Congratulations on your admission to the University of Nebraska at Kearney!
Next Steps:
Prepare for campus life and complete the requirements below to register for classes.
Submit your Financial Affidavit
Upon official admission to UNK, the financial affidavit form and supplemental documentation (bank document, etc.) must be submitted to us.
Following receipt of the financial documentation, we will issue the appropriate visa document (I-20 or DS-2019) to you. At that time you may begin the process of obtaining an F or J visa.
What is a Visa?
What is a Visa? The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport is permission to apply to enter the United States in that visa category. Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa stamp in their passport to enter the U.S.
The F-1 and J-1 category of visa will allow you to enroll in credit bearing classes. Visitors with other visa classifications may not have approval to study.
How do I get a Visa?
Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You cannot apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa inside the U.S. We encourage you to apply for the visa in your home country. F-1 and J-1 visas may be issued up to 120 days before the academic program start date.
Your TrueYou username (NUID@nebraska.edu) is used to log into your Microsoft Outlook account. The password is the same password you use to log into MyBLUE. Check your UNK email account frequently throughout your entire time at UNK.
Get Your Student ID Card
Your UNK ID is your key to campus and access to services, buildings, athletics, events, library card and more. You can also purchase items using Loper Dollars.
Submit your photo online for your student ID card. You will receive your ID card when you arrive to campus.
General Health Information
MMR Immunization
All incoming students are required to provide documentation of two MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations before attending classes. Instructions for uploading your immunization records are outlined below.
If you have received only one MMR dose or have not been vaccinated, UNK Global and UNK Student Health will assist in arranging vaccination after your arrival on campus. Please be aware that there is a cost associated with receiving the MMR vaccine.
Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
Students arriving from countries with a three-year average TB incidence rate of 20 or more cases per 100,000 population are required to complete TB testing. UNK Global and the UNK Student Health Clinic will inform you if testing is needed and will coordinate the process. TB testing is conducted at the campus clinic and carries an associated cost.
Important Notes
The MMR vaccination and TB testing requirements must be completed as soon as possible before attending any classes. UNK Global and Student Health will attempt to contact students with incomplete records up to three times. If there is no response, UNK may involve campus police to assist in locating the student to ensure compliance.
Upload Immunization Records
Login to MyBLUE with your NUID# and password. Go to Profile, then Immunization.
Click Upload/View Health Records tab (pop-up blocker off).
On the next screen, enter your MMR dates. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Save button. Next click on Add/View Attachment.
Click Choose File to find your saved immunization records. This can be a scan or photo of your immunization records (send .jpg, .pdf, or Word file). Click Upload.
Once uploaded, click Save and Submit to the University.
International Student Parental Consent Forms
In Nebraska, it is mandatory to obtain parental consent before administering medical examination or treatment to any student under the age of 19. To ensure that UNK is able to provide medical services to minor students, please email a completed copy of the parental consent form to unkhealth@unk.edu.
How to Get Started
Allow 50 minutes to take the online math exam. Use your NUID and MyBLUE password to log in.
Once completed, you can register for a math course at UNK.
Complete your contract as soon as possible to have a better chance to receive your first-choice housing pick. Email the Office of Residence Life at housing@unk.edu if you have questions.
Housing plans must be confirmed before arriving on-campus. Short-term housing is not available.
On-campus housing is required for all new students who are not 19 years olf on the first day of the semester. Refer to the UNK Academic Calendar to determine when the Semester/Regular Academic Session begins.
J1 students are required to stay on campus during their studies. J1 students are NOT eligible to apply for the University Village Flats.
Consider a Living Learning Community
A communityallows you to live with those who share your major, interests, or academic achievements. The environment contributes greatly to your success.
Some communities are tied to scholarship deadlines, so plan ahead and apply.
Choose a Meal Plan
Students who live in residence halls during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) are required to have a meal plan.
All exchange students are required to purchase a residential meal plan.
Choose from three meal plansthat include dining dollars to use across campus at different retail operations.
Purchase Bedding
Students who attend UNK will need to bring their own bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, and washcloths.
All rooms in the Residence Halls have extra-long beds that are 80 inches long, which require extra long Twin XL sheets.
International students can order items online from Walmart, Target, or Amazon. Send them directly to us and we will make sure they are waiting for you in your Residence Hall when you arrive. Send to:
Student’s First and Last Name UNK Global West Center, 227 1917 West 24th Street Kearney, NE 68849 1-308-865-8246
Watch for Housing News
Leading up to the move-in date, watch for emails from the Office of Residence Life with information to help your move go smoothly.
When to Arrive
International students are required by U.S. Immigration and UNK to attend NISO (New International Student Orientation).
Arrival Date: Students who begin the Fall 2025 semester should arrive at campus between August 17-19, 2025.
Arrival Time: Students need to arrive in Kearney between these hours:
8:00 AM – 11:00 PM (12-hour format)
08:00 – 23:00 (24-hour format)
If you cannot arrive during these times, please find lodging accommodation that allow you to arrive during the time specified above the next day.
New International Student Orientation begins August 20-21, 2025.
Book Travel
Kearney has a regional airport with incoming flights from Denver.
If you cannot fly to Kearney, you can fly into Grand Island (GRI), Omaha (OMA) or Lincoln (LNK), but you will need to take the Greyhound bus to Kearney.
Greyhound buses do not pick up at the airports, so you must take a taxi/Uber/Lyft to the bus station.
The bus stations have the following locations
Grand Island: 3231 Ramada Rd #1, Grand Island, NE 6880
Lincoln: 5250 Superior St, Lincoln, NE 68504
Omaha: 1601 Jackson St, Omaha, NE 68102
When you arrive in Kearney, during the time below, we will meet you at the airport or bus stop and take you to campus:
