International Orientation: Admitted Student Checklist

You can immediately start learning more about NAU and your new home in Flagstaff by completing the pre-arrival International Lumberjack Orientation.  This mandatory pre-arrival orientation includes helpful information relevant for international students including:

• Introduction to NAU
• Student Visas
• Maintaining Your Student Visa Status
• NAU Campus Life
• Living in Flagstaff
• Pre-Arrival Checklist

You can complete the online orientation at your own pace, but 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, 2021 to be entered into our prize raffle.

Activating your LOUIE account is your first electronic step on the NAU campus.  You will use your LOUIE account for email, to apply for housing, to access your student financial account, and much more!  Your unique NAU user ID is included in your letter of admission.  You will use this information to create a new password and activate your LOUIE account.  We also have a video tutorial to help you with this process.

LOUIE Password Reset

New international students

New international students are required to apply for a non-immigrant F1 (degree-seeking) or J1 (exchange) visa to enter the U.S. for academic study.  Additional information and assistance with SEVIS and the visa interview process for new international students is available here.

Transfer international students

International students currently attending a secondary or postsecondary institution in the U.S. will be able to transfer their I-20 from their current institution to NAU. Students must complete the Transfer-In Form with their current international advisor or DSO.  More information about transfer credit is available through JacksPath.

SEVIS I-901

After you receive your immigration documents from NAU (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019), you can start the visa application process by paying the SEVIS I-901 fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  It is important that you start the visa process as soon as possible.  Therefore, we recommend paying the SEVIS fee shortly after you receive your immigration documents.  A tutorial for paying this fee is available here.

Mock Interview with NAU

Want to practice prior to your interview at the U.S. Embassy?  NAU offers mock interviews for admitted students seeking a F-1 visa.  J-1 exchange students should not require a mock visa interview.

1. Schedule a time on our interview calendar with our staff.  You’ll receive the Zoom meeting link via email.
2. Prepare your materials in advance and we’ll do a mock visa interview with you.  You will also have the chance to ask questions about the visa process so that you are as prepared as possible.

Visa Interview at U.S. Embassy

After paying the SEVIS fee, you should complete the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) and schedule an interview.  You should schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you reside.  Processing your visa might take some time, so make sure that you schedule your visa interview well in advance of your travel date to NAU.  More information about how to prepare for your visa interview can be found here.

Nearly all undergraduate international students live on campus in one of the many NAU residence halls.  More information about the housing application and roommate matching process for international students can be found here.

Given the unique situation created by COVID-19, we encourage all admitted students to successfully schedule a student visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country prior to submitting their NAU housing application.  Questions about the housing application process can be directed to university.housing@nau.edu.

Housing Application Steps

1. Submit the NAU Housing Application.
2. Pay the $100 non-refundable housing application fee on your LOUIE account.
3. Electronically sign that you have read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions of the housing contract.
4. Pay the $175 housing rent confirmation payment.  This payment applies toward your 1st 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.

Meal Plans – As part of the NAU Housing Application, you will have the opportunity to select a meal plan for campus dining.  All 1st 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.  There are a number of resources available for students to help you with the apartment search process.

LOUIE’s List

Off-Campus Housing Guide

NAU Graduate College

International students should begin the class registration process before arriving at NAU as classes can fill quickly!  Please follow the steps below for your particular program to get enrolled in NAU classes.

Programs in Intensive English Students

1. Your may submit updated proof of English proficiency prior to your arrival on campus.  Documentation should be submitted to StudyNAU@nau.edu prior to August 1.
2. Students who submit the proof of English proficiency after the August 1 deadline may be required to take the PIE placement test during orientation and course selections may be limited.

Undergraduate 1st Year Students

1. Confirm your intent to attend NAU by completing the complete admission enrollment form.
2. Submit the academic advising priority enrollment form.
3. Submitting these forms will matriculate your application and make you eligible for enrollment in NAU classes.
4. You will then meet with an academic advisor virtually to discuss your academic degree requirements and build your NAU class schedule.

Undergraduate Transfer Students

1. Submit your university transcripts.  Official transcripts from foreign institutions of higher education should be mailed to studynau@nau.edu.
2. Confirm your intent to attend NAU by completing the complete admission enrollment form.
3. Submit the academic advising priority enrollment form.
4. Submitting these forms will matriculate your application and make you eligible for enrollment in NAU classes.
5. You will then meet with an academic advisor virtually to discuss your academic degree requirements and build your NAU class schedule.

Exchange Students

1. Follow the steps on the International Exchange Student Enrollment Guide that you received via email.
2. Review NAU course options for the semester of your exchange and identify your preferences.
3. Once you have identified your course preferences, email the NAU Inbound Exchange Coordinator at exchangestudent@nau.edu.
4. The NAU Inbound Exchange Coordinator will enroll you in NAU classes based upon your preferences and class availability.

Graduate Students

1. Submit your MMR Immunization records to remove the MMR hold which will prevent you from enrolling in classes.
2. You should consult with the graduate advisor for your academic department to discuss your degree requirements and build your NAU class schedule.
3. Graduate students will then enroll themselves in classes through LOUIE.

iNAU is the 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 submit prior to departure from your home country.  You will use your LOUIE account to login and access the iNAU system.

Note – I-20 and DS-2019 documents are sent out on a rolling basis.  If you have been fully admitted but haven’t received your documents yet, you should expect to receive it in the coming weeks.  If needed, you can also contact us at isss@nau.edu for an update on the status of your immigration documents.

iNAU Immigration Document Upload

• Log in to iNAU
• Locate the “Services” menu on the left side
• Click on “Pre-Arrival & Orientation” and then “Immigration Doc Check-In” from the Tasks.
• Submit copies of the following documents:
  • Passport
  • I-20 (F1 Visa Students)
  • DS-2019 (J1 Visa Students)
  • U.S.A. student visa
  • I-94 (Available for download here after you enter the United States.)

The JacksCard is your official NAU student ID.  It will be used for many purposes including campus dining, at the library, and to ride 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 card will be available for pick up at international student orientation.  More information about all the JacksCard is used for is available in this video.

Photo Guidelines

Upload Instructions

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 this 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 their LOUIE account until after they have cleared the MMR hold.

MMR Frequently Asked Questions

Transcripts

Please forward any updated transcripts and/or exam results to studynau@nau.edu. This information is needed for your permanent student record. Transfer students must submit a copy of course descriptions and course syllabi. It is strongly recommended that this material be provided prior to arrival on campus. This information needs to be in English and will be needed by your academic adviser before your advising session at orientation.

Proof of English Proficiency

PIE students may submit updated proof of English proficiency prior to their arrival on campus.  Documentation should be submitted to StudyNAU@nau.edu prior to the deadlines listed below.  Students who submit the proof after the deadlines may be required to take the PIE placement test during orientation and course selections may be limited.

• Spring semester PIE applicants – Submit proof of English proficiency by December 15
• Fall semester PIE applicants – Submit proof of English proficiency by August 1

Date of Arrival

All new international students should make travel plans that will allow for an arrival at NAU so that they can attend international student orientation August 16-20.

Flagstaff Airport Shuttle

The Center for International Education is providing a free shuttle from the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.  More information about exact dates will be available at a later time.  After you have made your travel arrangements, you can sign up for shuttle by emailing us at iorientation@nau.edu with your name, flight details, and campus dormitory drop-off location.  The shuttle is not available from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.

Schedule Your Move-In Appointment for NAU Dormitories

More information about move-in dates for NAU dormitories will be available at a later date.  If you arrive in Flagstaff prior to dormitories being available for new student move-in, you will be required to locate off campus housing for a temporary period.

You must schedule your move-in appointment with NAU University Housing after receiving your housing placement.  This will be available in the Housing Portal in mid-July.  Questions about your NAU housing application or room assignment can be sent to university.housing@nau.edu.

You do need your JacksCard for move-in as you can use your passport for identification.

Schedule Your Mandatory ISSS Check-In

All new international students must complete an in person check-in with International Student & Scholar Services after arrival in Flagstaff.  You can schedule your check-in appointment here.