YOU'RE ADMITTED! WHAT'S NEXT?

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

• 1. 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.
  2. Supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. Debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo are also accepted.
  3. Print a copy of the online receipt.

To Pay By Mail

See instructions at SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment by Western Union Quick Pay Instructions

 F-1 Student Visa

1. 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.

2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 

3. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site

4. 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

5. 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

1. 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.

2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 

3. Pay the visa application fee by following instructions on your local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s site.

4. 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

5. 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.

All students must submit immunization records to the Health Center. See the Health Center’s website for more information about how to submit your records.

All international students are required to be screened for TB. Your international student advisor will schedule an appointment at the Health Center for your TB test after you arrive in person on campus.

The University of Mississippi has a freshman residency requirement, so all new freshmen must live on campus. In order to book a space on campus, you must activate your WebID and complete the housing application.

Check out our residence halls! There are a variety of options.

Visit the Student Housing website to sign up for a space on campus.

BOTH orientation events are required for international students.

International Student Orientation (Online)

Your international student advisor will share our online international student orientation with you by email within 30 days of the start of classes.

New Student Orientation (In-Person)

All international undergraduate degree-seeking students are required to attend the university’s general undergraduate orientation. Registration for international students will be available online. The registration fee covers expenses for program, including materials and most meals. This will be a very informative two days that will explain the culture of Ole Miss and how to take care of all your needs as a first year student. You will also have your academic advising appointment during this orientation.  Attendance is required to register for courses.

How to Register for In-Person Undergraduate Orientation

1. Go online to myOleMiss
2. Sign in with your WebID and password
3. Once you log in, select the orientation tab
4. Select the ‘Sign Up for Orientation’ link
5. Complete the form, and click Submit once (multiple clicks can result in multiple charges)
   • Your orientation fee(s) can be paid online by bank draft or with a debit or credit card (VISA or MasterCard only).
   • Your reservation at orientation is only guaranteed once you complete the online registration and payment is received. You will receive an orientation confirmation email to your Ole Miss email account when your registration in confirmed.

Flights

The closest international airport is Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Memphis, Tennessee. We recommend that you fly into Memphis to get to Oxford, Mississippi. Other airports are much farther away, and we do not recommend that you chose another airport. Transportation to the campus will be difficult if you choose another airport.

Getting to campus

The Office of Global Engagement offers a free bus from the Memphis International Airport (MEM) on the OFFICIAL ARRIVAL DAY. Your international student advisor will share a sign-up form by email (isss@olemis.edu) so you can reserve your spot.

Transportation from the Memphis International Airport (MEM) can be difficult to secure if you arrive outside of the official arrival day, so we highly recommend that you book a spot on our free bus to campus. If you will arrive before or after the official arrival day, please visit Travel for more information regarding transportation options.

NOTE:Pay attention to the "Earliest Admission Date"  and the "Program Start/End Date" listed on your I-20. Entry to the U.S. is not allowed prior to earliest admission date or after the program start date.

• 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:

oig.ssa.gov  |  ssa.gov

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:

Federal Trade Commission

IRS video(How to Avoid Tax Scams)

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.

How to Spot Rental Scams

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. 

Federal Trade Commission- Consumer Advice

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“