Student Visa Information
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) assists all international students who have been accepted for full-time graduate study. Upon admission to the University international graduate students will be contacted by OISSS to verify that they have adequate financial resources to meet the costs of living and graduate study in the United States. Following this verification and a review of the graduate student's application for proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL or IELTS score), international students will be sent the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility. International graduate students will also receive instructions for filing a visa application, and general information to prepare them for study in the United States.
Finances
Financial aid for graduate study is very limited. Awards may made on the basis of academic achievement. Qualified International students may apply for departmental support. However, they are not eligible for federal and state government funds used to provide scholarships or loans. A graduate student must be prepared to make arrangements for all possible financial needs before leaving his or her country, and should not count on obtaining scholarships, fellowships, employment, or other financial assistance after arrival in the United States.
Tuition, insurance, and entrance fees must be paid in full at the time of registration or enrollment for the semester. A substantial late fee will be assessed if registration is not completed within the normal registration period. If government regulations require a certificate of enrollment, please request this letter at the earliest possible date.
English Proficiency
Johns Hopkins University requires graduate students to have English proficiency for their course of study. Graduate students must be able to read, speak, and write English fluently upon their arrival. Successful study demands understanding oral lectures and taking comprehensive notes during lectures. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of their proficiency in English before they can be offered admissions and before a visa certificate can be issued. Johns Hopkins prefers a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and for the IELTS a bandscore of 7. The Graduate Admissions Office requires original copies of all results.
TOEFL:www.ets.org/toefl/
IELTS: www.ielts.org
On Campus
Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS)
JHU Chinese Students Association (CSA)
Indian Graduate Students Association
Graduate Representative Organization (GRO)
Office of the Registrar
Student Accounts Office (Homewood)
Tax Office
Student Financial Services
Other Resources
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
U.S. Information Agency
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. Department of Justice
Electronic Embassy
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Internal Revenue Service
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (driver's licenses, car registrations)
Social Security Administration
Applying for a Social Security Card
Applications for social security cards can be obtained through the OISSS.
Please visit their office at 3103 North Charles Street for applications and instructions.
Income Tax Questions
Income tax questions can be directed to the JHU Tax Office
Income Tax Support - Lifetime Learning and Other Tax Credits
Life Time Learning Credit
Tax Benefits of Education (Publication 970)
Education Credits
Childcare Credit
Childcare Credit (IRS Tax Topic 602)
Child and Dependent Care Expenses (Publication 503) (pdf)
