Welcome to Cleveland State University. We recommend that you arrive on campus, at least two weeks before your classes begin. You must check in to the Center for International Services and Programs office in Main Classroom 106 before school begins and attend International Student Orientation. Check our Website for any new information. Click here for Airport pick-up & Temporary Housing.

Visa and Department of Homeland Security(DHS) Information:

Please follow instructions for the category relating to your situation:

• If you are currently residing in your home country:
  You have been sent a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS 2019) to be presented at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy (www.state.gov/countries) when you apply for an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor visa. You should also present your original financial documents and your letter of admission.
  • SEVIS Fee: Go to (www.fmjfee.com) regarding the SEVIS Fee. You must pay the fee before going to the embassy/consulate. Evey thing can be completed online. If you have trouble contact : intadvisor@csuohio.edu.
  • Caution: Do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa unless "prospective student" is noted AND do not enter on a visa waiver or you will be refused at the U.S. point of entry. Dependents (F-2, J-2) must have a separate I-20 or DS 2019 document
• If you are in the US on another visa (J-2, H-4, etc...) or you have applied for permanent residency:
  You are not required to become an F-1 or J-1 holder while studying at the university. However, F-2 holders who wish to attend school must change their status to F-1. Our office will provide services to you as needed. Should you need or wish to change to F-1 or J-1 status, please contact our office.
• If you are presently studying in the US on an F-1 visa:
  You plan to depart the US before school begins: Request that your I-20 form be sent to you. You must use the CSU issued I-20 to re-enter the US. You will not depart the US before school begins: Immigration regulations require you to be in valid F-1 status at your current school to transfer to CSU. Your international advisor should indicate that your wish to transfer in the SEVIS system. If you are "Out of Status", you must discuss reinstatement with someone in the International Center. Your I-20 for CSU will not be mailed to you, but can be picked up in our office after you register.
  • WARNING: The transfer process MUST be completed within 15 days from the start of the semester or you will have violated your F-1 status. You may not work on campus until your F-1 immigration transfer has been approved.
• If you are already studying in the US on a J-1 visa:
  Contact our office so that you can proceed with a transfer to our J-1 program. Please bring a copy of your current DS 2019 and I-94 card.
  • Canadian Visa:
    If you wish to visit Canada during your stay in Cleveland, it is advisable that you obtain a Canadian visitor's visa in your home country.

Fees and Finances

It is recommended that you bring traveler's checks or a check made payable to Cleveland State University for your first semester's tuition. Tuition and health insurance for students are approximately $8500.00 per semester. You should also bring traveler’s checks in the amount of $3000.00 to pay for your first month’s rent, rent deposit, and books, etc. You may also use credit cards. All international students must be enrolled full time (12 credits for undergraduate students and 8 credits for graduate students). If you wish to wire money from abroad, please see your welcome letter for account details.

Health Issues

You will be required to get a skin test for Tuberculosis (TB) once you arrive on campus. You may get this test done at orientation or at the Health Services Center in the Science Research Bldg. on the 1 st floor. Testing conducted elsewhere will NOT be accepted. NO OTHER MEDICAL TEST IS REQUIRED

Students are required to have health insurance while at Cleveland State University. The CSU health insurance policy provides low cost health care and you will be automatically billed for health insurance upon registration.

Waivers from the University health insurance policy are limited to:

• Students sponsored by the U.S government, their government, or an NGO in which health care coverage is included in the scholarship.
• Students who have coverage through a parent’s or spouse’s work.
• Students presently insured with a U.S health insurance company receiving benefits due to an ongoing illness or accident.

You must meet one of these requirements to waive or you MUST purchase CSU insurance. You may NOT purchase insurance from an outside carrier. For more information click here.

Clothing and Weather

September to December are cool to cold months in Cleveland. Temperature ranges between 70 degrees F, (degrees 21C) to 32 degrees F (degrees 0C ). Summer clothing gives way to sweater and then winter coats, hats ,gloves and boots in December. The average January temperature is 28.5 Fahrenheit (-1.9 Celsius). While the average annual snowfall is 40 inches (101.6 cm). Students should pack warm clothing appropriate for cold winter weather and should invest in warm winter shoes to avoid frost bite. If you are coming from a warm climate, it may be more affordable to purchase winter clothing after your arrival to Ohio.

Arrival Information

If you want to be picked up at the airport and/or you need temporary housing accommodations, contact us via the online arrival form. You must contact us at least TWO BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR ARRIVAL.

Airport Arrival:

If you have sent the arrival form, we will make every effort to have someone meet you at the airport. However, if no one can meet you, you have two transportation options. You can arrive at the university by:

• Rapid Transit Authority (RTA train):
  Located in the airport, the Rapid Transit will take you to Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland, the train cost is $2.50. You can then take a free E-line Green bus which travels in a loop to CSU. You may also take a taxi cab from Terminal Tower to CSU that will cost $6.00 or $7.00 dollars.
• Taxi:
  If you take a taxi from the airport to CSU, it will cost between $25.00 and $30. If you arrive late at night, we suggest that you stay the night in a hotel near the airport or near the campus.

Housing Information

Temporary Housing
Temporary housing may be arranged through our office with a host family or a current student depending on availability of space. Please make clear on your arrival form if you would like us to arrange temporary housing for you

You should not plan to stay in temporary housing any more than five days. Please bring your own linens or sleeping bag and pillow.

Heritage Hall, Euclid Commons & Fenn Tower
Students may choose to live in either a single or double room. Single rooms are offered on a space available basis only. If you sign a contract to live in Residence Hall, you are obligated to live there. Therefore, do not sign a contract to live in the Residence Halls unless you are absolutely certain that you do want to live there. Contracts are signed for each academic year. Contact Residence Life for an application or additional information and fees. They can be reached by phone at 1- 216-687-5196 or www.csuohio.edu/services/reslife.

Married Students
There is no on-campus housing for married students unless both husband and wife are students. Exceptions can be made for temporary housing. No children are permitted in the residence hall.

Off Campus Housing
The Office of Commuter Services can provide you with an “off-campus” housing list. The list provides contacts for housing in the Cleveland area but is not an endorsement for the properties listed. We can NOT assist you with specific off campus housing prior to arrival as the city is large and the choices are many. Several properties near campus are compiled on our website here.

Office Hours
The Center for International Services and Programs is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm., Monday – Friday, in Main Classroom (MC) 106. Our staff is ready to assist you. If have any questions, please contact our office by telephone at 216-687-3910. Any overseas correspondence or questions should be sent by FAX to 216-687-3965 or by email at intadvisor@csuohio.edu

Do not forget to check into our office after you arrive.