New Students

Interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University? Your first step is applying! Visit Undergraduate International Admissions to learn more.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Sacred Heart University? Your first step is applying! Visit Graduate International Admissions to learn more.

If you are an F-1 student planning on transferring to Sacred Heart University and have been accepted, download the SEVIS Transfer Form and have your International advisor at your current school complete it and email it to us at OIIS@sacredheart.edu. 

If you seek to transfer academic credits to Sacred Heart University, follow the instructions provided on our transfer credit evaluation page.

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a financial sponsor for an international student studying in the United States on an F-1 student visa. Your commitment plays an important role in helping students achieve their educational goals while maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. When you sign a financial support statement or provide documentation demonstrating your ability to financially support an F-1 student, you are affirming that sufficient funds are available to cover the student's educational and living expenses during their studies. U.S. institutions rely on this information when issuing immigration documents, and students rely on the promised support to maintain their academic progress and legal immigration status.

Understanding Your Responsibilities

As a financial sponsor of an F-1 visa student, you will be expected to provide the financial assistance that was indicated during the student's admission and immigration document process. This support may include:

• Educational Expenses, which may include tuition and fees, books and academic supplies, health insurance, if applicable and other program-related expenses.
• Living Expenses, which may include housing and utilities, food and personal expenses, local transportation, other necessary living costs.
• Emergency Financial Expenses, which may include medical emergencies, housing emergencies, travel expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, and other urgent financial needs. 

Why Financial Sponsorship Matters

F-1 students must demonstrate sufficient financial resources before a university can issue a Form I-20 and before a U.S. consular officer can issue a student visa. Unlike domestic students, international students often have limited opportunities to earn income in the U.S. F-1 students are subject to strict employment regulations and cannot rely on off-campus employment to meet their basic educational and living expenses. As a result, the sponsor’s financial support is a critical component of the student's ability to:

• Enroll and remain in school 
• Maintain full-time student status and complete the program
• Secure housing and health insurance for the duration of study

Consequences of Failing to Fulfill Sponsorship Commitments

If a sponsor is unable or unwilling to provide the financial support previously promised, the student may face significant challenges, including:

• Academic Consequences such as inability to register for classes, delayed graduation, academic interruptions or leaves of absence, withdrawal from the university. 
• Immigration Consequences: Failure to maintain enrollment due to financial difficulties may jeopardize a student's F-1 status. Depending on the circumstances, students may face loss of eligibility for certain immigration benefits, difficulty maintaining full-time enrollment, potential termination of their student status if university enrollment requirements are not met.

Important Considerations Before Agreeing to Sponsor a Student

Before committing to sponsor an F-1 student, please carefully consider whether you can provide reasonable support for the duration of the student's academic program. Sponsors should evaluate:

• Their current financial resources
• Long-term financial stability
• Potential changes in employment or income
• The total estimated cost of attendance for the student's program

Financial Documentation and Immigration Records

Financial documents submitted by a sponsor, including bank statements and affidavit of support become part of the student's immigration records. By providing these documents, sponsors certify that the information is accurate and that the funds are available to support the student's educational and living expenses. Submission of false, misleading, or fraudulent financial information may result in immigration, admission, or other legal consequences for the student and may be referred to appropriate authorities for review.

Disclaimer: The content in this tab is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Students are responsible for maintaining compliance with all F-1 immigration regulations and University policies.

Congratulations on your admission! Once you have accepted your offer of admission, follow the steps below to apply for your F-1 student visa at a U.S. Consulate in your country of residence.

Step 1: Submit Your Financial Documentation

Before the University can issue your Form I-20, you must submit all required financial documentation including bank statements and a sponsor’s Affidavit of Support demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover your educational and living expenses while studying in the United States. Be sure to submit complete and accurate documents to avoid delays in processing your I-20.

Step 2: Receive Your Form I-20

After your financial documents have been reviewed and approved, the University will issue your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). Review your I-20 carefully to ensure that your name, date of birth, program information, and other details are correct. Your I-20 contains your unique SEVIS ID number, which you will need throughout the visa application process. Sign and date your I-20 with a blue pen before your visa interview.

Step 3: Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee

Pay the required I-901 SEVIS fee using the SEVIS ID listed on your Form I-20. Print or save your payment confirmation, as you will need to present proof of payment during your visa interview and when traveling to the United States.

Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee

Step 4: Complete the DS-160 Visa Application

Follow instructions from your local U.S. Consulate, complete and submit the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application can be located in the U.S. Visas section on the U.S. Department of State. After submitting the application, print the DS-160 confirmation page, which is required for your visa interview. Be sure that the information you provide matches the information on your passport and Form I-20. 

U.S. Department of State website

Step 5: Schedule Your Visa Interview

Schedule an appointment for an F-1 student visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Appointment availability and visa processing times vary by country, so students are encouraged to schedule their interview as early as possible after receiving their Form I-20. You should also review the specific application instructions and required documents provided by the embassy or consulate where you will apply.

U.S. Department of State Embassy and Consulate finder

Prepare for Your Visa Interview

Bring the documents required by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which typically include:

• Valid passport
• Form I-20
• DS-160 confirmation page
• I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
• Visa application fee receipt (if applicable)
• Financial documentation
• Any additional documents requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Important Information

• Apply for your visa as early as possible to allow sufficient time for visa processing.
• Receiving a Form I-20 does not guarantee that an F-1 visa will be issued.
• Visa issuance is solely at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State and the consular officer conducting your interview.
• Students may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on their Form I-20.

Take a virtual tour of our beautiful campus and explore the interactive map.

• Initial Form I-20
  • Must be endorsed at the bottom of page one by both a Designated School Official (DSO) and the student.
  • This I-20 will say “Initial Attendance” on the first page.
• Valid Passport:
  • Must be valid at least six months into the future at the time of admission.
• Valid U.S. Visa
  • Does not apply to Canadian citizens
  • All other international travelers need to have a valid visa in their passport issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Receipt from paying the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 Fee.

• The University requires your health care provider to complete health forms to comply with Connecticut State Law regarding student immunizations. For more information, visit the Heath Services website.
• Failure to submit your health forms and immunizations will result in a block on your account and prohibit you from registering for courses.
  

Sacred Heart University offers full-time and part-time English as a Second Language (ESL) courses on our Fairfield campus during the day, evenings and on weekends. Visit the ESL website for additional information.

Education USA can help you prepare for your educational experience in the United States. Education USA centers are the U.S. State Department‘s network of over 400 advising centers in 170 countries designed to assist local students in finding the appropriate college or university in the United States. We encourage you to visit your local center for information on selecting the U.S. college or university that meets your needs, understanding and preparing for the required admissions tests, assistance in the admission process, advice on finding financial aid for your studies, preparation for the student visa process, and pre-departure orientations.

While studying at Sacred Heart, you must use your University email address for any correspondence and updates. Once enrolled and attending, all email communication must be done using this account.

Follow the instructions on the Activate Your SHU Email Account webpage to set up your account and allow at least 24 hours for activation.

Now that you are here in the US, you must travel to campus. Here is a link to the University’s transportation page with many options that are available or recommended to use.

 Transportation Information

• Reporting your U.S. address and phone number is part of maintaining your legal status in the U.S. and must be done within 10 days of moving
• To update, students must log into the Student Planning & Advising (SPA) website
  • Updating Your Information in SPA

• All students are required to attend an orientation session prior to the start of their first semester. Our primary goal at orientation is to assist students and their families with the transition to attending and experiencing Sacred Heart University.
• As a new student at SHU, you will have questions. We designed orientation around you, helping to uncover the answers to the questions you have and providing you with information about campus resources, programs and services. Orientation is an opportunity for you to learn how to navigate Sacred Heart University and introduce you to the SHU community.
• You will meet with student leaders and staff at the mandatory international student meeting during orientation. They will help you navigate campus and set up essential technology. They will also guide you through activities as well as answer your questions about life at SHU.

To better support international graduate students during their transition to life and study at Sacred Heart University, students will be enrolled in the Graduate Year Experience (GYE-500) course in their first semester. This course aims to familiarize students with the University’s support services, offer a structured support system and lay the foundation for academic and professional success at Sacred Heart and beyond.

Rooted in Sacred Heart University’s mission to educate the whole person—mind, body and spirit—while advancing social justice, the GYE-500 course promotes a holistic approach to student development. It acknowledges the unique challenges international graduate students face upon arrival and addresses the urgent need for a more comprehensive and guided support framework. By focusing on cultural and academic transitions, enhancing English and communication skills, and building career readiness, the course equips students with the tools they need to become confident, active learners. It empowers them to develop essential skills early on, helping them succeed in their academic programs and prepare for future careers in their respective fields. The discussion topics are organized in the following clusters: Transition to Life in the U.S., Academic Culture and Expectations, Mastering Effective Communication for Academic and Career Success and Career Readiness.

With the course being offered in person in a cohort model, in addition to providing students with practical knowledge and skills to better prepare them for academic success in their programs at Sacred Heart, the course will further provide a platform for students to establish a peer support system and develop connections with their classmates while going through a shared experience of cross-cultural transitions to the new cultural, social and academic environments together. The course is free of charge and offered through Graduate Student Life.