Congratulations on being accepted to Augustana University!
Augustana hopes that you will decide to join the university campus community. Once you confirm your place by submitting an enrollment deposit, AU will create your I-20 so you can apply for a student visa.
Submit a non-refundable ($600) international student enrollment deposit — refundable only if your visa is denied. This enrollment deposit reserves your spot at Augustana and allows the university to send you additional information regarding housing, course registration and other important steps in the enrollment process. The deposit pays for a housing damage deposit ($100) and International Student Orientation & Programming Fee ($500), which includes several fun events and excursions each year, as well as the costs of housing and most meals during the orientation program.
Pay deposit one of the following ways:
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your country for specific information on applying for a F-1 student visa. You will need to have your I-20 visa document from Augustana to complete this step. You will also need to pay a SEVIS Fee. For general information about the student visa application process, visit the U.S. State Department website. If you have questions about obtaining a student visa, ask your AU admission counselor.
First Year Students (Degree-Seeking)
The information provided on this pre-registration form will assist the Registrar’s Office in creating a class schedule based on your intended majors and/or minors. You will have the opportunity to review your schedule with an advisor before the start of the term.
Transfer Students (Degree-Seeking)
Augustana will evaluate your courses and credits from your previous university/college. Once this process is completed, the Registrar’s Office will register you for your first semester courses. You will review and approve your courses with an academic advisor during the international student orientation registration session.
Exchange Students (earning a degree at your home university)
Exchange students have the flexibility to choose courses that meet their home school requirements, as long as you have had adequate academic preparation for the course material. Select courses that will be or have been approved by your home university and send the list of courses to Augustana. The Registrar’s Office will register you for your courses. You will review and approve your courses with an academic advisor during the international student orientation registration session.
** Important Registration Note
International students who plan to graduate from Augustana with a bachelor's degree should review the general course catalog for major requirements and SOPHIA (the general education requirements that you will need to graduate, along with major/minor requirements). For all students: 12-16 Augustana credit hours (equivalent to 24-32 ECTS credits) per semester is considered "full time" at Augustana. This means students usually take four or five classes each semester with each course providing three to four credits each.
Augustana University offers a Friendship Family Program for international students. While nearly all students live on campus at Augustana (and not with friendship families), having a local family can introduce you to American culture, activities and family life away from the university.
You will receive login credentials (a username and password) to the Augustana portal at my.augie.edu and email account. Login to your account and change your password immediately. Once you have logged into your portal account, complete the housing and roommate preference form. If you have problems logging into your account, contact the IT Help Desk.
Augustana Housing & Residence Life will send you an email regarding your new (@ole.augie.edu) email account with information about housing options. The email will contain a link to a housing application form, which should be completed at your earliest convenience. If you have questions about the application, contact Housing & Residence Life.
** Reminder: Your $600 enrollment deposit includes a $100 housing damage deposit. At the end of each academic year, your room will be inspected for damage. If the room is not damaged, you will receive a refund after your final semester in college-owned housing.
It is important to complete your COVID-19 vaccination series before traveling to the U.S. Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine is required for entry to the U.S.
Complete the required health forms, including the history of required immunizations, prior to the start of classes at Augustana. Find the form in the my.augie.edu portal under your "tasks" on the home screen when you first login. International students are required to provide proof of the below immunizations. Augustana recommends several other immunizations listed on the health forms. International students may send the health forms to AU by email, regular mail or upon arrival. AU recommends that you obtain required vaccinations in your home country where they may be less expensive. You can arrange for the following vaccinations on campus after you arrive for the approximate costs below:
International students are required to have medical health insurance in the U.S. Students will automatically be billed for and enrolled in a medical health insurance plan recommended by the university unless proof of sufficient medical coverage is provided through another insurance provider or your home-country’s medical insurance plan. Students who have their own insurance from another source are required to submit the International Student Insurance Plan Waiver Form.
Students Under 18 Years Old
If you are under the age of 18, Augustana wants to make sure that the university can assist you if you need health care while in the U.S. Please have a parent complete and sign this form and keep it with your documents. You can also scan it and email it to AU in advance and the university will keep it on file.
For those who will be under 18 upon arrival in the U.S., your parent(s) or guardian(s) need to complete the Consent to Treat a Minor Child Form. Bring the form with you to the U.S. and keep it in your important documents.
Augustana Dining Services provides a wide variety of healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students are automatically enrolled in an "unlimited" meal plan. Students may eat as much and as many times as they like during the Dining Service's regular hours.
Submit your flight information online or forward your itinerary to the International Program Office (IPO) and the IPO will arrange to pick you up from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD).
Spring Semester 2023 — Plan to arrive in Sioux Falls on Monday, Jan. 30. International Student Orientation will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and spring semester classes begin on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Fall Semester 2023 — Plan to arrive in Sioux Falls on Sunday, Aug. 20. International Student Orientation will begin on Monday, Aug. 21, and fall semester classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Immigration/Visa/Arrival Information
Your F-1 student visa allows you to arrive 30 days prior to the start of your program date. Your official immigration program date is located on your I-20. DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE INDICATED ON YOUR I-20. You may be denied entry to the U.S. if you arrive more than 30 days prior to your start date on your I-20. Your earliest admission date is listed on your I-20 under Program of Study information.
Arrival Information
Students are welcome to arrive in the Sioux Falls prior to the recommended arrival date, however on-campus student accommodations will not be available until Monday, January 30 for Spring Semester arrivals and Sunday, August 20 for Fall Semester arrivals.
Airline Information
Direct flight arrangements to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, can be made through the following large U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Phoenix. Additional direct non-daily flights on discount airlines are available to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg. The Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is served by Delta, United, American, Frontier and Allegiant Airlines.
Though Augustana recognizes that not all parents have the ability to travel with their student to Sioux Falls, the university welcomes parents and close relatives who can join AU before orientation begins. For Fall 2023, Augustana recommends parents arrive Sunday, Aug. 20. Parents are welcome through the first two days of orientation, but ask you to say farewell to your parents Tuesday evening to fully focus on orientation and classes. Due to housing constraints on campus, AU cannot offer parents a place to stay in the dorms. Several hotels in Sioux Falls offer a discount to families connected to Augustana.
Augustana International Student Orientation begins on Monday, Aug. 21, for Fall Semester 2023. International Student Orientation includes campus and city tours, assistance with setting up a bank account and mobile phone service, as well as information regarding immigration, campus employment, academics at Augustana, housing and more. Every new student is met at the airport and welcomed by an ACE Ambassador — an upperclassman student volunteer.
The Augustana Business Office generally expects payment to be made in full at least 15 days prior to the start of classes each semester. Visit your student portal account for balance information. In some cases, a payment plan may be arranged. Contact Sharon Heap in the Business Office to discuss this option. Augustana accepts most major credit cards, as well as international wire transfer payments and a new payment solution called Flywire. Indicate your full name and student ID number in the notes area of your payment transaction. As soon as payments are processed, the "Course and Fee Statement" on your portal will be updated automatically.
Sioux Falls is a great college town that offers many opportunities for students. Check out all of the entertainment, shopping and events the city has to offer.
Packing for college can be a challenge. Creating a pre-departure checklist is essential. Augustana recommends that students pack lightly. Sioux Falls, with a metropolitan population of more than 270,000, is home to a wide array of retail and thrift stores. You will be able to find anything you need once you arrive. ACE Ambassadors and IPO staff will provide transportation for your initial shopping needs. Refer to this packing list for suggestions on what to bring. Also remember to pack your I-20 documents and passport for immigration, final transcripts, health forms and immunization records.
Set your alarm clock on your departure date, eat a good breakfast, say final farewells to friends and family and depart for the airport early. Contact the Augustana Department of Campus Safety (open 24 hours) if you have any travel delays or issues at +1.605.274.4014. Look for your ACE Ambassador as you exit the security area of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) — they will have an Augustana sign with your name on it. Welcome to AU, where a new adventure begins!
International Programs Office | ipo@augie.edu | 605.274.5050