Scholars

Scholar Application

The scholar application is an online request process involving both the department host and the incoming scholar. OIS has four different scholar applications in iStart.

  • New J-1 Scholar Application - For scholars outside the US and scholars transferring their J-1 to USF.

  • J-1 Other Sponsor Scholar Application – For Fulbright, IIE, or other US Government Agency sponsored visiting scholars.

  • J-1 Scholar Extension - For current USF scholars who need to stay longer than the current DS-2019 end date to complete their original program objective.

  • J-1 Student Intern – For international students currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree program at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States who are invited or accepted into a USF Academic Department internship.

The department should begin the online any scholar application three to six months prior to the planned start date at USF. This ensures that the scholar will have adequate time to apply for the visa and arrange travel. It can take 3-4 weeks for the department, scholar, and OIS to complete and process the application eforms.

OIS issues a DS-2019 within 10 business days of submission of a complete and correct online application. The scholar downloads and prints the DS-2019 from iStart.

Pre-application steps:

  1. USF department host discusses the visit with the scholar and determines the program objective and dates of the visit. They should also verify that the scholar’s academic credentials are appropriate to the program objective.

  2. The department host should read and agree to follow the Department Responsibilities.

  3. The department host sends the official invitation letter to the scholar by mail or email. This is NOT an offer of employment. This is a letter that outlines the program objective, goals, and dates of the visit. Here is a sample invitation letter.

  4. If the scholar agrees to the visit, then go to the Foreign Influence/Principal Screening webpage. Per , all scholars (including US government sponsored scholars) must be screened before OIS can process the application.
    1. If the scholar is offered a USF position, the department will follow the standard Foreign Influence process. The scholar is provided with an USF official offer letter and proof of completing Foreign Influence.
    2. If the scholar is not offered a USF position, the department will need to provide proof of Foreign Principle Screening during the first stage of the application.

5. Determine who the ‘department contact’ will be. This is the person who will be responsible for logging into iStart and going through the online scholar application process. It might be a department administrator or the host faculty

    1. Note: All scholar applications in the College of Engineering are required to be completed by Khoa Dinh .
    2. The department contact will . 911±¬ÁÏÍø suggest creating a bookmark in your browser for easy access.
      • If it is the first time the department contact has logged in, they will fill out the Department Access Request Form. It can take 1-2 days for approval.
      • Once we approve their access, the department can log in and begin the application process.

Please see Department Instructions page for details on completing the application process in iStart.