1. Application for I-20

In order for Stockton University to issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status (Form I-20), the applicant and sponsor(s) must read and follow the instructions accurately. Stockton University is required by the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to collect evidence that the applicant will have sufficient funds while studying in the US.

1.1International Student Transfer Form (for Transfer Students within the US only)

When an F-1 student begins full-time studies at a new school, the student’s SEVIS record must be transferred to that new school, so the student’s original SEVIS ID and history is maintained in SEVIS.

F-1 Transfer students from another SEVP certified institutions within the US must complete the International Student Transfer Form in order for Stockton to issue the I-20.

2. Affidavit of Support

This document shows the source of the funds you intend to use to fund your education. Each sponsor should fill out an affidavit completely, sign and date it. 
If the student is using his/her own money, he/she should fill out the affidavit and indicate that they will be supporting themselves. An official seal from a bank or notary public must be affixed in order for the document to be valid. All affidavits must be in English and funds must be indicated in US currency.

Bank statement(s) with enough funding to cover your educational and personal expenses must be provided. The official bank statement (or letter on official letterhead) must be:

• in the sponsor’s name (or the student’s),
• must be in English
• must show exact US dollar amounts (NOT statements such as “The sponsor has sufficient funds”)
• must be less than 6 months old

Acceptable documents include letters from employers verifying annual income in US dollars and/or copies of income tax forms. 
NOT ACCEPTABLE: proof of property ownership, income from investments

3. Sponsor's Affidavit for Room and Board 

If a sponsor in the US will be providing free room and meals while the student studies at Stockton, the sponsor must sign a statement declaring they will provide free room and board.
Otherwise, a student must apply for Stockton University Housing and pay the $150 housing deposit.

4. International Students Admission Checklist

Before submitting complete applications, please verify your documents via the Admissions Checklist to make sure you have included all necessary paperwork, forms and files. Incomplete applications will be delayed and admission may be denied.

5. Additional Important Documents

Documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation verified by a language professor or professional translation. Since we cannot guarantee the return of any credentials submitted in support of your application, we suggest that you supply certified true copies of any document that is irreplaceable.  A certified true copy of a document is a photocopy made from an original document, upon which an educational or consular official has affixed his/her signature and official seal, and has indicated that it is an attested true copy of the original document.

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All application materials, forms and supporting documents must be completed in English and sent to:

Stockton University
Office of Global Engagement 
101 Vera King Farris Drive,
Galloway, NJ 08205

or email to:

 

To confirm your enrollment, please complete and send the Enrollment Confirmation form in your Stockton Official Acceptance package along with the $250 Enrollment Deposit fee. Do not send cash. If paying by check or money order, please make payable to: Stockton University.

The Enrollment Deposit may be paid securely online by credit card or electronic check (electronic check option is available for U.S. bank accounts only) via your goStockton portal. If paying by credit card or electronic check, please also complete and return the form to Stockton University, Office of Admissions.

The Enrollment Deposit reserves a place for you in the enrolled academic term. The deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable, but will be credited to your tuition once you register for classes.

The $250 Enrollment Deposit is due in the Office of Admissions as soon as possible, but no later than: 

• December 1 for Spring semester
  
• May 1 for Fall semester

Once you made your enrollment deposit, you will be invited for Orientation and registration day. Orientation days are held in the summer for fall entrance and in mid-January for spring entrance. You will meet members of Stockton staff, administration, faculty and students, as well as your faculty preceptor (advisor) who will help you select your courses. 

See more information about the New Student Orientation here.

FRESHMEN Welcome Week Programs are scheduled for the few days before classes begin. A combination of mandatory and optional programs are offered. Mandatory programs are for both Residential and Commuting Students. Student's over the age of 25 will receive an invitation to an abridged welcome program taking place during the first week of class.

For questions regarding Orientation dates, please contact the Office of Admissions at 609-652-4261 or toll-free at 1-866-772-2885.

1. FORM I-20/DS-2019. 
   For students, once your application for admission to Stockton University is received, processed and an acceptance decision has been made, you will be sent a Letter of Admission and a Form I-20/DS-2019. Check the I-20/DS-2019 against your passport information to make sure your name and date of birth are listed and spelled correctly.
   
   For scholars, once your application  materials are processed, you will be sent a welcome letter and a Form DS-2019. Review the DS-2019 against your passport for accuracy to make sure your name and date of birth are listed and spelled correctly.
2. SEVIS FEE. 
   Once the Form I-20 is received and verified, you must pay the SEVIS fee. It is required of all F-1/J-1 students and scholars. Once you pay the required SEVIS fee be sure to print and save the receipt. The receipt is your only proof of payment of the required SEVIS fee. If you do not pay the fee you will not be eligible for a visa. Please go here to pay the SEVIS fee. To learn about SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
3. APPOINTMENT. 
   After paying the SEVIS fee, you must apply for a visa as soon as possible. You must make an appointment with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate office to apply for the F-1/J-1 visa. To locate the Embassy/Consulate near you, please visit:   http://www.usembassy.gov/. Embassies and Consulates review a vast number of applications and you may have to wait for an appointment. To learn more about wait and processing times, please go to www.travel.state.gov.
4. VISA INTERVIEW.
   To prepare for your visa interview, learn as much as you can about the forms and documents required of you. Be prepared to convince the consul that you will return to your home country after completing your study course or program. Place large emphasis on your personal, family and economic ties with your home country, show undeniable reasons why you will return home, such as:

• present copies of property ownership
• business ownership by you or your family
• if you have traveled to the U.S. before, emphasize that you have returned home
• if your siblings have studied in the U.S. and have returned home, show copies of their diplomas, etc.

Bring with you:

1. Letter of Admission or Invitation Letter from the Stockton University
2. I-20/DS-2019 form issued by Stockton University
3. SEVIS receipt proving you paid the required fee
4. Official School records/Transcripts for students (translated and certified)
5. Affidavit of Support
6. International Student Financial Statement
7. Affidavit of Free Room and Board (if applicable)
8. Anything that will establish an understanding that you have strong ties to your home country and will return home after completion of your program of study – such as proof of property or business ownership, etc.

At the Embassy

A consulate officer makes a decision to grant or deny a visa. The Consul’s job is to make sure that persons who are issued visas will return home after completion of studies or program. As a person wishing to enter the U.S., your task as an interviewee is to convince the Consul that you will return home after completing your study course. The Consul is required to say: “You are not coming back home when you finish your studies!” Do not become offended and make sure, to the best of your ability, to convince the Consul that you will indeed return home after completion of your study course. The Consul’s job is to administer the law so DO NOT try to either negotiate with the Consul or discuss personal matters.

Questions

Explain the reasons why you are traveling to the U.S.:

• to enroll in an academic program
• professional or academic goals
• financial resource capability (be prepared to prove the ability to pay for all costs)
• English language proficiency, etc.

Be prepared to answer:

• Why you want to study in the U.S.?
• Why did you choose Stockton?
• Why did you choose your program of study?
• Be concise, positive and well prepared.