Handbook - Spring II 2014

Let’s Build the Future Together!
Congratulations on Your
Acceptance!
Spring II 2014
Stay connected:
www.viu.edu

Welcome to the VIU Family!
Welcome to your kind of
university! On behalf of
Virginia International
University, I would like to
extend my warmest
welcome to you. We are
honored that you have
chosen us, and we look
forward to having you join
the VIU family.
VIU is located in Fairfax,
Virginia, near
Washington, D.C. Our student body has individuals from
more than 70 countries around the world. The faculty and
staff at VIU are as diverse as the students. They are
dedicated to making our students feel welcome and at home
here in the United States.
This is an exciting time to be at VIU. Our alumni have become
leaders in their communities, and I am eager to see what you
will able to accomplish. As you continue on your academic
journey, know that VIU is with you, cheering you on as you
meet your goals!
Isa Sarac, PhD,
President

Important
Information
As a newly admitted student to VIU, you
are now ready to apply for your visa with
the U.S. Embassy. Here you will find
helpful information related to the visa
application process. I will help guide
you through this 5 Step Process.
Step #1: Pay Your Student and
Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS) Fee
HILARY KOZIKOWSKI,
Student Advisor
When you receive your I-20 from VIU, the first thing you will need
to do to begin the process of applying for an F-1 student visa is to
pay your SEVIS fee. All students applying for an F-1 visa to study in
the United States are required to pay this fee before having a visa
interview with the US Embassy or Consulate. You must have the I-
20 issued by VIU before you can pay the SEVIS fee.
Visit http://www.fmjfee.com . You may fill out the form online or
mail a paper version with the fee payment. The SEVIS fee is $200
USD. If you do not pay this fee, your visa application will
automatically be denied.
Once you have paid the fee and received your receipt, you may
contact the U.S. Embassy for a visa interview. Make sure to print
your payment confirmation. If you wait to receive your receipt by
mail, it can take two weeks.
You will need this information to pay your SEVIS fee:
VIU School Code:
WAS214F01193000
SEVIS #
(Located above the bar code on the right side of your I-20)

Step #2: Schedule Your Visa Interview
To schedule your visa interview, visit
http://www.usembassy.gov
The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants
can vary by country, so early visa application is strongly
encouraged.
Step #3: Prepare for Your Visa Interview
Applicants must demonstrate that they properly meet student visa
requirements including:
Have a residence abroad (an address in the country where you
live), with no intention of abandoning (permanently leaving) that
residence
Intend to depart from the United States upon completion of your
studies.
Have enough funds to pursue the proposed course of study.
Documents Required for Interview
Original I-20 form provided by VIU
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application form
A valid passport
One 2 inch x2 inch photograph
A receipt for your SEVIS fee payment
A receipt that shows payment of the visa application fee

Other Documents You Should Have with You:
University acceptance letter from VIU
Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools attended
TOEFL/IELTS, SAT, GMAT scores
Financial evidence or bank statements that show you or your
sponsor have enough money to cover your tuition and living
expenses
Step #4: Appearing at the Visa Interview
During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an
ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. You should
be prepared to honestly answer questions such as:
How did you hear about VIU?
Why do you want to study at VIU?
What will you study at VIU? How is this going to help you reach
your life objectives?
Where is VIU located? Where are you going to live while studying
at VIU?
Why do you want to study in the USA?
Step #5: After Completing the Interview
When you are granted an F-1 visa, make sure all of the
information on your visa is correct. Any corrections to the visa
can only be requested at the US embassy which granted your
visa.
The first thing you should do once you have been granted a visa is
notify VIU! You can do this by emailing us at admission@viu.edu.
REMEMBER
You must arrive at VIU by the first day of classes or you will not be
able to enroll!
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
US Embassy Information: http://www.usembassy.gov/
SEVIS website: www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
SEVIS Customer Service: 1-212-620-3418
VIU website: www.viu.edu
VIU Admission Office: 1-703-591-7042
admission@viu.edu

In case of your visa
is denied, you may
reapply.
In the meantime,
you are welcome
to enroll in VIU’s
Online School!
All of the degrees
and certificates
offered by VIU on
campus are offered
online as well.
VIU Online is
happy to welcome
students to study
with us anytime from anywhere in the world! Here are just some
of the many reasons why students choose VIU Online:
No Visa Requirement: You do not need a visa to study at VIU
Online, and the admission process is quick and easy.
Flexible 8-Week Format: You have the option to enroll in VIU
online courses 6 times per year, with Academic Sessions starting in
September, November, January, March, May and July.
Affordable Tuition & Scholarships: VIU Online tuition is more
affordable than on-campus tuition, and several scholarships are
available for online students.
Individual Attention from World-Class Faculty: Our online
classes are case-based to provide you with current hands-on
knowledge you can take into the workplace. We maintain small
class sizes so that you can benefit from individual attention from
your VIU professors.
ESL Online: In addition to academic programs, VIU Online also
offers ESL courses that are highly interactive and specifically
designed to improve your English language skills.
For more information, please visit: http://online.viu.edu/ or
e-mail us at info@online.viu.edu

Find a House
There are many different ways to find housing in the
communities surrounding VIU. You can find general information
about housing on our website at
http://www.viu.edu/students/services/housing.html
Q: When should I start looking for accommodation?
A: It is best to begin looking for accommodation as soon as you
have received your I-20. This will provide you with sufficient time
to explore multiple housing options before classes begin.
Q: Will temporary housing be available to me while I am searching
for accommodation?
A: There are several hotels within walking distance of VIU that are
affordable. If you wish to book a reservation with the discounted
VIU rate, please contact accommodation@viu.edu for help. You will
be responsible for covering the cost of temporary housing.
Q: How much does housing cost in the Fairfax area?
A: Housing costs depend on the type of housing you choose. The
estimated cost of sharing a bedroom with another student ranges
from $350-$600 USD per month. On top of rent, you should
anticipate expenses for internet, telephone, and utilities such as
water, gas, electricity, and heat. You may also be responsible for
purchasing furnishings for your room (such as a bed or couch).
If you would like assistance from VIU’s Housing Department,
please email accommodation@viu.edu.
Contact Us: Student Services
Address: 3949 Pender Drive. Suite #105, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone Number: 1-703-591-2760
VIU website: http://www.viu.edu

Important VIU Policies
1. All new students who enter the United States with an I-20 issued
by VIU are required to pay their semester tuition by the first day of
classes, March 10 th , 2014.
2. Students who do not register for classes and pay their tuition fees
by the add/drop deadline, March 17 th , 2014, will have their I-20
terminated and will be legally out of status.
3. All VIU students holding a student visa must be enrolled in the VIU
Health Insurance Program. Insurance payments will be made
during your first tuition payment.
4. Check your Visa for mistakes as soon as you receive it. Mistakes on
your Visa cannot be corrected once you arrive in the United States.
5. You will not be allowed to enter the United States before
February 3 rd , 2014.
6. All new students are required to attend the new student
orientation on March 5 th , 2014.
My University – My Future
VIU offers great services to
international students, assisting us in finding
affordable housing, earning scholarships, fun
academic and social events, and on-campus
employment opportunities.
-Washington DC: VIU’s location in the
US capital area provides students with great
learning, travel, and work opportunities.
-No TOEFL requirement: If you are unable
to take the TOEFL exam, you can take the
VIU English placement test
Natalia Christina Vicario Mois:
MBA Student
Virginia International University (VIU) is certified to operate in Virginia by the SCHEV and
accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
11200 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA, USA 22030
www.viu.edu | admission@viu.edu | +1(703) 591-7042