You're Admitted! What's Next?
The information provided pertains to those students who are admitted to the university as undergraduate or graduate students.
Next Steps
Access your WebID and reset the password. As an admitted student, you should receive an email from it@olemiss.edu with your WebID asking you to reset your password. Your WebID grants you access to my.olemiss.edu and your @go.olemiss.edu email address, and it will be used throughout your time at the university for processes such as:
- applying for on campus housing
- course registration
- acceptance of scholarship awards
- viewing grades
- and more
F-1 Students
Expect to receive an email regarding access to your ISSS student portal. Follow the instructions in the email to upload the necessary documents into your account.
- Students must show proof of sufficient finances[BOX FORM LINK] before an I-20 can be issued by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The I-20 must be presented at the U.S. Consulate when applying for a student visa.
- A copy of the passport information page
Students will be sent electronic access to their form I-20 by ISSS.
See I-20 Frequently Asked Questions.
J-1 Students
Expect to receive an email regarding access to your ISSS student portal. Follow the instructions in the email to upload the necessary documents into your account.
- Students must show proof of sufficient finances[BOX FORM LINK] before a DS-2019 can be issued by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The DS-2019 must be presented at the U.S. Consulate when applying for a student visa.
- A copy of the passport information page
Students will be sent electronic access to their form D-2019 by ISSS.
This US government required fee is for support of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a computerized system that maintains and manages data about foreign students during their stay in the U.S.
The fee can be paid to the Department of Homeland Security by mail, online or through Western Union Quick Pay.
To Pay Online
- Complete the Form I-901 at USCIS I-901 Fee Website. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form and your date of birth in month/day/year format.
- Supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. Debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo are also accepted.
- Print a copy of the online receipt.
To Pay By Mail
or By Using Western Union Quick PaySee instructions at SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions
F-1 Student Visa
Follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for a student visa application.
- A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at USEmbassy.gov. Be sure that it is known that you are applying for a student visa as student visa applications are given priority for scheduling. The consulate can issue an F-1 visa up to one year before the start date on the I-20.
Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application
Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site
Prepare and bring the following items to your visa interview
- Passport valid for at least six months into the future
- Form I-20
- Completed visa application
- Receipts for payment of the SEVIS and Visa Application fees
- Financial evidence to show there are sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study
- Be prepared to explain the program you will be a part of at The University of Mississippi, your reasons for wanting to participate and any information that helps to establish your nonimmigrant intent since the F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant status.
- Any additional information listed on the consulate’s website
Receive F-1 Visa Stamp from U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Note: Students from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the visa requirement but must pay the SEVIS fee and present the I-20 when entering the U.S.
J-1 Student Visa
Follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for a visa application.
- A list of Consulates and Embassies can be found at USEmbassy.gov. If you are a student, be sure that it is known that you are applying for a student visa, as these applications are given priority for scheduling. Sometimes it is possible to request an expedited appointment because of the semester dates after first scheduling a regular appointment. Consulates can differ by city/country in how appointments are scheduled.
Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application
Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site.
Prepare and bring the following items to your visa interview
- Passport valid for at least six months into the future
- Form DS-2019
- Receipts for payment of the SEVIS and Visa Application fees
- Financial evidence to show there are sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period you intend to study
- Be prepared to explain the program in which you will participate at The University of Mississippi, your reasons for wanting to participate and any information that helps to establish your nonimmigrant intent since the J-1 visa is for nonimmigrant status.
- Any additional information listed on the consulate’s website
Receive J-1 Visa Stamp from U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Note: Students from Canada and Bermuda are exempt from the visa requirement but must pay the SEVIS fee and present the DS-2019 when entering the U.S.
Make sure to review all information in the Pre-Arrival Guide.
The Pre-Arrival Guide covers:
- Immunization
- Housing
- Orientation
- Health Insurance
- Arrival Day
- Finances
- Course Registration
- Living in Oxford
Upcoming Events
In-Person Orientation - Freshman
See Pre-Arrival Guide for more information
- August 19, 2025 - August 20, 2025
- All Day
In-Person Orientation - Transfers
See Pre-Arrival Guide for more information
- August 21, 2025
- All Day
Bursar Bill Payment Due
See Pre-Arrival Guide for more information
- September 15, 2025 - August 20, 2025
- All Day
Deferral Request Form
Where is my scholarship letter?
International Student and Scholar Services issues all Forms I-20 and Forms DS-2019 for students intending to hold F-1 or J-1 visa status at the start of their studies at the University of Mississippi.
- Form I-20 will be issued to F1 Visa Status students
- Form DS-2019 will be issued to J1 Visa Status students
Form I-20 (or DS-2019) will be issued to you AFTER you
- Apply to the University of Mississippi
- Get accepted and become admitted into the University
- Provide evidence of fiscal solvency (which may include university scholarships or external funding support)
- Your evidence must be deemed to meet stated requirements!
Email isss@olemiss.edu for assistance.
Affidavit of Financial Support
In General
- The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that students verify their ability to meet the costs of the first year of study before the University of Mississippi can issue SEVIS Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or SEVIS Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students).
- International Student and Scholar Services requires therefore international students intending to hold F-1 or J-1 visa status as they begin their academic program at the University of Mississippi to complete the Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
- Please follow the instructions on the form closely.
Additional notes
- Students must have a plan to support themselves during their entire length of study.
- With the exception of graduate level Graduate Assistantships/Instructorships, on-campus student employment is not guaranteed, should not be seen as a significant means of support while at the University, and cannot be included as a basis of financial support on the Affidavit of Financial Support Form.
- The issuance of an F-1 or J-1 visa, and thus admission to the USA, is based on the student having sufficient financial funds available to cover the total cost of study, including tuition, fees, living expenses (i.e., housing and food).
- Students with balance due on their university bursar account will not be permitted to continue their studies in a subsequent semester.
- Please do not expect (additional) financial assistance from the University after you have arrived on campus. You will be notified of scholarship or funding support in writing before you leave your home country.
Form I-20 FAQs
Passport Name
This is not a required field and is typically blank
Admission number
This field is not used and schools do not even have access to enter data here. It is correct for it to be blank.
Major
The response to this field is not one that schools type. Schools select from a standard list of codes called the Classification of Instructional Programs(CIP) which may or may not match the exact wording of what the school calls the program. The university matched its programs to the appropriate choice on the CIP list and the ISSS office must use what the university has chosen.
How to Avoid Scams
In increasing number of reports in various scams are targeting international students and scholars including postal service delivery, social security, and health insurance.
Some are housing and rental scams where exchange visitors transfer money before they start their program to a fraudulent realtor or landlord, scamming the victims out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Other reported scams involve phone calls from alleged government representatives demanding personal information and money with threats of deportation from the U.S.
Please familiarize yourself with the USCIS page with information: Avoid Common Scams
Think before you act and double check with ISSS, UPD, or your nearest consulate if something you have been contacted about doesn't seem right.
- The IRS, the police and the immigration service will NEVER ask for any form of payment, including gift cards, to avoid an arrest.
- If you are an international student, confirm any communications with your government by calling your local consulate.
- Always be suspicious of phone calls from unknown individuals or phone numbers that you do not recognize. Real telephone numbers can be ‘spoofed’. If in doubt, you can look up the real phone numbers and call these numbers back yourself.
- Do not conduct business over the phone with callers you do not know.
- Never share your online information with anyone.
- Never share personal or financial information over the phone or the Internet with someone you do not know, for example, social security number, debit/credit/pre-paid card numbers, etc.
- If anyone contacts you and asks you to pay or send them money using Bitcoin, wire transfer, or pre-paid cards of any sort, this is probably a scam.
- If anyone calls asking for payment due to your involvement in a criminal case, hang up the phone and call your local police department.
- If you cannot verify the caller’s identity, feel unsafe, or suspect criminal activity, call the University Police Department at 662-915-7234
Social Security
Some scams include people asking for your Social Security Number. NEVER GIVE OUT THIS INFORMATIONunless you know 100% that the person asking is legitimate. The Social Security Administration recommends that you call SSA’s toll-free number, 800-772-1213, to verify the reason for the contact and the person’s identity prior to providing any information to the caller.
You can also call the Social Security fraud hotline: 800-269-0271. The Federal Trade Commission is warning that Social Security-related scams have heated up. You can file a complaint about such impostor scams, including Social Security or IRS scams, at the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
If you aren’t sure what to look out for, please check out these resources:
What a common scam sounds like
Taxes
When it comes to filing your taxes, it is helpful to be aware of some scams associated with taxes. Please watch the following videos to familiarize yourself:
There have been an increasing number of reports in various scams targeting international students and scholars. Some are housing and rental scams where incoming students transfer money before they start their program to a fraudulent realtor or landlord, scamming the victims out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
If you are unsure whether a job offer is legit, call the company at a phone number you know is real - not one the recruiter gave you.
Identity Theft happens when someone uses your personal information without permission. Personal information includes:
- Names
- Addresses
- Credit cards
- Social Security numbers
- Bank Account information
Warning signs and how to report identity theft
Check out the FTC’s post “What to do when someone steals your identity“
On-Campus Mail Service
Pak Mail Ole Miss is the official University of Mississippi student mailbox service provider. We are also the most complete packing and shipping business you will ever use.
Some Services We Provide
Rent a mailbox
Ship a package
Ship something overnight
Get a money order
During the school year we can help do everything from sticking a stamp on a letter, to packing and shipping delicate items. And when you are ready to head home for the summer or back to school in the fall, let us help? We are your student packing, shipping and moving expert.
Competitive Pricing
When you ship with us, you’ll have the opportunity to compare rates from our preferred network of carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS & more) and delivery options to guarantee the most competitive price and efficient delivery method. Select from the top carriers to ensure safe and secure delivery each and every time.
Pak Mail Ole Miss is a full service packing and shipping store as well as a custom crating and freight shipping company. Request a Free Online Estimate or call us at 662-236-9075.
Location
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Events & News
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Get Involved
There are many students organizations on campus, everything to cultural to academic.
Go to Student Involvement