1. Application to University of Cincinnati
Overseas representatives need to be aware of application procedures and minimum requirements for admission and I-20 issuance. A key is understanding UC’s iStart system.

2. The Common Application
For undergraduate freshman admission, effective 08/01/2013, all degree seeking undergraduate students must apply to UC using the Common Application.
Undergraduate transfer and Conditional Admission applications will continue to use UC’s Online apply.
Graduate applications will continue to be done Online through the Graduate School portal.

8. Some Important Points About the Common Application
All incoming “direct admission” freshmen have to use common app
Transfer students and conditional admissions students (both freshmen and transfer) have to use the UC application
Everyone goes to (same site as always)
UC cannot answer any questions about the application until the student finalizes and submits the application and their Common Application s released to UC
The Common Application will not be released to UC until the students’ payment has been verified – may take up to a week for international payments

9. Some Important Points About the Common Application
When the application reaches UC, UC will operate under the date the student submitted payment to the Common App – not the date the payment was verified
Students MUST choose three majors (this is a Common App rule – students applying to any school have to do this) but can list the same major three times if they really only want one major
Application fee is still $100. We will no longer be able to provide coupons to agents or students.
There is an application fee wavier request on the Common App but that request has to be approved; UC will not waive the application fee for international students – everyone has to pay the $100
Make sure to answer every question – if you have to select answers of “NA” (for “not applicable”), “no”, etc.

10. Transcripts
Original transcripts, translated into English, will be required for admission. At a minimum, undergraduate applicants will need to provide high school transcripts and transcripts for any college/university level study.
Graduate school applicants will need to provide, at a minimum, all college/university level transcripts.

11. Credential Evaluations
At the undergraduate level, UC only requires a credential evaluation for transfer students. Freshman do not need a credential evaluation. UC will send the transcript out for evaluation.
At the graduate level out departments rely on the expertise of their faculty who are from specific countries when making decisions about applicant credentials.

12. Application Deadlines
Deadlines for application forms will vary by institution and, in some cases, by individual programs or level of study. At the University of Cincinnati, the deadline to apply at the undergraduate level is:
November 15 – Priority deadline for most programs
December 1 – College- Conservatory of Music
February 1 – Most Graduate Programs

13. Application Fees
The application fee for undergraduate students is $100. Effective 08/01/2013 discounts can no longer be given to students who apply through an approved overseas representative.

14. Application Fees At the Graduate Level, application fees are:
$65.00 for most colleges/programs $ for College-Conservatory of Music $ for the Physiology (MS) program $75.00 for College of Engineering $70.00 for the Psychology program $20.00 for most graduate certificates
There is a $5 surcharge for international applications.

15. UC Scholarships
At the University of Cincinnati we offer a Global Scholarship to international applicants who meet specific criteria ranging in amount from $1,000 to $12,000.
At the graduate level many programs will offer a Graduate Incentive Scholarship ranging in amount from a few thousand dollars up to $20,000. In addition, some outstanding students may be offered teaching or research assistantships.

16. Confirmation Process at UC
Confirmation at the undergraduate level at UC involves completing a “confirmation” form on line and paying a $100 fee. At the graduate level most programs only require a signed acceptance of the offer. A few programs at the graduate level (College of Business) require a confirmation fee of $250 as well. Students should follow the instructions they are given.

17. The Financial Certification Process
Students must document proof of financial support to be issued an I-20 form. Understanding how UC wants this process to work is critical in expediting the I-20 issuance process and saving time and resources for UC, the student and the agency.

23. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
If funding from UC is equal to or greater than the amount of expenses required to be issued an I-20, does the student need to submit additional financial documents?
No. If the amount of funding coming from school exceeds the amount of funding required by the institution to be issued an I-20 the student does not need to submit additional financial documents.

24. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
The student has been awarded University funding (a scholarship or assistantship). Can the student count the amount of the award as a source of support for subsequent years of study?
Yes. Any award given by a University that covers a full academic year can be counted as a source of support for all years of expected study unless it is indicated that the scholarship is for a specific amount of time.

25. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
Does the student have to submit financial documents in U.S. dollars?
No. Students do not require financial documents to be submitted in U.S. dollars, although it is helpful that any document submitted in a foreign currency contains the U.S. dollars equivalency. It is perfectly acceptable to submit documents in foreign currency such as RMB, Rupees, or the Euro.

26. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
Can a student submit copies of his/ her financial documents to the school?
Yes, UC does not want the paper financial documents. Students should submit their financial documents to UC electronically once admitted. They should use the Sources of Financial Support eForm in iStart (soon to be rebranded iBearcatsGlobal). Financial documents must be submitted in English or have an English translation attached.

27. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
Can a student be issued an I-20 based on providing financial support for one year of study?
No. All students must provide financial support for all years of study needed to complete a degree. Funds for the first year of study must be documented and available. Funds for subsequent years of study must be attainable as demonstrated by income from employment or investments. This typically occurs when a sponsor (family or friend) is involved. If using personal funds for any part of support the student must have the personal funds for all years of study. For example, a doctoral student who states that he or she will use $10,000 of personal funds for support would have to show $10,000 x 6 ($60,000) in order to be issued an I-20. Personal funds can’t be earned, the student either has the funds or doesn’t.

28. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
A student wants to bring his/her spouse and children to the U.S. What do they need to do?
They need to show additional support for the spouse and children. This is in addition to what they need to show to meet their own living and education expenses. They will also need to supply the name, date of birth, city and country of birth and country of citizenship for each dependent. At the University of Cincinnati, $4,000 per year is required for a spouse, and $2,000 for each child. The amount required will vary among institutions.
They should request dependent I-20’s using the iStart (iBearcatsGlobal) F-2 dependent eForm.

29. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
Must the financial Certification Form be notarized?
Yes, except in markets where this is difficult. UC will require that the financial certification made by a sponsor have a notary seal/stamp affixed to the sponsor’s signature or the form will not be accepted. A notary seal is an official stamp certifying that the person signing the form is the sponsor. A notary seal can be obtained in any country, although the formal name may not be a notary. Lawyers, bankers, police officers and other government officials typically have the authority to make such certifications. In some countries (especially China) such officials may not stamp or seal the institutional Financial Certification Form because it is written in English. It is acceptable in such instances to send a form appropriate from the home country with the appropriate seals instead of the institutional form or the agency can put their seal on the form if reviewing the documents.

30. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
What documents should a sponsor provide when submitting proof of financial ability?
Most sponsors will need to submit bank statements with at least the first year of support available. In addition, sponsors can show through income tax returns, employment/salary verification letters or other investments that over the course of the student’s program of study he/she has the means to earn the additional funds necessary to support subsequent years of study.

31. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Financial Certification Process
What is the average time to degree for programs in the U.S.?
Degree Years of Study
Associate 2 years
Bachelor’s 5 years
Master’s (Most Programs) 2 years
Doctorate 6 years
Juris Doctorate (Law) 3 years

40. Available resources Training/Contracts/Commissions-
(Ron Cushing -
Undergraduate Admissions
Graduate Admissions- (Angel Elvin-

41. Reminder About the Commission Process
Classes begin at UC for fall semester 2013 on August 26th. You will receive an from Ron Cushing to verify the commission report for your agency on this day. Please wait until you receive the before checking your commission report.
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you send the Commission Cover Letter to the International Admissions Office for each student you helped recruit for UC.