Congratulations on your admission to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. You may be wondering what to do next.If you are admitted as an international student, follow the steps below to prepare for campus life and complete requirements before you can register for classes.For your convenience, you may also print next steps.
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.
Once you have completed these steps, an in-person interview is required. Sign up for your visa interview.
Set Up MyBLUE
Your MyBLUE account is the most important tool you will have as a UNK student and is available immediately following your application for admission.
Login requires your 8-digit NUID# and your TrueYou password. Create your password here. If you need help, contact the UNK Help Desk at unkhelpdesk@unk.edu.
Set Up Duo Mobile
This is a two-factor approval system to access MyBLUE and student dashboards.
Follow the steps and watch our Duo Factor video for assistance:
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
UNK requires all incoming students to upload immunization records that show two MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations. This information must be submitted to UNK before a student can register for classes.
Students are required to be tested for tuberculosis when they arrive to campus. Do not get tested at home before you arrive. UNK Student Health & Counseling will be available to test you when you arrive.
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.
Watch our math video for assistance:
Apply for Housing
Students who are arriving for the spring 2024 semester can complete their housing application in MyBlue. Here are instructions. For students arriving for the fall 2024 semester, the housing 2024-2025 application will be available January 5.
Complete your contract as soon as possible to have a better chance to receive your first-choice housing pick. Email us at international@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 on the first day of the semester. The spring 2024 semester begins January 22, 2024 and the fall 2024 semester begins August 26, 2024.
J1 students are required to stay on campus during their studies. J1 students are NOT eligible to apply for the University Village Flats.
Watch our housing video for assistance:
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, including those who are staying at the University Village Flats, 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, 267 1917 West 24th Street Kearney, NE 68849 1-308-865-8246
Watch for Housing News
Leading up to the move-in date, be watching 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).
Students who will begin the Spring 2024 semester should arrive to campus between January 13-15. NISO will begin January 17.
Book Travel
Kearney has a regional airport with incoming flights from Denver and Chicago.
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 get to the bus station. The Grand Island bus station is at 3231 Ramada Road #1, Lincoln bus station is at 5250 Superior Street; Omaha bus station is located at 1601 Jackson Street.
When you arrive in Kearney, we will meet you at the airport or bus stop and take you to campus.
All international students are required to attend NISO. It covers immigration, employment, cross-cultural sessions, and academic information at UNK.
As you complete the registration, you will be asked for your arrival information so we can prepare to welcome you to campus.
Once you have completed all the requirements, we will contact you about REGISTERING FOR CLASSES.
We want you to be confident, prepared, and have a smooth transition to UNK. International students like you enrich our campus and we look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions, please contact our International Office at international@unk.edu or reach us with WhatsApp.
