Complete Guide and Check List
For International Students
8 Quick Steps to our Campus
Apply Online
Applications for non-degree, associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs can be completed online. International students are welcome to apply through the ‘Apply as International Student’ section on our website. The application fee is $75 for doctoral programs and $50 for non-doctoral programs.
To apply, please follow these steps:
- Click on ‘Apply Online’ on our website.
- Choose the appropriate program: Undergraduate, Master’s, or Doctoral.
- Complete the application form, pay the application fee, and make the required deposit.
Once your application is submitted, it will be processed, and a welcome email will be sent to you, advising you to look out for your admission letter. We recommend reviewing the academic pages on our website to ensure you meet the admission requirements for your selected program.
Receive admission letter by email
Your application and submitted documents will undergo a review process. If your application meets the required criteria, an Admission Letter will be issued. This letter will outline the total program costs, including tuition and fees, living expenses, and any additional expenses for the first year.
Student Account (Populi) is created for you.
Following your admission, an account will be set up for you on the College’s Learning Management Portal, and a unique student ID will be issued and shared with you. As an international student, you should have received your official admission letter by now.
Congratulations on your acceptance to RUNA! Now, what are the next steps?
What Next?
Fulfill Financial Requirement & Documentation
Complete Financial Requirements & Submit Documentation
Upon receiving your admission letter, the Finance Department will assess the following charges:
– Application Fee: $75 for Doctoral programs or $50 for Non-Doctoral programs (if not already paid during the application process).
– Administrative Fee: A $250 administrative fee applicable to all enrolled students.
– Refundable Deposit: A deposit equal to 30% of the first-year tuition or $2,500, whichever is higher. Please note that students who have been awarded a partial scholarship are still required to pay this deposit upfront. The remaining tuition and fees will be due upon arrival in the United States, with the scholarship applied to the student’s account afterward.
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The refundable deposit can be returned after the session begins, subject to visa denial or other reasons properly communicated and deemed acceptable by the College before the scheduled program start date.
Requirements for Personal and Family Bank Statements
The following criteria must be met for personal or family bank statements submitted as part of your financial documentation:
- Bank Statement Details: Provide a six-month bank statement on official bank letterhead, signed by a bank representative. The statement must clearly show the account holder鈥檚 name, type of account, bank name, and branch. It should be issued within the last six months from the start date of the trimester for which you are seeking admission and must specify the available funds.
- Sponsorship Documentation: If a family member is providing financial support, they must submit a letter of sponsorship that includes:
- A declaration of their commitment to support you financially.
- The duration of their financial support.
- The amount they will provide.
- 听Their relationship to you.
Receiving Your Form I-20
Once all required fees have been paid, RUNA will issue Form I-20, which will include your SEVIS ID. You will need this SEVIS ID to pay the SEVIS fee, which can be done through designated payment services such as Western Union. The SEVIS fee is a mandatory payment to the U.S. government and must be made before scheduling a visa interview.
听To issue a new or updated Form I-20, RUNA requires proof of financial documentation. Please submit the required financial documents to RUNA. For further assistance, you may contact [email protected].
听Important Reminders:
- Carefully review the financial requirements below and submit all requested documents promptly to avoid delays in processing your Form I-20.
- Retain original copies of your Form I-20 and other key documents, as they will be necessary during your visa application process. If the documents are not in English, certified translations must be provided along with the original documents.
- RUNA may request additional financial documentation if needed, and original copies may be required at the university’s discretion.
Financial Documentation Requirements:
RUNA is obligated by U.S. regulations to confirm that international students have sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for their program. To fulfill this requirement, please follow these steps:
- Pay the $3,000 deposit to your financial account or transfer funds to the university鈥檚 designated Chase account.
- Obtain a bank statement with a minimum balance sufficient to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses.
- Complete the Affidavit of Support and Statement of Support (Form I-134).
- Provide a Sponsor鈥檚 Statement for International Students.
- Submit all financial documents and settle any outstanding charges.
Once all required payments and documentation have been completed, RUNA will mail your Form I-20 to you.
Congratulations on receiving your Form I-20!
Obtain Your F-1 Student Visa
Once you have received your Form I-20, the next step is to apply for an F-1 student visa. Follow the steps below to begin your application process:
Steps to Apply for an F-1 Visa:
- Pay the SEVIS Fee: Use your SEVIS ID to pay the SEVIS fee, which is required for all international students.
- Ensure You Have a Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.
- Schedule an Appointment: Set up an appointment with the U.S. Consulate at the nearest U.S. Embassy.
- Attend Your Visa Interview: Go to your visa interview with a U.S. Consular Officer and bring all required documentation.
Pay for SEVIS I-901
After getting your I-20, you should make payment for your听SEVIS 1-901听and collect your receipt. The Form I-20 issued will carry on it, SEVIS ID that will be used to pay SEVIS Fee at designated points such as听Western Union.
How to pay SEVIS using Western Union
Fill out Form I-901 online at www.fmjfee.com. A听payment coupon will be generated听upon completion of the form. You MUST听听prior to visiting your local Western Union. The generated unique coupon number is what you will need to validate and process your payment at Western Union.听You CANNOT submit payment via Western Union without the coupon number.
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You do not have to print the coupon to bring to Western Union; you just need the unique coupon number in order to submit your payment.
If a third party is paying your I-901 Fee on your behalf, you will need to provide them with your coupon number to enter in the Account Number field of the Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect Form.鈥�
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Note that not all countries where Western Union services are available offer the Quick Pay鈩� service. To confirm that the Quick Collect鈩�/Quick Pay鈩� service is available in a location near you, find your nearest Western Union branch by visiting听听or calling 1-800-325-6000.
Example of the Payment Coupon
Print a copy of the payment coupon, or copy the coupon code, and take it to your local Western Union.
Fill out the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form according to the information found at the bottom of the printed coupon. Example below:
- Company Name (or Code City): SEVISFEE or SEVISFEEMO
- Account Number: Coupon Number (ex: 010222013872390)
- Amount: $350
**Please note that the payment amount may differ according your specific visa type.
Present the coupon and your payment to the Western Union Agent for processing.
Example of the Western Union using the Send Money/Pay Bill Form.
Western Union Quick Pay for International F/M/J Visa Instructions
| Field | Directions |
|---|---|
| Your Information: | If someone else is paying for you, they must provide their information in this section If you are paying for yourself, you must provide your information in this section |
| I Want To: | Select the Pay a Bill option |
| Company Name: | SEVISFEE |
| Account Number: | Write your coupon number from your online payment coupon |
| Amount (dollars): | Enter the dollar amount as it appears on your payment coupon If you are participating in Camp Counselor, Au Pair or Summer Work/Travel, your SEVIS fee is $35 For all other exchange visitor programs, your SEVIS fee is $220 If you are an F/M student, your SEVIS fee is $350 A SEVIS Fee is not required for the following: If you are seeking to participate in an exchange visitor program with a program identifier prefix of G-1, G-2, G-3 or G7, you do not need to pay a fee If you are seeking admission to the United States in F-2, M-2 or J-2, status you do not need to pay a fee |
The information in the sender block is your information 鈥� do not copy the information from the sample.
Example of the Western Union using the Send Money/Pay Bill Form.
Western Union Quick Pay for International F/M/J Visa Instructions
| Field | Directions |
|---|---|
| Pay To Name (or Code City): | SEVISFEE |
| Account Number: | Write your coupon number from your online payment coupon |
| Send Amount (Dollars): | Enter the dollar amount as it appears on your payment coupon If you are participating in Camp Counselor, Au Pair or Summer Work/Travel, your SEVIS fee is $35. For all other exchange visitor programs, your SEVIS fee is $220 If you are an F/M student, your SEVIS fee is $350 A SEVIS Fee is not required for the following: If you are seeking to participate in an exchange visitor program with a program identifier prefix of G-1, G-2, G-3 or G7, you do not need to pay a fee If you are seeking admission to the United States in F-2, M-2 or J-2 status, you do not need to pay a fee. |
| Your Information: | If someone else is paying for you, they must provide their information in this section If you are paying for yourself, you must provide your information in this section |
The information in the sender block is your information 鈥� do not copy the information from the sample.
Example of the Western Union using the Quick Collect Form.
Western Union Payment linked to FmjFee Account
Once successful, your payment will be linked to your Form I-901 and your听听will be available immediately. You will be able to go to your Visa Appointment 2-3 days after your payment has posted.
The SEVIS fee goes directly to the听Government of the United States of America, and it must be paid before听seeking an interview date for a Visa. Check the current status of SEVIS Fee payment at听听(It will show 鈥楶aid鈥� If payment has been updated).
{Make an alert on the price (the prices might change so we need to update it separately from the content The price for SEVIS is $350 currently}
VISA Information
After receiving your Form I-20, it is important to schedule a visa interview appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can find a list of all U.S. Embassies abroad online, along with detailed instructions on how to schedule your visa interview and the necessary documents required for the process.
Before your interview, you must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (Form DS-160).
Preparation for Your Visa Interview
Although a visa interview is different from a job interview, it is a significant step in your academic journey, one that requires careful preparation. Arrive early on the day of your interview. Be sure to bring the following documents:
- An original copy of your Form I-20.
- Your admission letter or proof of registration.
- A copy of the financial documents submitted to RCCGNA Seminary.
- The receipt of your SEVIS I-901 payment.
Generally, presenting your Form I-20, admission letter, financial documents, and SEVIS payment receipt should enable you to obtain your visa.
Note for Canadian Citizens: If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not require a visa from the American Consulate. However, you must present your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) upon entering the U.S.
The F-1 visa is designated for full-time academic students. To qualify for this visa, you must provide a Form I-20. Funding for your education may come from personal or family resources, as well as other forms of sponsorship. It is essential to maintain full-time student status during each academic year to avoid losing your visa status.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 students are permitted to work on campus after nine months of entering the U.S. under F-1 status. If your academic program lasts at least 12 months, you may be eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) during your program. Please note that any time used for OPT prior to graduation will count against the total 12 months available. Many students choose to reserve this time for post-graduation employment in the U.S.
After completing your studies as outlined on your Form I-20, you will be granted an additional 60 days in the U.S. to either prepare for departure or transfer to another institution.
The F-2 visa option is available for spouses and children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the primary F-1 visa holder in the U.S. for the duration of their stay. Please note that F-2 visa dependents are not permitted to study full-time or work under any circumstances.
Working on Campus
F-1 students are eligible to apply for off-campus work authorization after nine months in the U.S. If your academic program is a minimum of 12 months long, you may qualify for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) during your program. Keep in mind that any OPT time used prior to graduation will be deducted from the total 12-month allowance. Many students choose to reserve this time for employment in the U.S. after graduation.
Upon completion of your studies as detailed on your Form I-20, you will receive an additional 60 days in the U.S. to prepare for departure or to transfer to another institution.
Once you have obtained your visa, you should begin making travel arrangements to the U.S. Your arrival must be within 30 days prior to the start date of your academic program. Ensure you bring your visa, Form I-20, and any other essential documents with you during your travels. It is advisable to keep these documents on your person, as well as in your checked baggage.
Upon your arrival in the U.S., the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency will automatically collect your arrival and departure information through your electronic travel record, generating an electronic Form I-94 admission record.
The number on your Form I-94 will serve as your Immigration Admission Number. Typically, this record will indicate “D/S” (Duration of Status) as marked by the Immigration Officer. This designation means you will maintain legal status as long as you are a full-time student pursuing the degree specified on your Form I-20.
Please pay close attention to the completion date on your Form I-20. Ignoring this date may result in the loss of your legal status. If you anticipate that you will not complete your program by the date indicated on your Form I-20, contact the university administration at least 60 days prior to the expiration to request an extension.
All new international students are required to check in with the university upon arrival. This process will confirm your status as a student and prepare you for classes. We look forward to welcoming you!