NOTE: You will receive an email from International Student and Scholar Services with information about the Form I-20. Pay attention to the directions and deadlines in the email. Registration holds have been placed on your account until enrollment requirements are met. Failure to meet these enrollment requirements may result in your admission being rescinded.Checking off to-do items is a great feeling! This interactive checklist will help you keep track of your progress as long as you're on the same browser and your cache hasn't been cleared.
TO DO IMMEDIATELY
Accept or Decline Admissions
You need to state your intention to accept or decline admission by the commitment deadline posted in your admittance letter. You must attend the semester or term to which you are admitted unless you defer for a mission or submit an official change of entry request. *If you need to change your entry semester/term, check with the International Student and Scholar Services Office before submitting the request.
Enroll in Duo Two-Step Verification
Your safety and security are extremely important to us. For your protection, you are required to set up Duo Two-Step Verification on your account within 48 hours after receiving your acceptance letter. This must be done before you engage with BYU pages including accessing your BYU email and registering for classes.
Submit an Official U.S. High School Transcript
If you self-reported any U.S. accredited high school work on your BYU application, then you need to submit an official transcript, so we can validate that you self-reported your classes and grades correctly. You must complete this task before you can register for classes.
Complete the Financial Declaration
Before you can register for classes, you must accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees, and associated costs while enrolled at BYU. Once you agree to the declaration, then the hold will be removed from your account.
Pay International Deposit
Undergraduate international students are required to pay a $4,000 USD deposit at BYU. You must pay the deposit before you can get your student visa paperwork.
Obtain a Form I-20
To obtain your Form I-20, you are required to submit certain documents to the BYU International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. Once you obtain your Form I-20, your registration hold will be removed. You will receive an email from ISSS with more detailed instructions.
Apply for a Mission Deferment
If you want to defer your enrollment while serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you must complete the online mission deferment after you receive your call. However, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for rules and regulations about deferring for a mission.
Set Up Guest Access
We recommend that you manage your own student account but we understand there are cases where it is necessary for a parent, spouse, or other third-party to access information or complete transactions on your behalf. Guest Access allows you to give another person access to your BYU account.
Check Your BYU Email
As a BYU student, you automatically have a BYU-provided email address. It is available 48 hours after receiving your acceptance letter. Your BYU email address starts with your NetID (netid@byu.edu). All BYU communication will come to you through this email address, so it is important that you check it regularly for timely reminders, updates, and other information. You can access this account by going to outlook.byu.edu and using your netid@byu.edu and BYU password to log in.
Update Your Personal Info
Now that you are admitted to BYU, check that your phone number, mailing address, and email in your personal information are up-to-date. BYU will use these to send you important information, so you'll want it to be up to date.
Complete Enrollment Requirements
Obtain a Student Visa
International students (except those from Canada and Bermuda) are required to obtain a student visa before entering the U.S. to study. Before obtaining a visa, you will need to pay the required SEVIS fee. Make sure you keep your proof of payment with your immigration papers. Note: Some exceptions to the visa policy exist for students who are Canadian citizens entering the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere.
Register for Classes
MyMAP (our registration system) can help you organize and register for classes. You will be assigned a date that you can begin registering, which is called a priority registration date. Go to the Register tab on MyMAP to see your assigned date. Tools to help you decide which classes you should take include the University Catalog, the Class Schedule, the University Core (GE) requirements, and your academic advisor. Typically, you will need to complete the following enrollment requirements: pay the $4,000 USD International Student Deposit, verify finances, and, if applicable, submit the I-20 Transfer Request Form from your current U.S. school. International students are required by U.S. immigration law to maintain full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester or 6 credit hours per term). Required Course: Student Development 120. STDEV 120 is designed to help you adjust to the environment at BYU and will cover topics such as the American education system, adaptation and acculturation to the cultures at BYU, and regulations to maintain F-1 visa status.
WATCH FOR NOTICES AND DATES
Find Housing
Finding a place to live near campus is important. For your first two semesters at BYU, all single undergraduate students must live (1) in BYU On-Campus Housing, (2) in BYU Off-Campus Contracted Housing, or (3) with qualifying family members. You are eligible but not required to live on-campus or in BYU off-campus contracted housing once you have completed two semesters at BYU. There are on-campus housing communities for students who are 19 or older, and some on-campus housing options may require students to have a meal plan. Meal plans may make it easier for you by saving time and/or money.
Scholarships
Admitted students that submitted the scholarship application are considered for BYU undergraduate scholarships. Notifications about scholarship decisions come through your BYU email address. If you have been awarded an off-campus scholarship or have a 529 plan, you should have the granting organization send the money directly to BYU. It takes 2-3 weeks to process funds mailed to BYU, so plan ahead.
Pay for School
Tuition is due seven calendar days before the first day of class. Pay your tuition on time, or a hold will placed on your account. Your classes will likely be dropped if you do not pay tuition by the Add/Drop Deadline of the semester/term. If you are interested in applying for Federal Financial Aid (loans and pell grants), you will need to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Enroll In or Waive Student Health Plan
Students enrolled 3/4 time or more (9 semester credits/4.5 term credits) are required to have health insurance coverage year-round. You are automatically enrolled in BYU’s Student Health Plan one week before classes start if private insurance has not been reported. You will have access to waive the plan about one month before classes start. This is a yearly process and the deadline to waive the BYU Student Health Plan is the semester add/drop deadline. Note: In order to waive the BYU Student Health Plan your personal insurance needs to be based in the U.S. You are required to have health coverage year-round. If you have health coverage when you go home for the summer, remember to waive the plan before you leave so you do not get charged for it while you are home.
BYU ID Card
Your BYU ID card is your official university identification and used for many things on campus. Use it to access Cougar Cash, meal plans, athletic facilities, library services, and other campus services. It is also used to get free rides with UTA. You will want to make sure to submit a photo for your BYU ID card at least one month before classes start.
TO DO ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT BYU
Attend Mandatory Check In
You are required to check in at the International Student and Scholar Services Office when you arrive on campus in order to have your SEVIS record activated. Watch for updates from ISSS.
Attend Mandatory International Student Orientation
You need to be in the country by the date of New Student Orientation (NSO) for the semester/term to which you were admitted (this will also be the entry date listed on your Form I-20). Please be aware that there is a session specifically designed for international students that you will be required to attend. Watch for updates from ISSS. You can also sign up to attend the BYU New Student Orientation event.
Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) Test
If you have lived outside of the U.S. or Canada for six months or more, Utah state law requires you to have a tuberculosis skin test. You must comply by the first day of classes, or a TB hold will be placed on your record. If you're an International student, you must also comply or your student visa status may be terminated. Contact the Student Health Center to make an appointment.
On-Campus Jobs
Working on campus has a lot of benefits! You can gain real-life experiences, qualify for tax-breaks, and work close to your classes. Before your first day of work, make an appointment to have your I-9 processed and provide the required documents.
LEARN AND BE AWARE
Learn about My Financial Center
My Financial Center is BYU’s online financial system. You will use it to pay tuition and charges, manage your financial aid and scholarships, and find important alerts about your student account.
Participate in First-Year Orientation
Your orientation to BYU will begin shortly. An assigned first-year peer mentor will contact you soon by email and text message. (Transfer students are not assigned a student mentor, but you can request one by contacting the Office of First-Year Experience.) Check out “How to BYU” online to learn about campus resources and student life. The Office of First-Year Experience also hosts New Student Orientation, sends you newsletters and information about succeeding as a new student, and reserves seats for you in high demand GE classes.
Subscribe Parent(s) and Family to Newsletter
Subscribe your parent(s), family, and others to receive a regular newsletter about how to navigate BYU, dates, deadlines, and tips.
Maintain Lawful Status
Read through the International Student and Scholar Services webpage for your visa type to learn more about maintaining your legal status. If you have further questions, contact ISSS.
Review Employment, Taxes, and Travel Policies
Learn more information about working while you are in school, required tax forms you must file, and traveling regulations and restrictions.
Review the Academic Honesty Policy and Honor Code
As a BYU student, you should seek to be honest in your dealings with others. You should complete and be evaluated on your own work. You should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. For ecclesiastical endorsement questions, and questions or reports about honor code violations, visit the Honor Code Office.
Follow Enrollment Services on Social Media
Stay up to date and informed with tips and info throughout the year by following one of our social media channels.
Learn About FERPA
It's important that you know your privacy rights. FERPA, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is "a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Brigham Young University may not disclose information contained in education records without the student’s written consent except under certain limited conditions."
Review Student Success Resources
There are many places at BYU that can help you succeed throughout your college experience. Check out our Student Success website for academic, financial, social, physical and mental health, and spiritual resources.
