Congratulations on your admission to Central Michigan University! The International Admissions team, along with the entire CMU community, is here to support you as you finalize your enrollment. Below is our admitted student checklist, which will guide you through the next steps of the enrollment process.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at isr@cmich.edu.
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Your Global ID and PIN are your keys to becoming a Central Michigan University student.
You can find your Global ID and PIN in your admissions letter. The Global ID and PIN will be used to activate your new student account.
Website link: https://myaccount.cmich.edu/newaccount
Please Note: When you first log in to your CMU account using your Global ID, you will be prompted to activate your MFA (Multi Factor Authentication). For more information on how to do this, review the Frequently Asked Questions about Multi-Factor Authentication page.
Allow about 24 hours for your application portal to update. You will receive an email indicating the update is complete.
If you have any questions regarding your Global ID and/or password, you should contact CMU's Information Technology Help Desk at +1-989-774-3662 or helpdesk@cmich.edu.
Use your CMU Global ID and password from step 2 to log in to international student portal at https://international.cmich.edu/. In addition to proof of funding, you will need to upload:
Follow the instructions on the first screen. Proceed through the remaining tabs to complete the I-20 request. Pay close attention to the amount of funding you are required to demonstrate. This is listed on the "Financial Details" tab.
Once you've completed all of the requirements and uploaded the necessary documentation, proceed to the "Completed" tab and click on the "Complete" button.
We host admitted student webinars monthly. We'll discuss:
All incoming students will receive an invitation to their CMU email inbox.
The SEVIS fee, also known as the Federal SEVIS I-901 fee, is a mandatory fee that must be paid by students and exchange visitors before applying for an F-1.
The fee is $350 for the F-1 visa. The fee can be paid by credit card, Western Union Quick Pay or by mail. We do not recommend paying the fee by mail for it might take as long as four weeks to be processed.
To pay the fee online, visit http://www.fmjfee.com.
Complete the form I-901. Be sure that you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your I-20. The SEVIS ID number is printed on the top left of your I-20. The SEVIS number starts with the letter N.
Once you have paid using a credit card, print the receipt. Do not exit the receipt page until you print the receipt. You will not be able to return to the receipt page once closed.
Complete the online application form DS-160. All forms must be completed and signed and can be found at http://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in their parent’s passport.
When filling out the DS-160 the university address can be found on the I-20.
The contact person is the staff member that signed your I-20.
Visit http://www.usembassy.gov to locate the embassy or consulate near you to schedule your required visa appointment. Wait times for an appointment can be lengthy so apply as soon as possible upon receiving your I-20.
All students must submit their official, final transcripts and proof of degree (if applicable) before the first day of classes. This transcript must confirm your education at your academic level has been completed, reflect your final grades and come directly from your institution.
Please review the following options:
Electronic submission: Your university can send your transcript via secure electronic delivery service to isr@cmich.edu.
In-person submission: You may bring your transcript with you to campus. The transcript must be sealed in an envelope stamped by your previously attended institution(s). During the week before classes, the International Admissions team will be available to process your documents.
Mail submission: Your university can mail hard copies of your transcript to the following address.
Central Michigan UniversityUpon visa approval, students will be required to pay their enrollment deposit.
This $2,000 deposit includes the orientation fee and tuition deposit.
This fee is non-refundable.
Find out more on the enrollment deposit page.
When purchasing your plane ticket, international students should note the start date on your I-20. You are allowed to enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the start date listed on the I-20.
Note that residence halls for on-campus students are not generally available for move-in until just prior to orientation. Questions about early move-in can be directed to reslife@cmich.edu.
Please check your CMU mailbox for more information about pre-arrival, and reach out to us at arrival@cmich.edu with any updates or questions so we can better prepare for your arrival.
In-person check-in is required for all new students. Please report to Ronan Hall 330 upon arrival.
During check-in, our office will make sure you are registered properly, and account holds are removed to allow for class registration. Please see below for more details about the check-in process.
Orientation is required for all new students. Keep an eye on your CMU inbox for details on orientation day.
You can connect with your academic advisor to ensure that you understand your degree requirements and take the correct classes during your first semester.
Undergraduate students will meet with an academic advisor during orientation week for new international students. Graduate-level students should consult with their academic department.
Your first semester bill will be calculated after registering for your courses. You will receive an email when your bill is available. Please pay for your bill before the due date to avoid any late fees. You will not receive a bill if you do not register for classes.
When purchasing your plane ticket, please note the start date on your I-20. You are allowed to enter the United States no more than 30 days before the reporting date listed on your I-20. You should not enter the United States after the start date listed on the I-20. If you are facing unexpected delays, please notify our office as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Important documents to carry with you on the plane in your personal item:
In the event that the officer needs to verify information with your school or program, you can contact our office at 989-774-4308.
Mount Pleasant has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. More information about Mount Pleasant can be found here.
Warm jackets, scarves, hats, gloves and boots are essential for winter (November-March). Waterproof outerwear and umbrellas are essential in rainy weather. You may also want to bring small personal items, such as photographs, traditional dress or other items to personalize your new home. Keep in mind residence halls have limited space. It is best to purchase electrical appliances after you arrive in the U.S., as appliances manufactured outside the U.S. may not be compatible with the power supply.
It is advisable to carry a small amount of U.S. cash, in paper currency and coins, for baggage carts, bus/train fares and tips. Most airports have currency conversion stations for this purpose.
Upon filling out the check-in request, you will want to be sure to gather and scan the following documents:
More information about the required international student check-in will also be available in a Travel Tip email.
Health insurance is required for all international students. Our office will automatically register all international students in the group policy per CMU's policy, and students will be billed each semester.
The most current information on health insurance is located at the link below. Please make sure to refer to this link for any insurance questions you may have. If you are not able to find an answer, please email IHealth@cmich.edu.
The enrollment process for insurance happens after you are in the US and checked in. Once enrolled, students will receive an email from GeoBlue with their plan information and can download the app to access their insurance ID, plan benefits, and customer service.
Students will register for courses during our New Student Orientation program.
Graduate students should schedule a meeting with their academic advisor when they arrive on campus. Your advisor will introduce you to the department, help you register for courses and review program requirements.
Undergraduate students must also complete the CMU Math Placement test.
Plagiarism, cheating and all other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students are expected to adhere to the ethical and professional standards associated with their programs and academic courses. Alleged violations of this section shall be adjudicated in accordance with CMU's Policy on Academic Integrity.
There are a variety of services to assist you with your academics while you are a student at CMU. Read about the different services provided by Academic Assistance and Advising.
When you are asked to provide Proof of Finances for your I-20, you are demonstrating the cost of tuition and estimated living expenses for one year at CMU.
Please note: The Proof of Finances required to issue an I-20 are accurate at the time that the I-20 is issued. These costs are estimated and are subject to change based upon the university tuition rates and living expenses.
Tuition rates are traditionally updated around July 1 of each year. Any changes that occur are not communicated by the OIA; students should watch the Cost of Attendance webpage and communicate with their department to verify tuition rates.
Student bills are handled by One Central. Students will learn more about how to pay their bills at the mandatory International Student Orientation but can view the links below to learn a little more prior to arriving on campus.
Graduate assistantships are employment-related appointments that allow you to complete your graduate degree, work in a higher education setting and offset the cost of your program.
Many students work on campus to help offset the cost of their education. You can find job openings through Student Employment Services.