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International Student Services

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Our Mission

The mission of International Student Services is to assist members of the Mercy University international community by providing support and advising to ensure academic success while maintaining compliance with immigration regulations. The office works to provide a meaningful cross-cultural experience for both international students and domestic college community members. International Student Services also works in collaboration with other departments to create opportunities where international students can foster a sense of community amongst each other while fully integrating into the Mercy community.

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"International Student" Defined

To maintain F-1 status, a student must make progress toward their chosen academic program and all information listed on the Form l-20 must be accurate at all times.  An international F-1 student must:

  • Attend the educational institution listed on the Form I-20
  • Make academic progress toward the program identified on the I-20
  • Register as a full-time student for every required term

F-1 students are authorized to stay in the United States for the entire length of their academic program, as long as they successfully pursue full-time enrollment.

Learn more about the next steps to becoming an F-1 student after being admitted to Mercy University.

Admitted Students Next Steps
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Your F-1 Visa

Status
When you entered the U.S., you were given permission to stay in the U.S. to for a particular reason or purpose for a specific period of time. As an F-1 student, your primary reason or purpose for being in the U.S. is to study as a full-time student. Your status, “F-1 D/S”, means that you can remain in the U.S. as long as you are pursuing the activity of studying full-time and obeying all the rules of your stay.

Visa
Your visa is simply a travel document, which allows you to re-enter the U.S. You can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa, as long as you are maintaining your status. If you plan on travelling while you are studying as an F-1 student, then you will need to keep a valid F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S.

Your Reporting Responsibilities

Your DSOs (Designated School Officials) at Mercy University are responsible for reporting any changes regarding your student status and other pertinent information. It is your responsibility to report any changes on your Form I-20 to International Student Services within 10 days of the change. A failure to do so may result in a violation of your status.

Please note that some of these changes will require a new Form I-20.

Enrollment
Responsibilities

As an F-1 international student, you must maintain full-time status for each required term.

The definition of a full-time student depends on your program. Please refer to this chart for the definition of a full-time student based on semester, trimester, and quarter based programs.

*During your first term at Mercy, you MUST be full-time, even if you choose to begin in a term that is not required. 

Education Level

Term Schedule

Required Terms

Credits Needed to be Full-time

Undergraduate

Semester Only

Fall & Spring

12 cr/semester

Graduate

Semester

Fall & Spring
(Cybersecurity, Counseling, Psychology, Physician Assistant, Mental Health Counseling)

9 cr/semester

Graduate

Trimester

Fall, Spring & Summer
(Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy)

6 cr/trimester

Graduate

Quarter

Fall, Winter & Spring
(All graduate School of Business Programs)

6 cr/quarter

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Reduced Courseload

As an F-1 international student, you are required to maintain full-time status as defined by your academic program. In the event that a compelling academic reason or medical reason occurs, you may be eligible to receive permission for a reduced course load (RCL).

A reduced course load authorization MUST be pre-approved by the International Students Office.

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Online Courses

Out of the credits required to be a full-time student, NO MORE than 3 credits can be taken online each term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Taking too many online credits is a violation of your status.

VERY IMPORTANT: A student who drops below a full course of study without prior approval of the DSO will be considered OUT OF STATUS.

Program Extensions

As an international student, all of the information listed on your Form I-20 must be accurate at all times. In some instances, the period of time stipulated on your Form I-20 may not match your needs or circumstances. If you anticipate program completion to go beyond the program end date listed on the first page of your I-20, you MUST contact International Student Services to request a program extension before the program end date arrives. 

You are eligible for an Extension, only if:

  1. You have applied for such extension in a timely manner prior to the expiration noted on the l-20 Form (a minimum of 30 days prior to expiration date is advised);
  2. You are in lawful status; and,
  3. You can demonstrate the need for such extension based on immigration laws* (Compelling academic reasons or medical reasons)
  4. Must provide financial documentation for additional time added to program

Note: An extension will not be granted if the need for such extension is based on poor academic performance. A maximum period of one year may be granted. 

  • Documented illness
  • English language difficulties
  • Change of major
  • Change of research topic
  • Research problems
  • Circumstances out of student’s control

 

IMPORTANT: You must contact International Student Services as soon as possible in order to submit the proper documentation for a program extension).

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Employment Guidelines

As an F-1 international student, there are a few instances where you can be approved to work. Learn more to ensure that you maintain your status while working.

Work Authorizations

As an F-1 International student, there are a number of things that you will need to travel internationally after your initial arrival in the U.S. When traveling, it is important that you hand carry (instead of packing in checked luggage) the following:

  • Valid passport (valid for 6 months after intended period of study)
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Form I-20 (Must be signed by International Students Office on page 2 within one year of your expected return to the U.S.)
  • Proof of financial support
  • Contact information of International Students Office at Mercy University

* As long as a student maintains status, the Designated School Official (DSO) will endorse the Form I-20 for the purpose of traveling abroad. Every student is required to contact the DSO in a timely manner in order to establish endorsement eligibility.

*Students under the OPT work authorization must have a valid travel signature every 6 months, as opposed to every year.

Students may also want to consider bringing the following:

  • Proof of paying the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee
  • Evidence of acceptance or continued enrollment at Mercy University (acceptance letter or transcript)

As an international F-1 student, you must show that you can support the costs of studying and living in the U.S. for the entire duration of your program.  This is required by law.  Annual costs include both Tuition & Living Expenses.  We look to see readily available funding for at least the first year.  Proof of income can be used to show ability to cover the costs beyond the first year.

Review more information on financing your education

Living expenses at Mercy University are estimated at $16,300 for I-20 issuance purposes. It is the estimated cost of living, books, and transportation for international students studying at Mercy. This is the estimated costs regardless of whether students live on or off-campus. You must provide proof for I-20 issuance that you can cover the $16,300 estimated living expenses. You may spend more or less, but this is what we estimate that you will spend on living books, transportation, etc.

International students must pay full tuition and fees according to the semester deadlines. Please note that because financial capability to cover the costs is shown before I-20 issuance, international students are not eligible for a payment plan option. In addition, all international students at Mercy University must pay a one-time International Student Fee which is due during your first semester at the University.

Failing to make a payment on an outstanding balance will result in a hold on your account. This hold will prevent you from registering for upcoming terms. Failure to register as a full-time student for a required term will result in a termination of your SEVIS record. You will be considered out of status by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

 

In order to receive a Form I-20 and F-1 visa, applicants must prove that they have sufficient funds are OR will be available from an identified and reliable financial source. Funding must be available to cover the cost of all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. Specifically, applicants must prove they have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study, and that adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study.

To make a payment for tuition, room & board, etc., you have the following options. Please note, that you will not be charged for classes until you register. Also, you will not be charged for room & board until you have been assigned a room. If you make a payment on your account when there is nothing due, the amount will be returned to you in the form of a check

PAYMENT IN PERSON: 
Go to the Office of Student Services at any Mercy University Campus.

PAYMENT BY CHECK: 
Be sure to include your Mercy CWID number on your check and mail to:

Mercy University
Attn: Office of Business Operations
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

PAYMENT BY CARD:

  • Go to URL https://connect.mercy.edu and logon using your username and password.
  • Select the Administrative Services tab.
  • Select the link Student & Financial Aid.
  • Under Student Accounts, select Account Summary or Account Summary by Term.
  • Select the appropriate link at the bottom of the page Pay by check or Credit Card Payment.
  • Select the term * of inquiry from the drop down menu.
  • Complete information and submit payment.

PAYMENT BY WIRE TRANSFER: 
For more detailed information and questions, please e-mail wiretransfer@mercy.edu for wire transfer instructions.

When sending money via wire transfer, be sure to account for bank fees.  Mercy's bank charges $15 (USD) for incoming, international wire transfers.  Check with your bank to confirm any fees associated with outgoing, international wire transfers.  Please ensure that you add any bank fees to the principal amount that you are sending.  If the fee amount is not added, it will be deducted from the amount of money sent.  Additionally, please include your full name and CWID when sending the transfer.  This will ensure that the money you are sending will be applied to your student account at Mercy.

 

DOMESTIC WIRES –US DOLLARS FROM WITHIN US BORDERS

Receiving bank: TD Bank NA- 2035 Limestone Rd-Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Receiving ABA: 0311-0126-6

Beneficiary:        MERCY UNIVERSITY

                                555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Beneficiary Account# 7916045698- MC General Fund

 

INTERNATIONAL WIRES- US DOLLARS FROM OUTSIDE US BORDERS

Receiving bank: TD Bank NA-2035 Limestone Rd-Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Receiving ABA: 0311-0126-6

Beneficiary:        MERCY UNIVERSITY

                                555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Beneficiary Account# 7916045698- MC General Fund

 

INTERNATIONAL WIRES- FOREIGN CURRENCY

Receiving bank: The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1A2

Receiving SWIFT: TDOMCATTTOR

For further credit to: TD Bank NA- 2035 Limestone Rd-Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Beneficiary Bank SWIFT: NRTHUS33XXX

Beneficiary:        MERCY UNIVERSITY

                                555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Beneficiary Account# 7916045698- MC General Fund

 

Contact the International Team

We’re here to help you every step of the way, from picking a program, starting your application, submitting your application materials, and learning about life as an international student in New York. Mercy University is committed to expanding our global network by providing a dynamic and diverse learning environment that brings people from all over the world together. Your place at Mercy lasts longer than just your time here and we’re excited to show you everything we have to offer.

Interested in applying to Mercy University as an F-1 international student? Our International Admissions team will be able to walk you through each step of the process.

If you are interested in one of our exchange programs, please email studyabroad@mercy.edu to learn about the application process.