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New Student Intake Forms: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please review the topics below for helpful guidance on common inquiries ISO receives from students when completing the New Student Intake Forms (NSIF).

Timing  |  Communications  |  Program Dates
Funding Requirements  |  Submission Check  |  Other Forms

 

When should I complete the New Student Intake Forms (NSIF)? How do I access them online?

You will be notified by email when this tool is available to you. The NSIF is a 3-part process: 1) UR Department confirms admission and completes NSIF Department Section; 2) Student receives email notification and completes NSIF Student Section; 3) ISO reviews all NSIF data to determine any additional details required and need for UR immigration documents. You will NOT be able to access the NSIF Student Section until your admitting office or academic program has submitted the NSIF Department Section! When you receive ISO’s email about the NSIF, it will include important program and funding details that were reported to us, as well as a link to the forms and detailed instructions on what information and documents to prepare. At that time, you will need your activated University NetID to access ISO’s client portal, URcompass. (top)

 

Why didn’t I receive an email from ISO, when my department says they submitted the NSIF already?

Most automated URcompass messages are queued for delivery twice daily, at 12:30PM and 12:30AM (Eastern time). Therefore, it is possible that your academic department may submit the NSIF Department Section and notify you directly, but you will receive the detailed communication from ISO a little bit later. Such temporary delays are normal and anticipated, as part of our scheduled database tasks. If there are continued delays, please confirm with your UR Department that your NSIF was submitted and they included the appropriate email address. We appreciate your patience and understanding! (top)

 

What is the difference between my Program Start Date and the Start of Classes?  What date(s) will be listed on my I-20 or DS-2019?

On the F-1 I-20, schools are permitted to differentiate between the start of the program, which identifies the start of required in-person arrival and orientation activities before the academic term begins, and the start of classes, which should reflect required enrollment. Therefore, the NSIF prompts UR Departments to list these dates separately, even if they happen to be the same (when there are no required in-personal arrival and orientation activities prior to the start of classes). The Program Start Date is not arbitrary and must align with required in-person events or training scheduled for new students upon their arrival. On the J-1 DS-2019, only one start date is listed to cover the period of study, which will reflect the NSIF Program Start Date.

ISO’s email notification to access the NSIF will include these dates for your reference and planning purposes. Most F-1 and J-1 students are eligible to enter the US only up to 30 days before the start of their program, with some exception depending on SEVIS category. Please be sure to make your travel plans in accordance with program expectations and arrival services on campus. (top)

 

How much financial support will I need to demonstrate in the NSIF?

ISO’s email notification to access the NSIF will include the estimated expenses for your program of study and any UR funding support, as provided by your UR Department. When you access the NSIF Financial Support form in the NSIF Student Section, any additional expenses for dependent family members will be calculated as well. You are required to show the amount remaining from your total estimated expenses for one year, less any annual support from the school. The NSIF displays a table to help with these calculations. As you list different sources of non-UR funding, the form will sum the amount you have shown and display the remaining amount required. You will be able to submit the NSIF only once the Remaining Funding Required amount is at or below $0 USD. If you have questions about the annual school support listed in your NSIF, please contact your admitting department. (top)

 

How can I check if my information and documents for the NSIF are accurate before I submit them?

There is no need to review your information with ISO prior to submitting the NSIF. Our staff will review all information and document copies in detail once the forms are complete. If specific revisions or new document uploads are needed, we will unlock the relevant form(s) for editing and you will receive a detailed email communication to return to the NSIF via URcompass. Upon resubmission, ISO will continue processing your request and notify you of further progress.

Note: If there is a technical issue preventing your NSIF submission, the form will provide prompts to correct omissions and minor errors. All file uploads are limited to 30MB (though we appreciate you compressing file size whenever possible). If you are still encountering a technical issue, please contact us at admitquestions@iso.rochester.edu for additional assessment. (top)

 

What other forms should I complete in URcompass while my new I-20 or DS-2019 is pending?

There are no other forms required or relevant for incoming students while navigating the New Student Intake Forms. Please DO NOT submit additional forms via URcompass without direction, as this will slow ISO processing times. When you are due to arrive at UR, you will be prompted to complete the Immigration Check-In forms, but it is not possible to do so until you have entered the United States in the status in which you intend to begin your study at UR. Until then, you should not need URcompass tools for check-in, document uploads, reprint requests, etc. (top)

 

Return to additional instructions for the New Student Intake Forms.