International Students
International Student Affairs Office (ISAO)
The ISAO guides international students on how to obtain the Form I-20 from Cincinnati State and helps current international students to maintain their F-1 and M-1 visa statuses with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Notice: USCIS COVID Guidance Flexibility Termination (pdf) – SEVP FAQ Regarding Covid-19 (pdf)
New International Students
If you are an international student interested in attending Cincinnati State, you must apply to the College and be accepted into a program before obtaining an I-20. Please visit the Cincinnati State Admissions website for information on the Admissions process for international students.
Once admitted to the college, the F-1/M-1 international student must submit the International Student Enrollment Form (ISEF) to obtain the Form I-20. The Form I-20 will be issued only if the student meets all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements. Receipt of the I-20 does not guarantee that a F-1 or M-1 visa will be issued at the embassy nor does is guarantee that the student will be allowed to enter the USA. Find out more about the Form I-20 by visiting the Study in the States website, an official website of the DHS.
Print and complete these forms before submitting your ISEF:
- Letter of Admission (Required): Locate your proof of admission and upload it with the other documents on the ISEF
- Affidavit of Sponsorship (Required)
- Affidavit for Free Room and Board
- International Student Budget (Required): Gather evidence of financial support of assured finances to cover your entire program and school expenses.
- Transfer-in form (Required only for students within the USA who are attending other SEVIS Schools)
- Dependents eform (Required only if you need an I-20 to obtain an F-2 visa for your dependents)
Deadlines for ISEF Submission
2024 Fall Semester
New Students: ISEF and all documents are due by May 2, 2024.
Students transferring from another US institution: ISEF and all documents are due by July 5, 2024.
2025 Spring Semester
New Students: ISEF and all documents are due by October 21, 2024.
Students transferring from another US institution: ISEF and all documents are due by December 16, 2024
Please note: Cincinnati State does not issue I-20s for summer semesters because the majority of summer classes are primarily offered online. Therefore, we cannot assure registration compliance in helping international students maintain their required full-time status of 12 credit hours of which 9 of the 12 credit hours must be in person; 3 credit hours may have an online component.
Current International Students
Important documents and information for current F-1 and M-1 students
How to Maintain your Status with USCIS
While students can receive guidance to help maintain their F1 and M1 status from the ISAO, the Department of Homeland Security clearly states that the maintenance and monitoring of one’s status is the sole responsibility of the F-1/M-1 student. For more information on how to maintain your status and learn about the importance of enrolling in a Full Course of Study, please visit the official website of DHS, Study in the States.
Keeping your Form I-20 up-to-Date
Do not let the I-20 expire. If you have yet to meet the requirement of your program for graduation, and your I-20 end date is less than 6 months away, you need to extend the I-20. To request more time to complete your studies, you will need to complete the I-20 Extension Form a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the end date on the I-20.
Working in the U.S.A.
For information about working on campus and off campus while studying in the States, please become familiar with terms such as “Curricular Practical Training” (CPT) and “Optional Practical Training” (OPT). Visit Working in the USA to learn more
Applying for Reinstatement
In the event that your SEVIS record is Terminated, you will need to apply for Reinstatement. Whether you are a current student at Cincinnati State, or you have a Terminated status at another institution and want to apply for Cincinnati State, the process for applying for Reinstatement with the College is the same.
Learn more about the Reinstatement process by visiting the Study in the States website, an official website of the USA’s Department of Homeland Security.
Gather the following documents to submit the ISEF for Reinstatement
- Letter of Admission (Required): Locate your proof of admission and upload it with the other documents on the ISEF
- Affidavit of Sponsorship (Required)
- Affidavit for Free Room and Board
- Student Budget (Required); In addition to completing this documents, you will need to gather evidence of financial support. See the “Student Budget” for more information on what is needed.
- Transfer-in form (Required only for students that want to transfer their SEVIS record to Cincinnati State)
Contact Us
Clifton Campus: 196 Main Building
Phone: 513-569-4769
Email: international@cincinnatistate.edu
Summer Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:30pm
Friday: 9am-1pm