For NOMINATED Non-Degree International Students
This page is for non-degree students who have been admitted to Montclair State for one or two semesters through a partnership program. This includes International Exchange Students and International Visiting Students.
Congratulations on your acceptance as a non-degree student to Montclair State University! We want you to have an easy transition to Montclair State and we hope this checklist will help as you prepare to arrive on campus.
Please read the checklist carefully and follow all the necessary steps.
The Office of Global Engagement team at Montclair State University is available to assist you through every stage of the journey from nomination to completing your semester or year here on campus.
Your Campus-Wide ID (CWID) and NetID are your keys to becoming a Montclair State student.
They were assigned to you when you were accepted to the University. You will find your CWID and NetID in your acceptance letter.
Questions about this step? Misplaced your CWID or NetID? Contact 973-655-4185 or email studyabroad@montclair.edu for assistance.
Your NetID is your Montclair State email account login ID and your ID for other web-based University systems (NEST). You can establish (claim) your NetID on the NetID Website. As part of activating your NetID, you’ll have to confirm your identity through a challenge question. As a new student, you must choose the “CWID” challenge question. Your NetID cannot be activated until your enrollment deposit has been processed.
After you activate your NetID, use your NetID and newly established password to access nest.montclair.edu, your Gmail, and other University systems.
It may take 24 hours until you’re able to successfully log in to other campus systems after setting up your NetID.
Your Montclair Email Account:
To access your Montclair email, visit gmail.com and type in your NetID@montclair.edu and your NetID password. Don’t forget to add your new Montclair email to your phone and check it regularly! As a newly admitted student, you may receive emails to your personal email, your Montclair email, or both.
Please Note: When you first log in to any of Montclair’s systems that use your NetID, you will be prompted to activate your MFA (Multi Factor Authentication). For more information on how to do this, review the MFA Quick Reference Guide. For your reference, here’s a full list of SSO-enabled applications that will require MFA to protect your privacy.
It may take 24 hours until you’re able to successfully log in to other campus systems after setting up your NetID.
Questions about this step? Contact 973-655-4185 or email studyabroad@montclair.edu for assistance.
Join us for one of our admitted student general or visa sessions. Learn more about:
- Visa process and interview tips
- Packing tips, travel, and arrival
- Location and housing options
- Campus resources
- Employment
- Tuition and payment plans
- Next steps/orientation
- And more!
To apply for a J-1 visa or to transfer your existing J-1 record, you are required to apply for a Form DS-2019.
- Complete the “DS-2019 Application/Affidavit of Financial Resources” document.
- For additional assistance with filing out this application, please see our How to Apply for the DS-2019 webpage.
- Email all documents to oge@montclair.edu
Please allow at least 10 business days (business days are Monday through Friday) to review your application. After it is reviewed, we will contact you by email (from oge@montclair.edu) with a status update, requesting additional information if needed. If approved, please follow the emailed instructions on how to download your DS-2019.
Students who are already in the U.S. on active J-1 status:
- Submit the DS-2019 Application/Affidavit of Financial Resources and the required documents noted per the procedure above.
- Email oge@montclair.edu with copies of:
- Current DS-2019
- J-1 visa stamp (or USCIS approval notice)
- Most recent I-94 record (or USCIS approval notice)
- EAD card (if applicable)
- You will need to ask your international advisor at your current school to transfer your J-1 SEVIS record to Montclair State, and provide them a copy of your Montclair State acceptance letter.
The SEVIS fee, also known as the Federal SEVIS I-901 fee, is a mandatory fee that must be paid by student and exchange visitors before applying for a J-1 visa. The fee is $220 for the J-1 visa. The fee can be paid by credit card, Western Union Quick Pay, or by mail. We do not recommend paying the fee by mail for it might take as long as four weeks to be processed. To pay the fee online, follow these instructions:
- Visit http://www.fmjfee.com
- Complete the form I-901. Be sure that you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your DS-2019
- For DS-2019 holders, the Montclair State University program number: P105419
- The SEVIS ID number is printed above your surname/primary name on your DS-2019. The SEVIS number starts with the letter N.
- Once you have paid using a credit card, print the receipt. Do not exit the receipt page until you print the receipt. You will not be able to return to the receipt page once closed.
SEVP will accept third-party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS fee for you. For students who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third-party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card. For instructions on how to complete the Western Union Quick pay/Quick Collect form, please visit: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu-instructions
Complete the online application form DS-160 (some applicants will also be required to submit a form DS-157). All forms must be completed and signed, and can be found at http://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in their parent’s passport. PLEASE NOTE: When filling out the DS-160 click the “do not know” checkbox under contact person and type Montclair State University under Organization Name.
Visit http://www.usembassy.gov to locate the embassy or consulate near you to schedule your required visa appointment. Wait times for an appointment can be lengthy so apply as soon as possible upon receiving your DS-2019.
As you prepare for your visa appointment, you may wish to contact an EducationUSA Advising Center in your home country. See http://www.educationusa.info for more information. The EducationUSA Advising Center can give you helpful information about application procedures specific to your home country. If possible, you may want to attend a pre-departure orientation program organized by the center. This orientation will likely include information not only about applying for the visa, but also about American culture.
Prepare your Documents for Your Interview
Provide the following documents to the U.S. embassy or consulate at the interview:
- Passport valid for up to 6 months past the intended end date on your DS-2019.
- DS-2019-the original document is required-electronic print-outs are not accepted
- Original admission letter from Montclair State University.
- Receipt of SEVIS fee payment.
- Documented proof of financial support.
- Test scores and academic records.
- 2×2 visa photo (for specific requirements visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/photos.html)
- Additional documents as required by the embassy or consulate (check your home country’s embassy or consulate for more information)
Canadian Students
Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter the United States; however, they must obtain a DS-2019 and pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S.
The following documents must be presented to the customs officer either at the border or airport:
- Valid passport.
- Admission letter from Montclair State University.
- Receipt of SEVIS fee payment.
- Documented proof of financial support.
- DS-2019.
*Permanent residents of Canada are required to obtain a visa before entering the United States. Follow the instructions in the section “Apply for Visa.”
The University Health Center oversees all mandatory health requirements for student enrollment. After you commit to Montclair State University and before you join us on campus for the start of your term you will need to:
- Submit your immunization records to the University Health Center. Important: you can only access this portal approximately 5 days after submission of your deposit (undergraduate students) or submission of deposit and registration for classes (graduate students).
- Your personal medical records or records from your high school or another university must be submitted.
- Scan and Upload the forms into the online MyHealth Portal. Please note that the University Health Center is no longer accepting documentation in paper form. Therefore, please do not mail completed forms to the University. Instead, scan and upload all documents online in the portal. For additional information about using the portal, see the online instructions. Questions about this step? Contact the University Health Center at +1-973-655-3459 or email askanurse@montclair.edu for assistance.
Ensure adequate health insurance coverage. All full-time Montclair State students are required to have health insurance coverage. Montclair State will automatically enroll you in the Student Health Insurance Plan provided through the University. If you have private health insurance coverage that meets the U.S. Department of State’s requirements then you can waive this enrollment by showing proof of other insurance.
Once enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, students can access their insurance card here.
Major medical benefits must be at least $100,000 for each accident or illness.
Repatriation of remains benefit must be at least $25,000.
Medical evacuation benefit must be at least $50,000.
The deductible for each accident or illness may not exceed $500.
Policy may not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program.
You can waive the enrollment and health insurance premium fee by providing the following information:
- The policy must also be in English
- All amounts must be listed in US dollars
- Policy documents must show dates of coverage
- Government subsidized insurance cannot be used for the waiver
You can find information about the Health Insurance Waiver here: HEALTH INSURANCE WAIVER-J1.
Register for the general and international exchange orientation programs. You will be emailed information about how to register for orientation within a few weeks of your acceptance.
For more information, see our orientation page.
Choose Your Arrival Date
When purchasing your plane ticket, international students should note the start date on your DS-2019. You are allowed to enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start date listed on the DS-2019.
For more information see Pre-Arrival Information.
Attend Orientation activities for international students as well as any mandatory general in-person orientation experiences.