The University of Houston-Victoria is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enroll international students who enter the United States with an F-1 and J-1 student visa. The following information pertains to admission for the F-1 and J-1 visa holder. The International Programs (IP) is required by law to enter student information and update the student information each semester/term in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) regarding student enrollment and related personal information. The International Programs Office will issue an I-20/DS2019 to students who are fully approved to a program of study at UHV after the following steps for admission to the university are completed by the student.
Article I. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS
(a) Deadlines
(i) International Students (out of the U.S.)
International students must submit applications for admission and all supporting admission documentation, regardless of Student degree objective, by the following dates to ensure
time for processing:
Fall - June 15
Spring - November 15
Summer - March 1
(ii) U.S. International Students (Non-Immigrant visa holder students in the U.S.)
Fall – August 1
Spring - December 15
Summer - April 1
(iii) Summer Enrollment
Summer enrollment is not warranted to new entering F-1 and J-1 students due to face-2-face/ITV course requirement. U.S. transfer student summer enrollment is reviewed on a case-by-
case basis once the summer academic course schedule is published at UHV.
(iv) Program Specific Deadlines
Certain Undergraduate and Graduate programs will have different priority deadlines. Please refer to each UHV Academic Program for specific deadlines date.
(v) Late Applications
Late applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis depending on U.S. Embassy visa wait times and course availability for face-2-face/ ITV courses. Late applications will not
be guaranteed admissions.
Article II. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
(a) A completed international application for admission. See the international student information on the International Admissions web page.
(b) An official transcript from each higher secondary education school, college or university attended. All transcripts submitted to UHV become the property of the university and are not
returned to students. If only one set of documents is issued by the student’s country of origin, students should send attested/certified copies of the documents, with translations if
needed, in the appropriate manner indicated below. DO NOT send the original document issued to the student by the university or government agency. UHV is not responsible for damage
to original documents submitted by applicants. University may require marksheets or other documentation necessary during the review of the application and student must submit the
requested marksheets if applicable.
Student transferring credits, courses, degree, diplomas from an institution in the United States must submit official transcripts no later than August 1st for fall semester, January 5th for Spring semester.
(i) University/College level courses taken outside of the United States must be submitted through an approved credit evaluation agency by NACES.
Comprehensive Course-By-Course evaluation completed by a different organization not listed at www.naces.org If a student has previously obtained a comprehensive evaluation from an
outside agency that is an agency not listed in NACES, UHV may accept an official copy of the evaluation and a copy of the original documents for admission purposes when the evaluation
document indicates verification of attendance and degrees. The International Programs will review a copy of the evaluation and determine whether the student should request the agency
to send the evaluation copy, as well as a copy of the documents evaluated, directly to the International Programs.
(ii) If a student is unable to provide the course-by-course evaluation report by an approved organization listed at www.naces.org
If the student is unable to submit the course-by-course evaluation on time, International Programs may review the unofficial transcripts for warrant admissions until the NACES approved
evaluation report is submitted to the university. The absolute last day to submit the official NACES approved course-by-course evaluation report for all courses, diplomas, degrees
completed outside of the United States is mandatory orientation date for fall semester (second Wednesday in August) or Spring semester (2nd Wednesday in January)
The university will reserve the right to not to review unofficial transcripts at any time and request the student to submit the official NACES approved evaluation report.
University will use official NACES report as transcript submission. If original documents are not issued in English, students must work with the NACES organization to submit English
Translation. All NACES transcripts must be sent directly from NACES institution to the International Programs.
Please review the section under “During Emergency Situations” under section (d)
(iii) Issuance of official transcripts
Official transcripts should be issued directly to UHV by the course/ degree awarding institution registrar, principal or responsible head of each institution attended. When this is not
possible, documents certified by an embassy or consular official, EducationUSA center, Fulbright, or government agency in charge of educational verification as true copies may be
accepted. Notarized documents by government agencies are not accepted as official.
(iv) Uncertified or unattested copies/ transcripts
Uncertified or unattested copies are not acceptable for unconditional admission to the university. The university will make a reasonable determination of those courses completed outside
the United States. However, international students may be required to have a catalog match evaluation performed by an outside agency to determine course equivalencies. This may take
longer to complete, and it is imperative that students submit international documents as early as possible to ensure adequate time for application approval.
Refer to the Article III for information pertaining to the International Programs fraudulent Documents Policy.
(c) International Credential Evaluations
University and College curriculum varies by country, not only in language but also in practice. All courses, certificates, and degrees completed at an institution outside of the U.S. is subject
to a credit evaluation.
request a course-by-course evaluation report electronically sent directly to the International Programs. Students who provide a course-by-course evaluation by any organization approved
by NACES will not need to submit duplicate transcripts to UHV. For more information pertaining to credential evaluation, please visit the International Transcripts Page. If the credential
evaluation report indicates the courses completed outside of the U.S. to be U.S. equivalent, all courses or some courses may transfer to UHV.
(i) Transfer of Credits/ Courses completed at an institution outside of the U.S.
If a student is planning to transfer as an undergraduate or graduate student to UHV with courses completed at an institution outside of the United States, International Programs or
Academic Advisors will not be able to accurate map the degree plan with transfer credits until the NACES approved courses-by-course evaluation report is submitted. Completion
of the credential evaluation report by NACES approved organization may not guarantee course/ degree transfer to UHV. The NACES approved course-by-course evaluation
indicates the U.S. Equivalency to the courses, degree, diploma according to the U.S. standards. It is up to each academic college to make the decision based on the course-by-
course evaluation report.
(ii) Students who wish to transfer credits/ courses to their undergraduate/ bachelors or masters/ graduate degree will need to submit the official evaluation prior for admissions.
If the official evaluation is delayed or not able to provide at the time of admissions, student will be enrolled as a undergraduate freshman student if post-secondary transcripts
were provided to the university.
(iii) U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents or other non-immigrant or immigrant visa status students with courses, diplomas, degrees completed at an institution outside of the United States will
be reviewed by the International Programs.
(d) During Emergency Situations
During country emergencies, other situation(s) such as government shutdowns, university closings, natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding or pandemic or epidemic International
Programs will temporarily grant admissions by reviewing unofficial transcripts for courses, diplomas, degrees completed at an institution outside of the United States. Once the student
is enrolled in their first class at UHV student must submit the official course-by-course evaluation report to the University no later than the 60th class day. Failing to submit the evaluation
will cancel enrollment and/or authorization will not be granted to move forward beyond the first semester at UHV. Temporary evaluation process cannot guarantee course transfer if
students are planning to transfer courses/ credits completed at an institution outside of the U.S. until the official NACES evaluation is submitted.
University reserves the right to not to review the application without the credential evaluation report and request the student to submit official credential evaluation report. If not report,
student will be admitted as a freshman student if postsecondary transcripts were submitted.
(e) Test Score Requirements
(i) Undergraduate Students
International Students on F-1 and J-1 visa students are not required to submit SAT and ACT scores. International F-1 and J-1 students are required to meet the TSI upon arrival to
the University.
(ii) Graduate Students
Graduate Applicants must submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores, letters, and essays
that are required by their desired degree program. See appropriate college section of this catalog for more information. The GRE aptitude (verbal and quantitative sections only) is
required for most majors. GMAT is required for all MBA applicants and the minimum score is 450. MAT scores may be substituted for the GRE by counselor education applicants.
The scores will be used with Student grade point average to calculate a graduate admission index.
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Graduate Test Score Waiver Policy
The above GRE and GMAT test scores can be waived if students meet the requirements set forth by each academic department. Computer Science and Computer Information Systems students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and Master of Business Administration Students GPA 2.5 or higher can request GRE test scores to be waived.
(iii) English Proficiency Test Score Waiver Policy
International students can request a English Proficiency Requirement (EPR) waiver by connecting with the International Programs at international@uhv.edu The EPR information is listed
under section (h).
(iv) Submission of Test Scores
Test scored can be submitted electronically. Please request ETS, GRE, GMAT and other testing organizations to submit the test scores electronically to UHV for faster processing time.
TOEFL test scores must be sent to the institutional code: 6917
Test scores can be sent electronically to International Programs Office at international@uhv.edu
Refer to the Article III for information pertaining to the International Programs fraudulent Documents Policy.
(f) Graduate International Student Admissions
Graduate international student admissions for F-1 and J-1 students must follow all the requirements mentioned above. Application documents will be maintained and reviewed by the
International Programs. Once the application materials are all complete, International Programs submits the application to the respective academic schools for review. Academic
schools may take 7-10 days to review each student application. Once the academic college approves admissions International Programs will complete admissions and issue acceptance
letter and the appropriate immigration document.
(g) English Proficiency Requirement
All students attending the University of Houston-Victoria must be proficient in the use of English. Students, regardless of immigration status, whose educational instruction has not
been in the English language and/or whose first or native language is not English, must demonstrate English Proficiency Requirements listed or apply for the English Proficiency
Waiver or must meet the English Proficiency Requirement Exemptions. Students are given the option to opt out of the English Proficiency Requirement by facing a brief virtual
interview with one of the staff members at the International Programs. Visit English Proficiency Requirement website to learn about how Student can fulfil the English
Proficiency Requirement.
(h) The UHV F-1- J-1 Student Agreement Form must be submitted to the International Programs along with a copy of the student’s most recent passport. This ensures the International
Programs to issue the immigration document accurately as the with applicant or sponsor’s supporting bank documents verifying funds available in English with dollar amounts in
U.S. dollars must be submitted before an I-20 may be issued to the applicant. The minimum amounts needed for study at UHV during the Academic Year is posted on the
International Student information page of the university website: F1 Student Agreement Form the costs are subject to change due to Texas legislative action and UHV policy changes.
Refer to the Article III for information pertaining to the International Programs fraudulent Documents Policy.
(i) Proof of Funding
International Programs is required by law to verify that each international student on F-1 and J-1 have sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay in the U.S. All students must submit
must be less that 6-months from the issue date. Students who are sponsored by a U.S. citizen can submit an attested letter indicating sponsorship, along with paystubs and an affidavit
from the bank statement in liu of Affidavit of Support Form I-134. If not Immigration Form I-134 is required by all U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents financially sponsoring a
F or J student. If a sponsor is sponsoring multiple students in the United States, the sponsor must enter the total cost of attendance for all students and must have sufficient funding
for all students.
Refer to the Article III for information pertaining to the International Programs fraudulent Documents Policy.
(j) Photocopies of all previous and current U.S. immigration documents should be submitted by students who are already in the United States. For students outside the U.S., submit
photocopy of passport pages with legal name of student applicant and dependents, if they will travel to the U.S. to live with applicant. For students who will transfer to UHV from
an institution in the United States, the admissions officer will facilitate the transfer through SEVIS after the student is approved for admission to UHV.
(k) International students may be given conditional admissions. Graduate and Undergraduate student application will be reviewed pending Final high school transcript, Final degree
confirmation, NACES course-by-course evaluation report, English Proficiency Requirement, Proof of Funding, Bank statements. In order for conditional admissions to convert
to fully admissions students must meet all the requirements. Upon completion and approval of all requirements student’s acceptance letter, I-20/DS2019 will be issued.
(l) Acceptance Notification
Students will be notified via email of the status of the application. Student must provide the International Programs the method of delivery of the acceptance letter and the
immigration document.
(i) Delivery Method of acceptance letter and immigration document
a) Email
All acceptance letters and immigration documents will be emailed to the student’s listed preferred email in students application portal. If student wish to receive a
“wet signature” packet, International Programs will only mail “wet signature” documents via express mail. Refer to I (c)
b) Regular or Snail Mail
If student fails to confirm the delivery method of the acceptance letter and the immigration document International Programs will hold documents for 2 business days
and mail using regular or snail mail. The regular mail is not certified, and International Programs cannot guarantee receipt on time. Normal timeline for mail delivery
through regular/ snail mail can be 2-9 weeks.
c) Express mail
The University will express mail students their acceptance letter and immigration document at the request of the student. Student must create an account and pay for
(m) All international students are required to attend the mandatory international student orientation. The date is listed on Student immigration document I-20/DS2019. Failing
to attend mandatory orientation will result in cancellation of scholarships and cancellation of Student International student record. Students must notify the International
Programs Office of any delays to prevent such cancellations.
(n) All F-1 international students are required to purchase the mandatory health insurance through the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV). J-1 students and scholars are
required to provide evidence or health insurance. Government and other organization sponsored students are able to submit their government issued insurance.
(o) All admissions related documents can be emailed director to the International Programs at international@uhv.edu please note, check with the International Programs
(p) All F-1 international students (F-1 status must be approved at the first class start date) will be granted automatic International Cultural Scholarship of $1500 during the
first semester as long as the student is enrolled in fulltime course load at UHV (fulltime is defined as 12 credits as an undergraduate student and 9 credits as a graduate
student). Upon completion of the 10-mandatory volunteer hours and maintaining of cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students
the student will continue to receive the International Cultural Scholarship for the duration of 4.5 years as an undergraduate student and 2.5 years as a graduate student.
(q) Mandatory International Student Orientation
As new entering F-1 visa holder student, the student must attend the mandatory orientation and enroll in 12 credits as an undergraduate student and 9 credits as a
graduate student at UHV. Concurrent enrollment with a partner institution will not count towards in receiving scholarships awarded by the International Programs.
(r) Immigration and naturalization documents of U.S. citizens naturalized in the United States, Permanent Residents, other non-immigrant visa holders, immigrant
visa holders, refugee, asylee and other non-U.S. citizens immigration documents and other necessary documents may be completed by the International Programs.
(s) Transcript Requests by the Student
If students wish to request copies of transcripts student must submit Academic Records Request Form located on the Admissions web page to request
Article III. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT POLICY
The submission of documents such as transcripts, diplomas, test scores, references, or applications, bank statements and funding documents, agreements that are forged, fraudulent, altered from the original, materially incomplete, obtained under false pretenses, or otherwise deceptive (collectively referred to as fraudulent documents) is prohibited by the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV).
University reserves the right to withdraw offers of admissions, place a temporary or permanent ban on applying for future admissions, prohibit registration, rescind degrees, and suspend or expel students who present fraudulent documents. Such actions may also result in forfeiture of academic credit earned while enrolled under false pretenses. Dismissal of misconduct does not abrogate a student’s financial responsibility to the University, the federal government, or private loan providers. Students remain liable for all relevant tuition and fees and the payment of their debts.
It is illegal for any person to falsely represent themselves as having received a degree. Such a violation is punishable by a monetary penalty per offense. Forgery of a document is a criminal offense that can be prosecuted under criminal law. University reserves the right to file criminal charges against any individual who submits fraudulent documents in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas and/or appropriate U.S. Federal statute.
Article IV. RESIDENCY STATUS
(a) Determining Texas Residency
Under state statutes pursuant to Title 3 Texas Education Code and the Rules and Regulations for Determining Residence Status made known by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
which interpret those statutes, an individual will be classified as a resident or nonresident. Residency rules are adopted and amended by legislative action.
Student residence status for tuition purposes will be determined by the Office of Admissions prior to Student enrollment. Students may contact the Office of Admissions
for help in determining correct residence status for tuition purposes or for steps to complete in order to change residence status.
Student must be prepared to pay tuition and other required fees by specified due dates or become subject to the penalties applied by the Coordinating Board rules. If Student have
knowledge of an error in Student residency status for tuition purposes, it is Student responsibility to notify the Office of Admissions immediately. These rules are subject to change.
For current Residency Information, view the Coordinating Board’s College for All Texans website. Enter “Residency Information” in the search box to find the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules on Determining Residency.
An individual who has lived in the state under circumstances specified in these rules will be eligible for classification as a resident. An individual who does not meet resident
criteria will be classified as a non-resident and must pay tuition and fees required of non-resident students. An individual classified as a non-resident may qualify to pay resident
tuition rates and other charges while continuing to be classified as a non-resident under certain exceptions specified in these rules.
If Student believe that Student qualify based on the State statutes, Student may request the Core Residency Questionnaire from the Admissions Office, or print the form
from the link and attach the supporting documents for proof of Student claim to Texas residency.
(b) Initial Residency Information
To ensure proper resident classification upon admission to University of Houston-Victoria, students must make sure they answer all questions related to Texas resident status that
appear on the ApplyTexas electronic application for admission. It is the student’s responsibility to provide correct information to the Office of Admissions so that resident status
may be correctly determined at the time of enrollment. UHV may request that a person provide documentation to support or clarify the answers to residency questions
previously submitted.
(c) Errors in Residency Classification
Errors in residency classification may occur. However, the university will respond to questions upon notification by students. If Student believe Student resident status to be
incorrect prior to or during Student enrollment at UHV, Student may contact the Office of Admissions to determine the proper steps to take to address Student concerns.
If UHV, in spite of information to the contrary that is provided by the student by the census date of a given semester, fails to classify an otherwise eligible student as a resident
when the are entitled to resident tuition for that semester, UHV will refund the difference in resident and nonresident tuition for each semester in which the student was
erroneously classified and paid the nonresident tuition rate. An appeal form must be submitted to the Student Billing stating the reason the student was charged in error
and requesting the refund.
If UHV erroneously permits a person to pay resident tuition and the person is not entitled or permitted to pay resident tuition under the rules stated on the THECB
website, UHV shall charge nonresident tuition to the person beginning with the semester following the date that the error is discovered.
UHV may notify the student before the first day of the following semester that he or she must pay the difference between resident and nonresident tuition for each previous
semester in which the student should not have paid resident tuition if the person: 1) failed to provide to UHV, in a timely manner after the information becomes available
or on request by UHV, any information that the person reasonably should know would be relevant to an accurate classification by the institution under this subchapter
information; or 2) the person provided false information to the institution n that the person reasonable should know could lead to an error in classification by
UHV under this rule.
(d) Reclassification Based on Additional or Changed Information
If a person is initially classified as a nonresident based on information provided, the person may request reclassification by providing UHV Admissions Office with
supporting documentation as described in the residency rules on the THECB website.
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