Our advisors are always available to answer your questions and ensure you have a smooth transition to the university. If you have any questions about next steps, please contact us at admissions@shorelight.com
1. Review Your Conditional Offer Letter and Submit Missing Documents
Your conditional offer letter outlines any missing documents or next steps needed to complete your admission process. Carefully read through the letter, note any documents the university still requires from you, and submit all outstanding materials as soon as possible. The university needs all required documents on file before proceeding with your I-20 or final admission.
2. Submit Your I-20 Request Form and Financial Documentation
To receive an I-20 (which is required to apply for a U.S. student visa), you must show proof of financial support for at least one year of study. Complete the I-20 Request Form and include your financial documents based on the appropriate form:
- Undergraduate Certificate of Finances (if you’re an undergraduate student)
- Graduate Certificate of Finances (if you’re a graduate student)
These documents show that you have the funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses.
3. Wait for the University to Process Your I-20
Once your I-20 Request Form and financial documents are received, the university will begin processing your I-20. It typically takes a minimum of 10 business days for the I-20 to be issued and emailed to you.
4. Apply for Your Visa
As soon as you receive your I-20, you are eligible to apply for your student visa (F-1 visa) at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Follow the visa application steps promptly to schedule your visa interview and complete all requirements.
After you receive your I-20, complete the following steps before booking your visa appointment:
- Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
- Check that the details on your I-20 are correct (including your date of birth) and make sure your name is the same as it appears on your passport.
- Prepare the documents you will need to take to the embassy when attending your visa interview.
After you complete the above steps, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. It requires an interview with the U.S. Embassy and can sometimes take several weeks to schedule.
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- Complete your Visa Application.
- Pay your I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Visit usembassy.gov to learn more about scheduling your visa appointment, what to expect when you arrive, and required documentation.
- Notify your personal Enrollment Advisor of the date and embassy of your visa appointment.
- Watch these videos to help you apply for your visa and prepare for your interview:
How to Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa
When purchasing your airline ticket to Cleveland, plan to arrive on or before your scheduled move-in day.
We are so excited for you to join us on campus! To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan to arrive on or before your official move-in day. Airport pickup are available at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to the campus on arrival days only. Once you book your flights, you must fill out the student arrival form. If your family is joining you, you must also complete the family arrival form.
Move-In Dates
For all application and payment deadlines as well as move-in and program start dates, please visit the Important Dates page.
We are looking forward to meeting you in person!For discounted international travel, click here
To avoid delays with your enrollment, please ensure your payment is made in full at least two weeks before your arrival.
Before you start, have your acceptance letter handy, as you’ll need it for reference.
Please select your preferred payment method:
- Credit Card or ACH: Fast and secure online payment
- Wire Transfer: Domestic or international bank transfer
Please complete the following forms:
- FERPA Disclosure Form: Complete this form prior to your arrival.
- CSU Liability Waiver.
*CSU Liability Waiver: Print the form, sign it, and send a copy to your Enrollment Services Advisor
- Complete Your Preference Form
Sim Cards
Free Sim cards will be provided upon check-in at Mather Mansion. The SIM cards are provided through Mint Mobile and include 1 month free 5GB of unlimited talk/text.
Center for Academic Success
A website with access to virtual tutors, career advisors, and online resources to help you throughout your university studies
Getting ready to study abroad can be challenging! Would you like some help with that? Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success (CAS) has many free resources for you! For example, you can watch a quick webinar on Culture Shock and Mental Health, or take a short eLearning course on Obtaining Your Visa, Understanding Health Insurance, Major & Career Exploration, and so much more.
If you wish you could just ask a real person a question, you can also use the Live Chat button to reach one of our highly-trained support staff, or you can schedule a Zoom session with one of our friendly Student Success Coaches, Professional Tutors, or Career Services staff—all of whom are experts at helping international students with anything from pre-arrival support and campus life to academic subject areas and career guidance.
Don’t wait to activate your free account at CAS—you are eligible as soon as you pay your university deposit.
How to register:
- Click here or scan the QR code to find our Home page.
- Click the orange “Sign up now” button to request access.
- On the signup form, type your given name and family name as you are registered at your university.
- Type any email address that your university has on file for you (it can be a personal or university email).
- Create a password with at least one special character and 6-50 characters total.
- Type your password again. Write it down or save it in your browser.
- Type the full name of your university, not the abbreviation. Your status must be checked.
- Check the first box to accept the Terms & Conditions (feel free to read those first).
- Check the last box if you wish to receive emails from us.
- Click the large orange button that says, “Start your learning journey.”
After you register:
- After self-registering, you’ll receive an email within two business days to let you know that your account is approved (or if not, how to fix the problem). Just follow the link to log in!
- Check your spam folder if you don’t see our email within two days—or just return to the Home page linked above to try logging in with your email and password. If you encounter any trouble, just use the Live Chat button at the bottom of our Home page.
If you were pre-registered:
- Some students may be admin-registered at the request of their university to save you the trouble of signing up.
- If you get an email from Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success saying that your account has been created, just follow the link to complete your registration. You only need to create your password and check the boxes (Steps 5-10 above).
- If you are told that you were admin-registered, but you can’t find our welcome email, just go to our Home page, click “Sign up now” and complete Steps 3-10. If you can’t guess the right email or how your name was entered, use our LiveChat to get help.