Graduate Admission

Important Timelines

Because I-20 or DS-2019 issuance and visa application takes time, it is important to submit your Graduate Admission I-20 or DS-2019 request as early as possible.

• If you have been admitted to a graduate program for fall semester, it is recommended that you submit your request as soon as you confirm admission and no later than June 15th.
• If you have been admitted to a graduate program for spring semester, it is recommended that you submit your request as soon as you confirm admission and no later than November 15th.

To Submit Your Request

1. Login to InterLink
2. Click the blue “Login” button in the “Full Services for Current Students & Scholars” box.
3. Login with your Miami UniqueID and password. If needed, recover your UniqueID and/or reset your password.
4. Once logged in, navigate to Admission and Orientation on the menu and select 'Graduate Admission I-20 or DS-2019 Request' and complete required forms.
5. Fill out the required information and submit.
   • Biographical information and dependent information (if applicable)
   • Upload passport
   • Proof of financial support, per U.S. regulations, in order to be eligible for an I-20 or DS-2019, an admitted international student must provide proof of funding showing sufficient funding for at least one year of study in the U.S. at Miami University (for F-1 students) or for your entire program at Miami University (for J-1 students). The source of funding should be renewable. ISSS provides guidance on estimated costs for one year of study in our Estimated Expenses for Study. Please note that estimated costs include tuition, fees, living expenses, and other required fees such as health insurance.
   • In the form, you must indicate your primary source of funding as well as evidence of how you will fund your studies. This may include:
     • Personal Funds: Please provide a bank statement or certificate of deposit.
     • Family Funds: Please provide a bank statement or certificate of deposit.
     • Graduate Assistantship: Please provide the official assistantship contract. This is issued by Miami University’s Human Resources (HR) office on Graduate School letterhead after your academic department submits your assistantship nomination. Note: Depending on your tuition waiver percentage and stipend amount, you may still need to provide additional proof of funding.
     • Grant in Aid or Fee Waiver: Please provide the official offer issued by the Graduate School on letterhead. IMPORTANT: While Grant in Aid and Fee Waivers provide some financial assistance, it will not meet all costs. You will need to provide additional proof of funding.
     • Government Sponsorship: Please provide the official offer on government letterhead. It should be recently issued and detail any conditions of sponsorship.
   • Previous immigration history in the U.S. If you are eligible for a SEVIS transfer, follow the SEVIS transfer instructions.
   • Your contact information

Once your request is approved by ISSS, your I-20 or DS-2019 and orientation information will be emailed to your Miami email account. After you receive your document, please follow instructions for payment of the required SEVIS fee and application for your visa.

Important Timelines

If you are currently an enrolled student at Miami who will start a graduate or combined program, you still need to request an I-20 for your new degree.

ISSS must receive and approve your request by the admission term and start of your graduate or combined degree and before:

• The end of your grace period if you successfully completed your original degree program before or by your visa document expiration date;

OR

• The expiration of your current visa document if you will not complete your original degree program in time.

As a result, ISSS strongly recommends that you consult with an advisor and submit your request as soon as you gain admission to your new graduate degree program or combined graduate degree program.

To Submit Your Request

1. Login to InterLink
2. Click the blue “Login” button in the “Full Services for Current Students & Scholars” box.
3. Login with your Miami UniqueID and password. If needed, recover your UniqueID and/or reset your password.
4. Once logged in, navigate to Admission and Orientation on the menu and select 'Change of Degree Level or Combined Degree I-20 Request' and complete required form.
5. Fill out the required information and submit.
   • Proof of financial support, per U.S. regulations, in order to be eligible for an I-20, an admitted international student must provide proof of funding showing sufficient funding for at least one year of study in the U.S. at Miami University (for F-1 students). The source of funding should be renewable. ISSS provides guidance on estimated costs for one year of study in our Estimated Expenses for Study. Please note that estimated costs include tuition, fees, living expenses, and other required fees such as health insurance.
   • In the form, you must indicate your primary source of funding as well as evidence of how you will fund your studies. This may include:
     • Personal Funds: Please provide a bank statement or certificate of deposit.
     • Family Funds: Please provide a bank statement or certificate of deposit.
     • Graduate Assistantship: Please provide the official assistantship contract. This is issued by Miami University’s Human Resources (HR) office on Graduate School letterhead after your academic department submits your assistantship nomination. Note: Depending on your tuition waiver percentage and stipend amount, you may still need to provide additional proof of funding.
     • Grant in Aid or Fee Waiver: Please provide the official offer issued by the Graduate School on letterhead. IMPORTANT: While Grant in Aid and Fee Waivers provide some financial assistance, it will not meet all costs. You will need to provide additional proof of funding.
     • Government Sponsorship: Please provide the official offer on government letterhead. It should be recently issued and detail any conditions of sponsorship.
   • Your contact information

Once your request is approved by ISSS, your I-20 will be emailed to your Miami email account. 

In the U.S, various taxes are "withheld" from your income payments and paid directly on your behalf. These might include federal income taxes, state income taxes, local income taxes, and Medicare. These taxes could add up to 15-25% of your gross pay. It is important to consider this as you prepare your personal budget for the year. You should expect to receive about 75-85% of your gross (total) pay when you receive your bi-weekly payments from Miami.

Additionally, since Graduate Assistantship (GA) contracts for fall semester begin in mid- or late-August, your first payment may not be for a full two week's wages, depending on when the pay period ends. GAs should anticipate a payment proportionate with the percentage of the pay period worked.

Here is a simplified example of these two factors. Please note that the amounts listed in this example are for demonstration purposes only:

1. Example GA Contract Stipend = $9,000 for a 9-month contract starting August 15
2. $9,000 divided by 9 months = $1,000 per month
3. Assuming a 4-week month = $500 gross payment per bi-weekly pay period
4. If your contract begins in late August and you work only one week in August = $250 gross pay in August
5. Taxes will be withheld at approximately 15%, therefore the "net payment" (what is actually paid) will be:
   • August: $250 - $37.50 (15%) = $212.50
   • September - April: $500 - $75 (15%) = $425 per pay period
   • Your final payment will also be calculated by the percentage of the pay period worked for GA contracts that end in May

Students from countries that have a Tax Treaty with the U.S. may be exempt from paying some taxes, depending on the terms of the treaty.

Students who do not have a Social Security number (SSN) will need to apply for one approximately one month after arriving in the U.S. Once issued a Social Security number, they will also need to complete annual paperwork with the Human Resources office.

All students with Graduate Assistantships will be asked to complete forms in the Payroll Services office during orientation. The information that you provide on those forms will enable Miami to determine whether you are eligible for tax treaty benefits and at what rate you should be taxed.

We recognize that taxes are not a "fun" topic, but we want to make sure you are aware of the U.S. system of taxation and of your responsibilities. We will review this information during orientation as well, but we hope that you are able to use this information to identify a realistic monthly budget for your housing, food, health insurance, and other fees and living costs as you plan your move to the U.S.