Admitted International Students

Admitted International Students/Pre-Arrival Information

Congratulations on your admission to Youngstown State University (YSU)! Below you will find information that will assist you as you prepare for your arrival in Youngstown to begin your academic life at YSU. Everyone at the International Programs Office (IPO) is looking forward to welcoming you to campus.

 

IMPORTANT SPRING 2026 PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:

Arrange housing now- BEFORE arriving: All incoming Spring 2026 YSU undergraduate international students are REQUIRED to live on campus.
  • Living on campus is safe, convenient, and a great way to meet new friends and get involved in university life. To secure your housing, please complete the application process as soon as possible. Timely completion ensures you receive your housing assignment without delay and helps avoid any issues with billing or move-in. Youngstown State University offers a one-time housing scholarship for first-year, incoming undergraduate international students (F-1 visa holders). Students beginning in the spring semester may receive $1,000 total (spring semester only).
Instructions to complete your housing application:
  • Visit housingapp.ysu.edu and select the Spring Only 2026 application term.
  • Pay the $35 non-refundable application fee to access the portal.
  • Complete the application and sign the housing contract.
  • Submit the $250 prepayment, which will be credited to your student account before classes begin.
  • Once your prepayment is received, you’ll be assigned a room. Prepayments are due no later than December 21, but we strongly encourage you to complete everything by our preferred deadline of December 12 to ensure a smooth process.
Housing Details:
  • Cost: $5,750 for Spring 2026 (includes housing and a full campus meal plan).
  • Room Type: Most rooms are shared (double occupancy). Single rooms are currently sold out.
  • Assignment Notification: Housing assignments will be sent in mid-December.
 
Move-In Information:

International students may begin moving in starting December 30 at no extra cost. This date aligns with the airport shuttle service provided by the Office of International Programs (IPO). If you arrive before December 30, you’ll need to arrange a hotel stay. The closest option is the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Youngstown.

 
Off-Campus Housing
 
Early Arrival Meal Plan:
  • To ensure that incoming Spring 2026 international students living in university residence halls have access to meals during orientation, Youngstown State University provides a mandatory Early Arrival Meal Plan. Student will receive $75 in Pete’s Points and $25 in Flex Dollars that will be automatically charged to their student account.
  • These early arrival meal plan funds may be used during the orientation process and throughout the Spring 2026 Semester. Upon check-in at their residence hall, students will receive a flyer with helpful information about campus dining — including available food options, hours of operation, and tips for using the meal plan alongside the International Orientation schedule. Participation in the Early Arrival Meal Plan is required for all incoming international undergraduate students and graduate students living on campus — no exemptions are granted.

 

SPRING 2026 ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION DATES:

  • Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – Arrival Day & Airport Pick up
    • If living in the YSU Residence Halls, may move in this day with NO additional fees.
    • YSU will offer airport pickup from Pittsburgh International Airport on December 30, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. and 8:30p.m. To register for YSU airport pickup, please follow this link: YSU Airport Pick-up Registration. Once you register, you will be required to follow this link to pay the $40 Airport Pickup Fee to confirm your reservation.
  • Friday, January 2 – Saturday, January 3, 2026: Mandatory In-Person International Student Orientation
    • All Students must be physically present for the entire duration of Orientation beginning on January 2. Students that are unable to attend the first day of Orientation will be required to defer their admission to a future semester.
    • Students will be provided with a detailed Orientation Schedule upon arrival.
  • Monday, January 5, 2026: First day of Spring 2026 classes/courses

OBTAINING YOUR F-1 OR J-1 VISA:

Please follow this link to the International Programs Office for detailed information about Obtaining your F-1 or J-1 Visa

 

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS:

It is mandatory that you provide either proof that you have had a recent negative Tuberculosis (TB) test or that you have a test once you arrive at Youngstown State University.  If you do not bring proof of a negative TB test, we will arrange for this testing during Orientation.

Please see the Student Health website for a memo from the doctor on immunizations.

You will be required to have the following vaccinations and must upload proof of immunizations to Youngstown State University.

If you will live on campus, you will be required to provide documentation to the University of your meningococcal and Hepatitis B vaccination status. This is a state law of Ohio.

  • T-dap: One (1) adult dose in the last 10 years
  • Hepatitis B: Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B OR lab report confirming immunity
  • MMR: Two (2) doses of MMR (second one must have occurred on or after first birthday) OR Two (2) doses of Measles, Two (2) doses Mumps, and One (1) dose of Rubella OR lab reporting confirming immunity for each.
  • Varicella: Two (2) doses of varicella OR Lab report confirming immunity
  • Polio: Four (4) doses of IPV or OPV. Only required for those students who will be younger than 18 at the start of the semester.
  • Meningococcal conjugate (ACWY): One (1) dose since age 16

 

Placement Testing, Advising, and Registration (Undergraduate Students Only)

NOTE: Placement tests must be taken PRIOR to your arrival at YSU. Once your visa has been approved, you will be eligible to take your placement exams. You cannot register for classes without completing your required placement tests. A representative from the Testing Center will email you with more information based on your individual testing requirements. Please be patient and wait until you receive an email to schedule your placement assessments.

Placement test scores allow your academic advisor to know which Math and English classes you are prepared to take. Instructions on taking these tests will only be sent to your YSU student email.

Once your placement tests are completed and your Visa has been uploaded, notification will be sent within seven (7) business days to your YSU student email indicating your academic advisor's name and contact information. You will then be eligible to meet with an academic advisor virtually, and your advisor will help you register for classes.

 

Patient Consent Form (REQUIRED ONLY FOR STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18)

Wick at YSU Flyer

BSMH Patient Agreement Form

PLEASE NOTE:

This form is ONLY to be completed by students who are under the age of 18.

You must PRINT THIS FORM before your arrival to YSU and have it completed and signed by your Personal Representative (Parent or Guardian) to submit to Wick Primary Care upon your arrival.

 

TUITION & FEES:

Tuition and fees are calculated after you are registered for classes. Upon registration, an invoice will be sent to your YSU email account. You will be responsible for paying that invoice soon after receipt. The preferred method of payment by YSU is via an international wire transfer. For international transfers, YSU has two options.  (1) Transfer Mate and (2) Flywire.  

If you wish to bring a bank draft, use the tuition estimator for an estimate of your tuition costs. NOTE: The actual cost of tuition may vary depending on how many credits you register for and lab/course fees. You must be prepared to pay the difference upon arrival to campus and course registration.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

All international students are required to purchase the YSU International Student Health Insurance Plan as a condition of enrollment at the university and will not be permitted to waive the coverage.  Exceptions may apply for international students who are covered under a government sponsor or a select international organization, or who are covered as a US-based employee or a dependent of a US-based employee, with US-based health insurance provided through that employment.

The student health insurance will automatically be charged to the student’s account upon registration for classes.

 

ACCEPTING FINANCIAL AID AWARDS:

If you have been awarded an International Housing Award or Honors Award, you must accept your award through Financial Aid. To accept your award, follow the steps below.

Printable Version*

 

International Student Pre-Arrival Checklist: Spring 2026

  • You have registered for Mandatory In-Person International Student Orientation beginning on January 2, 2026.
  • Based on your individual testing requirements, you have taken your required Math and English Placement Tests (Undergraduate Students Only).
  • You have met with your YSU academic advisor and registered for classes.
  • If you are living in YSU Campus Housing, you have enrolled in a YSU payment plan or have paid your YSU bill in full to be eligible to move into your room. If you are living off-campus, you should have already made living arrangements. IPO does not provide assistance with off-campus housing.
  • If you are living off-campus, you understand that you are responsible for providing your own meals. If you live off-campus, you can purchase a YSU Meal Plan by visiting Guest Services located in Kilcawley Center.
  • You have followed the steps to create your YSU Identification Card, including uploading a photo to the ID card portal.
  • Your vaccinations are up to date, and you have uploaded them to MedProctor. For more information about immunizations and instructions for uploading your records please follow this link: YSU Immunization and Vaccination Information.
  • You have made financial arrangements to cover your Spring Semester costs to attend YSU.
    Accepted payment methods include U.S. certified bank drafts, wire transfers using Flywire/Transfer Mate, or enrollment in a YSU payment plan. The cashier’s office does not accept cash, no exceptions.
  • If you will arrive on December 30 at the Pittsburgh International Airport and require transportation to YSU, you have registered for the YSU airport pick-up shuttle available at 2:30pm and 8:30pm. If you arrive before December 30, you must arrange your own transportation. Please note that YSU will only offer transportation on December 30 from the Pittsburgh International Airport.
  • Your immigration documents required for travel and entry to the U.S. are organized in a travel folder. These documents include your passport, visa, and I-20. They should be kept in a safe place to prevent them from being lost during your travel. Please also ensure that you have signed and dated your I-20 at the bottom of Page 1 before entering the U.S.

 

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