Immigration Requirements

If you are a new student coming from overseas:
You should apply for your F-1 student visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate near your place of residence. The U.S. consular official makes the ultimate decision as to whether the applicant is granted an F-1 student visa. The student should be prepared to present the following to the visa officer:

• I-20
• Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses
• Evidence of English ability sufficient for course of study
• Evidence of intent to depart the U.S. after completion of studies
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Photograph (check with embassy for specific dimensions)
• SEVIS Fee payment proof  

For more information about visas, please visit http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/ and http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.

F-1 Students Currently in the U.S.
If you plan to leave the U.S. and reenter to attend Ohio Dominican University and your F-1 entry visa in your passport is not valid, you should present your I-20 Form along with financial proof to a U.S. Consular Officer abroad to obtain a new entry visa.

If you are planning to leave the U.S. and re enter to attend Ohio Dominican University and your F-1 visa is still valid for your entry, you should present your I-20 Form and financial proof to the inspecting immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry.

For F-1 Students who transfer directly from another school within the U.S., you must follow the immigration transfer procedures. You will need to do:

Forms/Deposit Information

Once you have received you acceptance packet, please complete the following items and return them to the International Office as soon as possible. These forms will be included in the acceptance packet you receive.

Arrival Information

If you are entering the US for the first time as an F-1 student visa holder, please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm for an overview of what you can expect when you arrive at a U.S. Port of Entry.

Billing Information

The Business Office issues a statement for each semester's fees. Subsequent monthly statements are issued for accounts with unpaid balances. The Balance due on your statement can be paid by one of the following methods:

Full Payment by cash, check, money order or credit card. The University accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.  Credit card payments may be made in person, by telephone (614) 251-4550, or by fax (614) 251-4456. When paying by phone or fax you will need:

1. Credit Card Account Number
2. Expiration Date on the Card
3. Cardholder’s Name
4. Student’s ID# or Social Security Number
5. U.S. Dollar Amount to be Paid on the Account

Monthly Payment plan permits payment of tuition, room and board and health insurance to be made in interest free monthly installments. (Fall semester payments due August 1st through December 1st. Spring semester payments due January 1st through May 1st).  The earlier students enroll in the program, the more likely the lowest payment option will be available.  Deadlines for enrollment in the plans are listed online or in the FACTS brochure.  Go to eCashier to enroll online and to start monthly payments.  A $60.00 administrative fee is charged for this payment plan per semester.

Unpaid Account Policies are charged a $25 late fee. Should your balance become past due, a finance charge of .66% will be compounded monthly on the unpaid balance.

If no payment arrangements are made, students will be administratively withdrawn from classes.

Registration for the upcoming semester will not be permitted if there is an unpaid balance or if the payment plan is delinquent.

Holds will be placed on transcripts, diplomas and records of any kind for students having a past due balance on their account.

How Much Money to Bring

You should arrive with $1,000 to $4,000 to cover initial expenses. These funds will be used for you arrival expenses; such as books, meals, supplies, transportation, etc. Do not carry cash--consider travelers checks, checking card, credit card or a bank draft.

Expenses and Fees for the 2007-2008 Academic Year

There are two semesters in an academic year.

$10,860	Tution (per semester)
$50	Activity Fee (per semster, full time students)
$125	Orientation Fee (first time students, one time only)
$25	Application Fee (paper only)
$10	Parking Tag (one time only)
$30	Parking Sticker (per semester ) OR
$50	Parking Sticker (per year)
$100	Graduation Fee
$3,600-$3,900	Room and Board Fee (depending upon room/points, per semester)
$996	Heath Insurance (per year)
$4,750	Personal Expenses (approximate) for books, supplies, transport, etc.

Billing Information

The Business Office issues a statement for each semester's fees. Subsequent monthly statements are issued for accounts with unpaid balances. The Balance due on your statement can be paid by one of the following methods:

Full Payment by cash, check, money order or credit card. The College accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Full Payment may also be made via International Bank Wire.

Monthly Payment plan permits payment of tuition, room and board and health insurance to be made in 5 monthly installments over the course of the semester. (Fall semester payments due August 1st through December 1st. Spring semester payments due January 1st through May 1st). A $25.00 administrative fee is charged for this payment plan.

Unpaid Account Policies are charged a $25 late fee. Should your balance become past due, a finance charge of .66% will be compounded monthly on the unpaid balance.

If no payment arrangements are made, students will be administratively withdrawn from classes.

Registration for the upcoming semester will not be permitted if there is an unpaid balance or if the payment plan is delinquent.

Holds will be placed on transcripts, diplomas and records of any kind for students having a past due balance on their accounts.

Parking Permits Registration

All motor vehicles parked on campus must be registered with the Safety and Security Department.

To purchase a permit you must have:

Parking fees are:

Full year Parking Tag $50
One Semester Parking Tag $30
Summer Parking Tag $25

Questions related to billing, and payment methods should be directed to the ODU Business Office at (614) 251-4550.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is required by ODU and is a necessity in the U.S. because the cost of health care is extremely expensive. You will have 2 weeks from arrival to prove you have adequate health insurance if you don't you will be automatically insured and billed $996 for one year. For more information on coverage, please stop by the International Office for a brochure.

Weather in Columbus, Ohio

SEASONS	SUMMER	AUTUMN	WINTER	SPRING
Dates	June 21 to September 20	September 21 to December 20	December 21 to March 20	March 21 to June 20
Temperatures	Day: 75-95° F (24-34°C) Night: 55-75° F (16-22°C)	Day: 35-65° F (2-18° C) Night: 20-50° F (-7 - 10°C)	Day: 10-45° F (-9 - 9°C) Night: 5-35° F (-15 - -2°C)	Day: 45-75° F (7-23°C) Night: 30-50° F (-1 - 10°C)
What to Expect	Humid, warm, some rain or thunderstorms.	Temperatures change quickly. Rainy,windy and increasingly cool.	Some snow, very cold. Hat, gloves and warm coat needed.	Rains oftten. Umbrella needed; maybe light coat/sweater.

For more information please visit: The Weather Channel.