J-1 Students

Benefits Request a Form DS2019 Resources

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Foreign students have the opportunity to study at American degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or participate in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives of the student’s degree program in his or her home country.

To participate, college/university students must:

  • Be financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. government, the government of their home country, an international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute or supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds;
  • Be carried out according to an agreement between the U.S. government and a foreign government, or according to a written agreement between American and foreign educational institutions, an American educational institution and a foreign government or a state or local government in the United States and a foreign government; or Student is participating in a student internship program that will fulfill the educational objectives for the student’s degree program in his or her home country; or
  • Pursue a non-degree program must be enrolled full-time in a prescribed course of study. The maximum duration of a non-degree program is 24 months inclusive of academic training.

Benefits

School Credit

University/college students may engage in degree-granting programs until completion or non-degree granting programs for no more than 24 months.

Employment

Students may engage in part-time employment under certain conditions, including good academic standing at their host institution.

Academic training

Students may participate in academic training with or without wages or other remuneration during their studies with the approval of the academic dean or adviser and the responsible officer at their sponsor organization.

Procedures to Request a Form DS2019

1

Be nominated

The student is nominated by their home institution. The home university contact should email the Coordinator of Exchange at intlexchange@louisville.edu or Kristin.samer@louisville.edu. Priority deadlines are April 15 for fall and October 15 for spring.

2

Submit additional materials

UofL’s Coordinator of Exchange will then reach out to the student to request additional materials:

  1. Biographical information sheet
  2. Official university transcripts (in English)
  3. TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score report (if English is not the primary language of instruction at the home university
  4. Passport identification page
  5. Supporting financial documents (exact amount: $8,289.50 per semester / $16,579 per year). This can be a bank statement. If you will receive financial assistance from family or others, they must complete the affidavit of support.

3

Gain admittance to UofL

Once all documents are received, the student will be admitted to UofL.


 

4

Apply for on-campus housing

Once admitted, it is highly recommended that the student apply for on-campus housing, as options are limited.


 

5

Obtain the Form DS-2019

Upon admission, the Coordinator of Exchange will generate the Form DS-2019 for the student.


 

6

After receiving the Form DS-2019

Upon receiving the Form DS-2019, the student must:

  1. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Print the receipt for the visa interview
  2. Schedule a visa interview at the consulate/embassy
  3. Visit UofL’s website to create a password for all university systems/platforms, including ULINK, Blackboard, email, and Wi-Fi access


 

7

Register for courses

The student will work with the Coordinator of Exchange to register for courses.