Quick Tips

International graduate applicants may provide electronic scans of their final or latest academic records to their departments of intended study. 

These records should include all marks sheets, transcripts, certificates, and diplomas earned. Documents should be in the original language and English, or just English if issued that way. 

These records are deemed “unofficial” and used for admissions processing purposes. If admitted, students are required to provide official copies by the appropriate deadline, early in the first semester of enrollment. 

To fully complete admission, international graduate applicants/students must provide official copies of all records from all postsecondary schooling attended. 

Mark sheets, transcripts, certificates, and diplomas must be submitted directly from each institution. In most cases, these documents will need to be sent in official, sealed, issuing institution envelopes.

Records must show courses taken, grades earned and must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. 

Translations must be done by the issuing institution, a certified translator in the country of study, or by an American Translator’s Association certified translator in the US. The original record should be also included. More procedural information can be viewed on the Academic Programs website. 

MSU requires final, degree-granting academic records to be sent as proof of degree award. Because many international transcripts do not indicate degree award information, MSU requests applicants send official copies of their final degree diplomas as proof of degree award.

Applicants who have been awarded degrees should send final, official records during the application process. Applicants still completing degree programs during the application process should send the latest official academic records, with final records being sent as soon as possible after admission.

MSU does not return to students/applicants any academic records or other documentation. Applicants/students should NOT provide personal copies of their academic records.

Applicants must make every effort to request official, hardcopies of ALL postsecondary transcripts, certificates, and diplomas earned. 

Applicants should call or visit the institution in-person to determine if academic records can be prepared and placed in an official, sealed, institution envelope. Friends or relatives may also do this if the applicant is unable. The applicant may also contact Education USA in their country of study for assistance. 

Once finalized, the official, sealed (unopened) envelope can be mailed directly to Michigan State University by the institution or the person who retrieved the records. If the applicant/student attended more than one postsecondary institution, academic records must be in separate official, sealed envelopes (one envelope per institution attended).

Electronic Records

Electronic records may be acceptable if a university is closed or does not prepare hardcopy records. The records may be sent directly from a higher education institution or an appropriate credential transmission channel and used for verification. Applicants should work with their graduate departments for assistance.

This is the most common visa for students. After your application for admission is approved, MSU will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form). 

This form will be emailed from the MSU Office of Admissions and Office for International Students and Scholars to your MSU email address. If you choose to attend MSU, you must use the Certificate of Eligibility issued by Michigan State University to apply for your F-1 Visa at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy.

The Exchange Visitor visa classification is available to students supported financially by MSU, an agency, or government. 

After your application for admissions is approved, the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) will issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019 Form). 

If you choose to attend MSU, you must use the Certificate of Eligibility issued by Michigan State University to apply for your J-1 Visa at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy.

You should only depart for the United States after you receive:

• formal notice of acceptance
• the I-20/DS-2019 Form from the Office of Admissions 
• your student visa

You are only allowed to enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start date on the Certificate of Eligibility.

All international students holding F and J visas will be required to comply with U.S. Government regulations. 

The Student/Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is designed to help the U.S. Government keep track of nonimmigrant students. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security now requires that a SEVIS fee be paid for each visa applicant. 

The Certificate of Eligibility (for I-20 or DS-2019) that MSU issues to you has an unique identifying number referred to as the SEVIS number or "N" number. This SEVIS number is needed to pay the SEVIS fee. 

Please print out your receipt when you pay the SEVIS fee and keep it for your records. You must present the Certificate of Eligibility every time you enter the U.S. It is very important that you keep track of this form.

Teaching Assistants that have completed four semesters as a TA are eligible for SEVIS Fee Reimbursement. Please submit your reimbursement request through the SEVIS Fee Reimbursement Request form.