International Orientation: Admitted Student Checklist

Complete the enrollment form online to declare your intent to attend NAU.

Note – Exchange students and graduate students do not need to complete this step.

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

Nearly all undergraduate international students live on campus in one of the many NAU residence halls.  It is important to submit your housing application as soon as possible in order to secure a place to live on campus.  More information about the housing application and roommate matching process for international students can be found here.  Fall 2020 applicants will be notified at your NAU email account about your room assignment in late July 2020.  Questions about the housing application process can be directed to university.housing@nau.edu.

Given the unique situation created by COVID-19, we encourage all admitted students to consult our Frequently Asked Questions document for the most up-to-date information.

Important Reminders

Application Fee – All applicants are charged a $100 non-refundable housing application fee to their student account upon submission of the housing application.

Housing Rent Confirmation  

• Academic Year (2020-2021) – A housing rent confirmation payment of $175 is applies toward fall semester rent and confirms the student’s intent to live in campus housing.  Failure to make the $175 housing rent confirmation payment by the due date will result in the cancellation of the housing application.  Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions document for the most up to date information.
• Spring Only (2021) – A housing rent confirmation payment of $175 is due on November 15, 2020 for spring-only housing contracts.  This payment applies toward spring semester rent and confirms the student’s intent to live in campus housing.  Failure to make the $175 housing rent confirmation payment by the due date will result in the cancellation of the housing application.  The payment is only refundable for cancellations received by November 15, 2020 for spring only (one semester) contracts.

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.

International House

Many international students find the NAU International House a great place to live!  This dynamic community houses both international and American students who are passionate about global issues and interested in learning about diverse cultures.  If you are interested in living in the International House, you must complete both the NAU housing application and the International House application.

Off-Campus Housing for Graduate Students

Graduate 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 graduate students to help you with the apartment search process.

LOUIE’s List

Off-Campus Housing Guide

NAU Graduate College

New international students are required to apply for a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S. for academic study.  Additional information and assistance with SEVIS and the visa interview process is available from International Student & Scholar Services.

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.

Visa Interview

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.

International students should begin the class registration process before arriving at NAU as classes can fill quickly!

Programs in Intensive English Students – You will take the Language Placement Test during orientation.  Your results on the test will determine the next steps regarding class enrollment.

Undergraduate 1st Year Students – You should complete the priority enrollment form as soon as possible.  Submitting this form will provide information to an NAU academic advisor so they can enroll you into a class schedule.  You will also meet with an academic advisor at orientation to discuss your class schedule.

Undergraduate Transfer & Dual Degree Students – You should submit your university transcripts, and then complete priority enrollment.  Official transcripts from foreign institutions of higher education should be mailed to studynau@nau.edu.

Exchange Students – You should follow the steps on the International Exchange Student Enrollment Guide that you will receive via email.  Once you have identified your course preferences, email the NAU Inbound Exchange Coordinator at exchangestudent@nau.edu with your preferred classes.

Graduate Students – You should work with your academic department to enroll in classes.  Please reach out to your Graduate Advisor for your program directly regarding enrollment.  If you have any additional questions regarding enrollment, please email gradinternational@nau.edu.

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

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.

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 or their original documentation or ask their doctor or health care provider to complete this form.  Failure to submit the required documentation will result in a class registration hold on your account.

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.

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

If at all possible, please make arrangements that facilitate your arrival in Flagstaff by August 9.  International student orientation will begin at 8:00 a.m. on August 10.  However, staff from the Center for International Education will be available to help you get settled through early-arrival check-in August 6-9 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.  The first day of NAU classes is Wednesday, August 12.

Schedule Your Move-In Appointment

NAU dormitories open for new international student arrivals on Thursday, August 6th.  If you arrive prior to August 6th, you will be required to locate off campus housing for a temporary period.  Please schedule your move-in appointment in the housing portal once you have received notification of your assigned dormitory.  You do need your JacksCard for move-in as you can use your passport for identification.

Flagstaff Airport Shuttle

The Center for International Education is providing a free shuttle from the Flagstaff Pulliam airport for all arriving flights August 6-11.  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.

Shuttle Transportation from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport 

Groome Transportation provides shuttle service from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Flagstaff.  However, service is currently suspended through August 4th.  Please monitor their website for updates if you wish to book a shuttle.  Alternatively, we would recommend you rent a car and drive yourself or book a flight from Phoenix to Flagstaff.