed to enroll in Duo MFA when you set up your account.
If you have any questions or trouble along the way, you can contact OIT at 208-885-HELP(4357) or support@uidaho.edu.
Quick Action Links:
Invitation to Idaho Scholarship
University of Idaho is proud to offer the Invitation to Idaho scholarship to eligible new international students, including transfer students. Eligibility requirements include the following: minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at time of admission and pursuing a first bachelor’s degree. It is awarded within 7-10 days of admission, no separate application required, to qualified students and can be accepted through a student’s MyUI account. It is renewable up to 4 years; continued eligibility is based on full-time degree seeking student status, 2.5 U of I cumulative GPA maintained and continuous enrollment. This scholarship is applied to the cost of international tuition, decreasing the annual international cost of $27,540 to $12,456. Learn more.
The Invitation to Idaho scholarship is the only guaranteed funding offered to new or transfer international students at this time; the majority of our other scholarships are awarded to current students through a student’s college or department of study. However, if you are awarded private scholarships through other outside sources, they can be applied to your costs at the University of Idaho.
Please note that the Invitation to Idaho scholarship does not apply to online only semesters or summer session and cannot be combined with the #YAWH scholarship offered through the International Programs Office.
#YouAreWelcomeHere (#YAWH) Scholarship
Developed as a commitment to providing a welcoming, safe and diverse environment to international students, the #YAWH scholarship initiative offers two annual, renewable scholarships that are worth 50% tuition at the time of initial matriculation. The scholarships require an application and are open to first-year international students admitted for undergraduate degree-seeking study at the University of Idaho.
More information can be found on our costs and scholarships webpage. *You must be an admitted student to apply for the #YAWH scholarship.
Please note that the #YAWH scholarship does not apply to online only semesters or summer session and cannot be combined with the Invitation to Idaho scholarship.
An I-20 is an important immigration document that F-1 students need to obtain for their student visa and enter the U.S.
An initial I-20 is issued for students with a new SEVIS record. A transfer I-20 is issued for students who have an active SEVIS record at a U.S. high school or higher education institution and are transferring their records to University of Idaho.
Requesting an I-20 from U of I
Submit Required Form I-20 Documents
1. Certificate of Financial Responsibility
In compliance with the Department of Homeland Security and SEVIS regulations, all international applicants on the F-1 student visa must provide evidence of sufficient funds available for their studies in the U.S. For this purpose, a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) must be completed and submitted.
- Include all scholarships (i.e. Invitation to Idaho scholarship, Athletic scholarship, etc.) received from the University of Idaho in the Sources of Funds table, in U of I Department section; include the total amount of funding received from U of I on the same line but in the right column that says “Amount in U.S. Dollars.”
- Students with dependents (a spouse and/or child) who will be joining them in the U.S. during their time on an F-1 or J-1 visa will need to provide proof of additional funds. These amounts are outlined in the CFR.
- Use the Application Status Portal to upload your documents.
2. Bank statement (Dated within 6 months will be required for your visa interview.)
Bank statements will need to show liquid funds (funds that can be immediately accessed and used). These can be one statement covering the entire amount displayed on the financial guarantee form for one year of attendance at the university, or a collection of bank statements from the people listed on the financial guarantee as sponsors.
For sponsored students, a sponsor letter produced by a sponsoring agency recognized by U of I stating the applicant’s full name, academic program at U of I, term of the sponsorship and amounts covered by it. Some of the agencies are: SENACYT, Kuwait Cultural Office, Oman Cultural Division, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, Sidra and UAE Cultural Division.
Your bank statements need to show available balances that equal or surpass the amount of expenses (after deducting any scholarships) for one year of attendance at U of I. If this ability is not demonstrated, the I-20 cannot be processed.
- Use the Application Status Portal to upload your documents.
- Please ensure that the financial institution’s name, the account holder’s name and account balance are all clearly visible.
- These statements need to be dated within the last 6 months.
3. Copy of passport
- You may take a clear photo or scan of the biographic page of your passport and use the Application Status Portal to upload your documents. The bio page shows your picture and personal details.
Access Your Issued Form I-20
- Your I-20 Form is electronically issued and emailed to your VandalMail account.
- Review your issued SEVIS Form I-20—ensure that the information is correct (spelling, dates, etc.)
- Print in color once you have reviewed for accuracy.
- Add your printed I-20 to your visa interview/travel file.
- Pay your SEVIS Form I-901 fee
Upon receipt of your I-20 Form, you will have the information needed to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee must be paid and your receipt of payment printed prior to applying for your student visa at your nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
- Apply for your non-immigrant visa, DS-160
As a visa applicant, you must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories. Read complete details about student visas. Note: After you have completed the DS-160, you will need to print and keep the DS-160 barcode page.
- Schedule Visa Interview
To schedule your interview, locate your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Each consulate sets its own timeline for accepting and processing student visa applications. If the consulate says apply “at least” 60 days before your program departure, this means no fewer than 60 days. To avoid problems, submit your visa application at the earliest date the consulate will accept it.
- Pay Visa Application Fee
Please read information about nonimmigrant visa application fees. Applicants must pay these fees as directed prior to their visa interview, and they must bring the receipt to their interview. If the visa is issued, please note that a visa issuance reciprocity fee may be applicable based on your country of citizenship. Please refer to the Visa Reciprocity Table to see if this fee applies to you.
- Prepare for Visa Interview
- View Tips
- Gather all the required documents that you’ll need for your interview
- Review helpful videos
- Read through all the information provided at the website of the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you’ll be interviewing
University of Idaho’s campus and Moscow are easy to navigate and are welcoming to all students. Explore the locations of your classes and other essential buildings by taking a virtual tour of the campus, and discover fun and unique activities in Moscow.
Not taking classes at the Moscow campus? Get to know our Idaho centers’ facilities and communities:
Discover more about your area of study
Click on the colleges below to explore.
Not sure what you want to major in yet? That's OK! Check out the Bachelor of General Studies.
Agricultural and Life Sciences
Learn MoreArt and Architecture
Learn MoreBusiness and Economics
Learn MoreEducation, Health and Human Sciences
Learn MoreEngineering
Learn MoreLaw
Learn MoreLetters, Arts and Social Sciences
Learn MoreNatural Resources
Learn MoreScience
Learn More