Receive your SHSU I-20

Congratulations on your acceptance to Sam Houston State University! Shortly after you receive your official SHSU acceptance email or letter, an international application will be created on your student service portal for you to submit documents (for students outside the USA) or transfer of your SEVIS record (for students inside the USA). 

What is the form I-20?

The I-20 is your evidence that you are an international student at SHSU. If you are currently outside the U.S., your first I-20 will read “Initial Attendance.” This I-20 allows you to apply for your F1 student visa and enter the U.S. Once you arrive at SHSU, you will check in at the Global Engagement Center and receive a “Continued Attendance” I-20. This I-20 denotes that you are an enrolled student at SHSU. 

International students already in the U.S., studying at another institution, can request to transfer their SEVIS record (I-20) to SHSU. Once the transfer is complete, you can check in at the Global Engagement Center and receive an SHSU “Continued Attendance” I-20. 

What documents do I need to provide to receive my I-20?

• New incoming international students (All international first time students or students transferring from out of country institutions): 

  • Copy of valid passport 
  • Proof of funding (can be shown in personal/sponsored bank statements with debited amounts or scholarships) 
  • Completed GEC Sponsor Letter of Financial Support form if being sponsored 

• Transfer-in international students (ONLY for international students transferring from USA based institutions): 

  • Copy of valid passport 
  • Proof of funding (can be shown in personal/sponsored bank statements with debited amounts or scholarships) 
  • Completed GEC Sponsor Letter of Financial Support form if being sponsored 
  • Copy of most recent I-94 
  • Copy of current I-20 
  • Completed SEVIS transfer-in form 

Frequently asked questions:

• Can I submit more than one bank statement? Yes, you can submit multiple bank statements.
• Can my parent/sponsor submit a bank statement on my behalf? Yes, they can. They must fill out the GEC Sponsor Letter of Financial Support form.

Please click on your student type below for instructions on how to receive your SHSU I-20.

• Students currently outside the U.S.

  Step 1

  After you are admitted to your program of study at SHSU, submit all required documents to your Self Service Center at www.shsu.edu/checkstatus in your OIP I-20 Application.   

  Step 2

  A DSO will review all submitted documents and you will receive your SHSU “Initial Attendance” I-20 through email and prepare for your F1 student visa interview.

  Step 3

  Check-in at the Global Engagement Center to receive your SHSU “Continued Attendance” I-20.

• Students currently inside the U.S.

  Step 1

  After you are admitted to your program of study at SHSU, submit all required documents to your Self Service Center at www.shsu.edu/checkstatus in your OIP I-20 Application. 

  Step 2

  A DSO will review all submitted documents and you will receive an I-20 once your record is released to SHSU.

  Reminder—If you just completed a program or OPT at your current institution, you must transfer your SEVIS record before the end of your 60-day grace period. 

  Step 3

  Check-in at the Global Engagement Center to receive your SHSU “Continued Attendance” I-20.