Coming to Park

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Parkville, Missouri:
816-584-6444 – Office of Campus Safety (available 24 hours a day)
816-584-6820 – International Education (available Mon-Fri during business hours)
816-584-7401 – Office of Residence Life (available Mon-Fri during business hours)

Gilbert, Arizona:
602-301-1702 – Housing (available 24 hours a day)
480-214-2100 – (available Mon-Fri during business hours)

STEP 1. SECURE A VISA

RECEIVE THE I-20 FORM

Congratulations on your admission to Park University! Now you must receive your I-20 which is a government form that tells the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Student Status.  Once you are admitted to Park University, you will receive an email notification with your SEVIS ID number. Your admission packet along with your original I-20 form was emailed to you.  Study in the States is a helpful international student resource site.

COMPLETE DS-160 FORM and PAY SEVIS FEE

After receiving the I-20, fill out the DS-160 form and then pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. The I-901 SEVIS fee is a fee of $350 implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used for maintaining your Student and Exchange Student Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record/I-20. This fee must be paid before you are allowed an appointment at the U.S. Embassy.

There are several ways to pay your SEVIS I-901 fee. The preferred method is to pay online. This immediately provides you with a receipt, printable from your computer. Proof of the I-901 SEVIS fee payment is necessary to bring to the U.S. Embassy for your visa appointment.

ATTEND THE EMBASSY INTERVIEW

After you receive an I-20, admission letter from Park, fill out the DS-160 and pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee you can schedule your Embassy Appointment with U.S. Embassy.

During your appointment you will present the required documents along with a valid passport and proof of financial support. The consular will stamp the Visa (F-1) in your passport and return the I-20 to you.

Please view these important visa interview tips.

STEP 2. STEPS BEFORE ARRIVAL

SUBMIT ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Submit the International Arrival Form as soon as possible. When you use an I-20 issued by Park University to secure an F-1 Visa, you must report to Park for initial registration by the report dated listed on the I-20.

MAKING THE PAYMENT DEPOSIT

International students are required to pay $2000 toward their first semester’s tuition before the beginning of classes.

Payment Options:

  1. Log into your MyPark Student Account and click on the “Student” link on the top of the page. Your ID and password are emailed to you during admission.
  2. On the new page, scroll down and click on the “Student Financial Information” link (has a pig on a book icon) link
  3. On the right hand side, click on the “Student Billing” link
  4. A new page will open showing your bill. If you look to the right hand side, you will see an area that you can put in an amount to pay and “pay online (secure). Put in the amount you want to pay and follow the prompts.

The receipt for your payment will then be emailed to you.

Alternatively, you can do a wire transfer with this tool.  If you choose this option make sure your name and student ID is clear in the notes attached to the wire transfer.

To receive a payment receipt, contact stuaccounts@park.edu.

Once you have completed the arrival form and the deposit, an advisor will reach out to you about enrolling in classes.

ARRANGE HOUSING

You must complete the housing application, sign a contract and submit your housing deposit in order to receive a room in the dormitories! More information is available here.

If you are under 21 and an undergraduate student, you must live on campus. You are eligible to live off campus if you are living with parents, legal guardians, dependent children, or if you have 58 or more credit hours prior to the first semester of attendance.

If you are a graduate student or transfer student with 58 or more credit you may elect to live on campus OR in an off campus housing location. We can email you suggestions for off campus options available upon request.

PAY FOR THE FIRST SEMESTER

International students are required to pay for their first semester’s tuition before the beginning of classes. You can pay your tuition online.  You can see the instructions below:

To Pay Online:

  1. Log into your MyPark Student Accountand click on the “Student” link on the top of the page. Your ID and password are emailed to you during admission.
  2. On the new page, scroll down and click on the “Student Financial Information” link (has a pig on a book icon) link
  3. On the right hand side, click on the “Student Billing” link
  4. A new page will open showing your bill.  If you look to the right hand side, you will see an area that you can put in an amount to pay and “pay online (secure).  Put in the amount you want to pay and follow the prompts.

The receipt for your payment will then be emailed to you.

Alternatively, you can do a wire transfer with this tool.  If you choose this option make sure your name and student ID is clear in the notes attached to the wire transfer. Please email kevin.vicker@park.edu once you make payment if you choose the wire transfer option as well.

CONSIDER EARLY REGISTRATION

Park University offers admitted international students the opportunity to register for classes in advance of their arrival in the USA!

You will take the English and Math virtual placement tests online if you are an undergraduate student who has not taken the SAT or ACT. Instructions will be sent to you by email. This is not required for graduate students.

A Park University student advisor will then contact you to set up a virtual advising appointment.

ARRANGE TRAVEL TO CAMPUS

The Kansas City International Airport (KCI) is located approximately a 17-minute drive from Park University.

To request a free pickup from KCI to campus, you may fill out the Airport Pick-Up Form.

ACCESS YOUR STUDENT EMAIL

After being admitted to Park University, you will be assigned a Park student email account. The login and password information will be sent to the personal email address supplied on your application. Please use this link for directions on how to access your student email account.

STEP 3. ARRIVE TO PARK UNIVERSITY AND ATTEND ORIENTATION

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

After Orientation with International Education, if you have not enrolled, you will meet your Success Coach (Academic Advisor) and select your classes.

COMPASS PLACEMENT TESTS

During the week of orientation/registration, you may have to take placement tests in English and Math.

ATTEND ORIENTATION

Orientation is mandatory. International Student Orientation for the Fall 2023 semester is Friday, August 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Alumni Hall on campus.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION/STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE

All new international students are charged a $20/credit hour fee, which goes towards special events and services offered for international students. This fee will be automatically charged to your student account.

HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE

All students are required to purchase medical insurance upon enrollment which is automatically billed to your student account. The estimated insurance charge for each semester rates are $1,250 for athletes and $806 for non-athletes. Park uses LewerMark Student Insurance which provides insurance to international and study abroad students across the nation.

STEP 4. GET INVOLVED

There are many ways to get involved with events and activities at Park University. Here are four main ways we suggest:

  1. Learn more about our International Students Inc. program where you can meet with American Families and participate in weekly events.
  2. Join one of many student organizations listed here! Contact: studentlife@park.edu
  3. Contact our Park International Club that is dedicated to making Park University a welcoming environment for international students. Contact information will be shared during Orientation.

 

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.