MAVzone is CMU’s online student portal for all admitted and enrolled students.
Log in to MAVzone using the 2 auto-generated emails that were sent to you.
You will be asked to change your password – be sure to remember your username and password.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This is required by ALL F1 and J1 students and must be done prior to the visa interview.
Canadian students are required to pay the SEVIS fee but do not need to apply for a visa.
Complete and submit your online F1 student visa application with Form DS-160 immediately after receiving your I-20.
See more information if needed about completing the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application online as well as the FAQs.
Be sure to PRINT and keep the DS-160 barcode page when you have completed the application (you do not need to print the full application).
Once you have completed the DS-160 visa application, schedule your visa appointment where you will interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Note: visa interviews scheduled within approximately 1 month of the start of classes will be asked to defer their start date to the next available semester. Housing and courses are not available to new students who cannot confirm a scheduled interview approximately one month (or more) before the start of classes.
Depending on your date of admission and how soon the next semester begins, schedule your interview at the U.S. Embassy. A visa can be issued up to 365 days in advance of your program start date on your I-20.
Visa wait times vary from country to country and embassy to embassy so the sooner you complete the DS-160 application the sooner you are able to schedule your interview.
The consulate does not notify us about the date or result of your visa interview, so please confirm with International Admissions immediately after you have scheduled your visa interview (or respond to the email you will receive about this).
A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.
Gather documentation (see items listed under “Gather Required Documentation” as well as “Additional Documentation May be Required”).
The consulate does not notify us about the date or result of your visa interview, so please confirm with International Student Services after your interview whether your visa was accepted or denied (or respond to the email you will receive about this).
On-campus housing is very limited so do not delay in applying.
Students who are not first-time freshman and/or who are over 21 years of age should be prepared to secure off-campus housing.
Housing details and instructions were provided to you in the admissions email that contained your I-20. Please respond to that email with any questions.
Review the online CMU Catalog to understand how credit hours are completed and how GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated. You can also find info on academic integrity, academic probation & suspension, and more.
Students at U.S. universities must take courses from various disciplines in order to complete all requirements for graduation. Non-major or non-degree classes are called “Essential Learning” courses or “ESSL”. You have options of which class within that department to take to fulfill these requirements.
If you have university or college-level credits from a foreign college or university, you must have the transcript professionally evaluated by World Education Services or another NACES-approved evaluation company before the Registrar’s Office at Colorado Mesa University will assess for transfer credit. This process is optional but please note that you will start your degree from the beginning if you choose not to have your foreign credits professionally evaluated. Transfer credit is not guaranteed.
Complete the required New Student Enrollment Form via the applicant portal. Completing this form provides us with your schedule/course preferences and confirms your intent to enroll.
To comply with your visa regulations, you MUST be in a minimum of 9 in-person/hybrid credits and a minimum of 12 total credits each fall and spring semester.
You will enroll each fall and spring semester in 12-15 credit hours (sometimes more but usually in year 2+ of your studies). The average class is 3 credit hours so 4-5 classes per semester is also considered normal.
Our Advising Office (IRIS) will create a functional schedule for you based off the preferences stated in the New Student Enrollment Form.
Once you have submitted the form you have the opportunity to review and request certain changes. Please note, changes cannot be guaranteed, as the schedule must comply with immigration regulations, CMU policies, and full-time enrollment requirements.
Important: In the U.S., it is normal that your first semester has relatively few major (degree) classes and instead is mostly comprised of Essential Learning Credits (also known as General Education Classes).
In planning for the financial costs of the first semester, please remember that you were asked during the admission process to show proof of funds to cover one year of estimated tuition, fees, living and personal expenses. Please plan accordingly. The bill for tuition, fees, room & board will be due within the first two weeks of classes unless you sign up for a payment plan (available to enroll in close to the start of a semester).
A student cannot arrive in the U.S. with insufficient funds and expect to cover the difference of their first semester balance by working on campus 20 hours a week which is the maximum allowed on the visa.
While you may find a job and this may help with spending money, the cost of your first semester will be much higher than what you can earn working 20 hours a week on campus.
Students who have not paid their bill in full or signed up for a semester payment plan within a month of the start of classes will have late and service fees added to their account and will not be able to register for the next semester’s classes.
Estimated expenses for first semester:
Out-of-state tuition and fees for 1 semester (at least 12 credit hours total and at least 9 must be in-person/hybrid). Tuition and fees are billed on a per credit hour basis. One class is generally 3 credits. Most students take between 12-18 credits. Note: in-person/hybrid classes are more expensive than web/online but all F1 visa holders are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credits each fall/spring semester of in-person/hybrid.
Other fees: one-time $140 matriculation fee, $90 orientation fee, $200 housing application fee and deposit (if living on campus), $30 residence life activity fee (if living on campus), possible individual course fees beyond the standard fees, and any required digital books for your classes (automatically charged when you register).
Room and board cost varies per residence hall and room-type. You can toggle at the top of the previously linked webpage to “per year” or “per semester” and then view the cost of just the housing plus with the different meal plans. Note: if living on campus (except in an apartment) you are required to have a meal plan. Please note: first time college students under 21 years of age are required to live on campus.
If you have not taken the ACT or SAT test (optional for international students) and have not taken college level math already, you may be required to take a placement exam(s).
Health insurance - CMU has a group health insurance plan for international students. Health insurance is required while studying in the United States. Healthcare is expensive and NOT free. Please see the video called Health Insurance Explained to learn more. You will be enrolled in this plan when you confirm when you will begin your travel to the U.S. if you have left the country during the break. The group plan costs approximately $112 per month and coverage for your first semester will be added to your university semester bill.
Other expenses (not billed by the university): Mobile phone, laptop, books for your classes, classroom supplies, etc. and travel/personal expenses such as clothing & entertainment
As an international student on an visa and per Customs and Border Patrol regulations, you may not arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before the start of classes. This is called the program start date and is listed on your I-20.
There is a required new international student orientation on the Friday before classes begin for the fall semester and the day before classes begin for the spring semester (usually on a Monday when classes begin Tuesday). The orientation is required. More details are sent to you via email as the start of the semester approaches.
Information about move-in to on campus housing, meal plan start dates, etc. will be sent you visa email. Airport information: As you make your travel plans, please be sure to fly into the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) but please confirm your arrival and travel plans BEFORE purchasing any flights so that we can discuss any logistical issues ahead of time.
Immunizations – college students in Colorado are required to show proof of two vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and have it documented on this immunization form. Read more about this requirement if needed. Most foreign students do not have 2 shots for MMR so please speak with your health care provider to determine if you can receive the second prior to your arrival. If you oppose the vaccine, you may complete a waiver and should visit the IRIS office on campus when you arrive to get this phone. Remember, the only required documented vaccine is 2 rounds of the MMR, otherwise the waiver is needed.
Health insurance – please be sure to confirm with us your first day of travel if arriving from outside the U.S. or if you have a student visa and are transferring from another institution, please confirm when your current health insurance expires. See the section on financial planning above for additional information about health insurance.
Prepare yourself for the USA “Way of Life” by reading about American Culture, Social Life, Culture Shock, and more.
Learn about CMU! Review the information found in the “prepare for your visa interview” section above
Check your CMU daily as soon as have you confirmed your plans to attend
Confirm your arrival date and time with the International Student Services Office (be on the lookout for an email requesting your arrival information, airport pick up request, etc.).
Remember to bring your final official secondary and/or college transcripts (an original copy, not a photocopy).
Make physical and digital copies of your important documents.
Be sure you have signed and dated your I-20 at the bottom of the first page above your name.
Travel with your passport (with the visa foil in it) and your I-20 in your personal bag/purse (not in checked baggage) and declare any cash that you travel with.
