International student checklist

LOUIE account

Activating your LOUIE account is your first electronic step on the NAU campus. You will use your LOUIE login for NAU email, enrolling in classes, applying for on-campus housing, accessing your student financial account, and much more. Your unique NAU User ID and a link to set the password for your account is received from NAU Information Technology Services shortly after your admission. After setting the initial password, you can later change your password. If you have technical difficulty or get locked out of your LOUIE account, please reach out to the Information Technology Services for assistance with regaining access and setting a new password.

Two-step verification

Two-step verification is a required layer of security that helps protect your NAU account from unauthorized access. When you log in to any of NAU’s supported systems (NAU Gmail, LOUIE, BBLearn, etc.) with your NAU User ID and password, you will need to submit secondary confirmation. You can set up your mobile device with push notifications for this purpose.

How to enroll in two-step verification

Two-step knowledge base

International Lumberjack Orientation

Start learning more about NAU and your new home in Flagstaff by completing the pre-arrival International Lumberjack Orientation. You will login to the modules using your NAU user id and password that you setup in Step #1 above.

• Online Orientation for F1 Visa Students (Undergraduate & Graduate)
• Online Orientation for J1 Visa Students (Exchange)

This mandatory virtual orientation includes helpful information about relevant topics for international students:

• an introduction to NAU
• student visas
• maintaining your student visa status
• NAU Campus Living
• living in Flagstaff
• pre-arrival checklist

All new international students are required to complete the modules prior to their arrival at NAU. Submit your certificate of completion to iorientation@nau.edu by July 15 to be entered into our prize raffle for a free t-shirt.

Receiving an I-20 or DS-2019

After receiving admission to NAU, you will submit proof of finances for the estimated cost of attendance, proof of English proficiency, and transcripts to the Center for International Education in order to receive the immigration document that you need to schedule your visa.

Undergraduate and graduate students will receive a I-20 which is used to schedule a F1 visa appointment.  Once ready, your I-20 will be available for download through iNAU.

Exchange and dual-degree program students will receive a DS-2019 which is used to schedule a J1 visa appointment.  Once ready, your DS-2019 will be shipped to your home university or partner organization.

Schedule a visa appointment

New international students are required to apply for a non-immigrant F1 (degree-seeking) or J1 (exchange) visa to enter the United States for academic study. It is important that you start the visa process as soon as possible. Therefore, we recommend starting the visa application process as soon as you have received the I-20 or DS-2019 immigration documents from NAU.

Form DS-160

All international students (F1 and J1 visas) must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) in order to schedule an appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. .

SEVIS I-901 Fee

After you have scheduled a visa appointment, you should pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to the US Department of Homeland Security. Explore a tutorial for paying this fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid prior to attending your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate and you should take the payment receipt with you to your appointment.

Visa interview at the US Embassy

Prepare for your visa interview by gathering all of the required documents, review your expected cost of attendance, and being informed of your degree program curriculum.

SEVIS transfer to NAU 

International students currently attending a secondary or post-secondary institution in the United States are able to transfer their I-20 from their current institution to NAU. Students must complete the SEVIS Transfer-In Form with their current international advisor or DSO. More information about transfer credit is available through JacksPath.

NAU Campus Living (On-Campus Housing)

Living on-campus in a NAU Campus Living Community has many benefits including a convenient and safe location, furnished units, roommate matching services, and helpful staff in your building. Many international students apply to live at the International House, a dynamic community with students from around the world.

The rent costs for NAU Campus Living communities is variable and dependent on room type (shared/private) and amenities. Rates include all utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash), high-speed wired and wireless internet, and free laundry.

On-campus housing is limited and in high demand. Students interested in living on-campus should apply as soon as possible, including before student visa approval to secure a placement.

How to secure a place to live on campus

1. Submit the 2025-2026 academic year NAU Housing Application. Additional information about how to apply for on-campus housing is available on the NAU Campus Living website.
2. Pay the $100 non-refundable housing application fee on your LOUIE account.
3. Electronically sign that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms and conditions of the housing contract.
4. Pay the $175 housing rent confirmation payment. This payment applies toward your first month’s rent and confirms your intent to live in campus housing.
5. You will be notified of your room assignment prior to your arrival at NAU.
6. New international students can move in to their NAU Campus Living Community on Monday, August 18.

Questions about your NAU housing application or room assignment can be sent to campus.living@nau.edu. 

Meal plans: as part of the NAU Housing Application, you will have the opportunity to select a meal plan for campus dining. All first-year undergraduate students are required to enroll in a meal plan. Meal plans are optional for all exchange, transfer, dual-degree, and graduate students.

Off-campus housing options

Students may apply for on-campus housing as outlined above or may prefer to live off-campus. LOUIE’s List is a resource available to help you with available off-campus housing listings. Please be wary of online scams on Facebook and Craigslist. Do not wire money to someone you have never met outside of email.

International students should begin the class registration process after visa approval and prior to arrival at NAU. Please follow the steps below for your particular program to get enrolled in classes.

International Enrollment Fee

The international enrollment fee is required to be paid by new international students on a F1 visa pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Northern Arizona University. The fee must be paid to be eligible to enroll in classes and attend Northern Arizona University.  The international enrollment fee is a one-time fee of $325. The international enrollment fee is not refundable.

J1 visa students do not pay the international enrollment fee.

Undergraduate first-year and transfer students

1. Email us at iorientation@nau once you have been approved for the F1 visa.
2. Pay the non-refundable International Enrollment Fee of $325.
3. Paying the International Enrollment Fee will matriculate your admission and make you eligible for class enrollment at NAU.
4. Complete Priority Enrollment and the Advising Module.
5. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor making sure to take into account any time differences between your location and Flagstaff, Arizona local time (GMT-7).
6. You will then meet with an academic advisor on Zoom to discuss your academic degree requirements and build your NAU class schedule.
7. Questions about academic advising can be directed to universityadvising@nau.edu.

Graduate students

1. Email us at iorientation@nau once you have been approved for the F1 visa.
2. Pay the non-refundable International Enrollment Fee of $325.
3. Submit a completed MMR Immunization Verification Form to NAU Campus Health to remove your MMR hold.
4. Consult with the graduate advisor for your academic department to discuss your degree requirements and appropriate classes for your first semester at NAU.
5.  For some graduate degree programs, faculty and staff from your academic department will assist you with class enrollment in your first semester at NAU.  For other graduate degree programs, you will self-enroll in at least 9 credit hours via LOUIE.

Exchange students

1. You should begin the class enrollment process as soon as you are admitted to NAU.  You do not need to wait for J1 visa approval.
2. Follow the steps on the International Exchange Student Enrollment Guide that you received via email.
3. Review NAU course options for the semester of your exchange and identify your preferences.
4. Once you have identified your course preferences, email the NAU Inbound Exchange Coordinator at exchangestudent@nau.edu.
5. The NAU Inbound Exchange Coordinator will enroll you in NAU classes based upon your preferences and class availability.

MMR Immunization Requirement

To safeguard the health of everyone at NAU, all new students are required to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students can submit an official immunization record in English to chs.records@nau.edu to satisfy this requirement. Students may submit copies of their original documentation or ask their doctor or health care provider to complete the MMR Immunization Verification Form.

If you have never had the required MMR vaccinations, you can arrange to have the immunization abroad and submit the documentation before your arrival at NAU. If you are unable to obtain the immunization in your home country, the Center for International Education will help you register for an MMR Clinic during orientation.

Failure to submit the required MMR documentation will result in a hold on your account that will prevent you from enrolling in classes. Additionally, students receiving the International Excellence Award will not see those scholarship funds applied to their LOUIE account until after they have cleared the MMR hold.

MMR frequently asked questions

Move In to NAU Campus Living Communities

NAU Campus Living communities open for new international student move-in on Monday, August 18. Students who arrive in Flagstaff prior to this date will need to find a hotel or other accommodation at their own expense until NAU Campus Living communities open for move-in.

NAU Campus Living check-in at the International Pavilion is available from 9:00 a.m. – midnight on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19.

Mandatory date of arrival

The earliest date of entry to the USA on your F1 or J1 student visa is July 26, 2025.  All new international students should make travel plans that will allow for arrival at NAU no later than Tuesday, August 19.  Attendance at international student orientation is mandatory for all new international students according to the terms of your F1 or J1 student visa.

Flagstaff airport shuttle

The Center for International Education is providing a free shuttle from the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport to the NAU campus for all flights on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19.  After you have made your travel arrangements, you can reserve your seat on the shuttle by emailing us your flight information at iorientation@nau.edu. The shuttle provides a drop-off to NAU campus living communities as well as private apartment communities in the city of Flagstaff. The airport shuttle service is not available from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.

Groome Transportation shuttle

Most students who travel from Phoenix by car utilize the Groome Transportation shuttle. The shuttle offers a standard drop-off on the NAU campus at the Health & Learning Center which is a 15 minute walk from the Center for International Education or International Pavilion. Students are discouraged from booking any late-night shuttles with drop-off at NAU after 11:00 p.m. Rather, it is recommended to stay in a Phoenix hotel, and take a morning shuttle the following day.

JacksCard

The JacksCard is your official NAU student ID. It has many uses including campus dining, at the library, and riding the campus bus. Thus, it is important to have your card available for use as soon as possible. Submit your photo according to the guidelines below and your digital JacksCard will be available via the NAUgo app prior to your arrival to campus.

Photo guidelines

Upload instructions

Adding a Digital JacksCard to Apple Devices

Adding a Digital JacksCard to Android Devices

Download the NAUgo app to your mobile device.

iNAU document upload

After receiving your F1 or J1 student visa, you should upload a copy of your immigration documents to iNAU, an online system used by International Student and Scholar Services to manage the immigration documents of international students. There are a number of documents you should upload to iNAU prior to arrival at NAU.

iNAU immigration document upload process:

1. Log in to iNAU
2. Locate the “services” menu on the left side
3. Click on “pre-arrival and orientation” and then “immigration doc check-in” from the tasks
4. Submit copies of the following documents:
   • passport
   • I-20 or DS-2019
   • F1 or J1 student visa
   • I-94 (available for download after you enter the United States)

International student orientation

All new international students should make travel plans with arrival to the NAU campus in Flagstaff by Tuesday, August 19 to attend international student orientation at the NAU International Pavilion from August 20-22. Attendance at international student orientation is mandatory for all new students.

Orientation programming

At orientation, you’ll enjoy free NAU swag and food, meet other international students, receive support with arrival tasks like move-in and setting up a USA phone number, go on a campus tour, and also learn more about important topics such as student visa regulations, on-campus jobs, health insurance, making payment towards tuition and fees, and how to maximize your time at NAU.

As part of international student orientation, the Center for International Education will host social events and important meetings with NAU colleagues from across campus to answer your questions and help you maximize your time at NAU.

• Maintaining Your Student Visa Status
• NAU Student Health Insurance & Campus Health Resources
• Making Payment Towards Tuition & Fees
•  How to Apply for an On-Campus Job
• Student Involvement Fair (Clubs & Organizations)
• Orientation with your academic degree program faculty and staff
• International Student Welcome Dinner

Orientation check-in

Students will complete new student check-in at the International Pavilion on August 18 or 19. The check-in process takes approximately 90 minute to complete.

NAU Student Health Insurance Requirement

All international students are automatically enrolled in the NAU Student Health Insurance Plan as required by the Arizona Board of Regents and U.S. Department of State.  The health insurance coverage requirement cannot be waived unless you meet one of the waiver requirements and submit the request to International Student & Scholar Services by the deadline.

Coverage Dates and Cost

For the Fall 2025 semester, the insurance provides coverage from August 16 – December 31, 2025.  The cost associated with enrollment in the NAU Student Health Insurance Plan is billed to your LOUIE account after class enrollment.

Download Your Health Insurance Card

Students should register their account with UnitedHealthcare and then download their health insurance card at the beginning of the semester.  It is recommended to always carry a print or electronic copy of your health insurance card in case of emergency.

1. Review the tutorial video and follow the steps below to register your account
2. Visit the United HealthCare website and click “Register now”
3. Enter your biographical information and NAU student ID number
4. Enter the username and password of your choice
5. Confirm your account via text message or phone call
6. Your ID card is accessible through the UHCSR mobile app or available for download at the United HealthCare website after completing the account registration process.