Study in the U.S.

Applying for an F-1 Student Visa 

When you have been accepted by a US college or university, have received your I-20 form and have secured the necessary funding for your studies, you are ready to apply for a student visa.  You cannot apply for your visa more than 120 days and cannot enter the US more than 30 days before 1st date of classes stated on your I-20 form.

Education Services - Fee

1. You first must pay a SEVIS fee of US$200 using an international credit card online at www.fmjfee.com using the online form. 
   
2. Someone else can also pay this fee for you and fax or mail you the receipt. Some colleges and universities are paying SEVIS fees for their applicants and billing the students when they arrive on campus.  Ask your school for their SEVIS fee policy if you are having difficulty paying yours.
3. To pay for your visa fee of US$131, you need to have made an online application and schedule an appointment first. You need to go to the U.S. Embassy website (http://harare.usembassy.gov). Click the "Visas" tab on the top menu bar, then "Online Visa Application" in the Important Links box on the right. 
   
4. At your scheduled time and day, go to the Embassy, located at 172 H. Chitepo Avenue with the following documents organized and ready to show the Consular Officer:
   
   1. Completed visa application form and any supplementary forms that the bank has given you.SEVIS fee receipt
   
   2. Computerized SEVIS 1-20 form sent to you from the college or university (NB: all details on the I-20 must be correct, must match your passport, and the first day of classes must not have passed.) 
   
   3. Letter of acceptance from the college or university.
   
   4. Proof of finances for your entire period of study and proof of availability of funds for first year.  Such proof can include recent bank statements, a letter from your sponsor or scholarship source, a letter from the school stating your financial aid or scholarship offer..  Bring as much and as current proof of funding as possible.  Proof of finances must be in foreign currency from an off-shore account.
   
   5. Originals of your academic qualifications: "O" level and "A" level certificates for undergraduates, diplomas or university degrees for graduate students.
   
   6. One front-facing photograph, either black and white or color, 50mm by 50mm.  (Note: Do not use photobooths as they do not produce clear photographs.)  The Embassy recommends Focal Point Travel plaza as a reputable passport photographer.
   
   7. Your current passport  which must be valid for another calendar year.
   
   8. If available and relevant, copies of your score reports from your SAT,GRE,GMAT and/or TOEFL or other standardized American entrance examinations.

Be prepared to be interviewed briefly on the spot by the Consular Officer before your visa is processed.  The Consular Officer will need to ascertain that you are a serious student.  She wants to know about your plans for study, how and why you chose your college/university, the appropriateness of your qualifications to attend that school, what degree and field of study you plan to pursue, and how you will use your degree once you return to Zimbabwe.  You will need to establish Zimbabwe as your country of permanent future residence by demonstrating your ties to family and work in Zimbabwe, as a student visa is only intended for your period of study and does not permit you to seek employment in the United States.  Note that being accepted to a college or university is in no way a guarantee of being granted a visa.

In addition to USEAC membership, we offer the following products and services on a fee-paying basis:
Intro Group Advising Sessions: Free  Handouts: Graduate/Undergraduates (TBA)
Pre-Departure Orientation Package: (TBA)
Undergraduate  - July 16, 2009
Graduate students  - July 8, 2009
Certification of Documents: (TBA) 
Mock SAT I Examinations (TBA)
 
The U. S. Academic Explorer is a multi-media CD-ROM computer program produced by the United States Information Agency (Wash, DC) for use by international students.

Informational Guides:                       
If You Want to Study in the United States 
I. Undergraduate
II. Graduate and Professional Study and Research
III. Short-term Study, Distance Education and Accreditation
IV. Getting Ready To Go

NAFSA's International Student Handbook (Amount TBA)
This book includes essential information on the application, financial aid, planning and orientation processes for undergraduate and graduate US study.

SAT/GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/ACT Study Guides, some including CD-ROMs and cassette tapes are available as follows:

Master the SAT 2009 - $25
Master the GMAT 2005 edition - $25
Master the GMAT 2009 edition - $25
GED Mathematics 2nd edition  - $12
SAT II Subjects :      Physics    -  $20
                           Math I & II    -  $20

*These prices are all subject to change without notice. Before paying, please be sure you understand the service being offered. This office does not offer scholarships, nor do we guarantee anyone admission to a university or college.

Introductory Group Advising Sessions

Introductory group advising seminars regarding U.S. study are held weekly on Wednesday afternoons at 3pm in Harare and the monthly at the Bulawayo Public Library.  These sessions include a video, presentation, question and answer period and book.  All first time visitors are required  to attend a group session before joining the US Educational Advising Center. 

US Educational Advising Center 

In May 2001, the US Embassy's Public Affairs Section launched the USEAC in order to provide more comprehensive services to serious Zimbabwean students seeking to further their education in the United States.  The USEAC is a membership-based center, that works closely and personally with its members to ensure that they are successful in identifying appropriate colleges and universities, completing the application requirements for those universities and financing their education.  

Member services and resources comprise the following:
1. Individual Advising with trained Educational Advisors
2. Internet and Email Access for Admissions and College Selection Purposes
3. Educational Reference Book and Software Collection
 
·   College and University Video Library
·   Test preparation reference library, software and practice tests, lending library and bookstoreMock SAT examinations at discount
·   Workshops and seminars on application and standardized test preparation as well as guest speakers from US colleges and universities
· Individual admissions file kept at center with advising tailored to your qualifications, interests and needs
                 10% discount on bookstore purchases
                 Pre-Departure Orientation Program 

USEAC Membership Criteria
In order to become a member of the USEAC, a student must submit the following:
1. Completed application form
2. 2 driver license size photographs
3. photocopy of academic certificate showing 5 "O" levels including English, math and science (undergrad) or university transcript showing 2.2 or higher pass (graduate)
4. Annual membership fee is US$40

Eligibility For College And University Admission

Undergraduate Study

Colleges and universities in the United States vary considerably in their admissions standards and requirements.  To be considered for membership into the USEAC and for a student visa, a student must have a minimum of 5 ‘O’ level passes of a “C” or higher, including English and mathematics, a science and a social science subject. Most four year colleges and universities also require Zimbabweans to take either the SAT I or ACT standardized tests.  Highly selective schools and applications for scholarships require excellent "O" and "A" level passes and sometimes SAT II exams as well.

Graduate Study

The applicant must be in possession of a Bachelor's Degree in good standing (i.e. 1.0 or 2.1 degree classification) from a recognized local or overseas university.  The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) are requirements for admission to a graduate program, as are letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose and research interests.

English Proficiency

Most institutions require students whose native language is not English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in order to prove that their academic, spoken and written English is proficient to succeed at the university level in America.

Financing your education

The average cost of an academic year in the USA  including tuition, fees and living expenses varies from US$10,000 to US$35,000 per year. This figure does not include air transportation from Zimbabwe to the U.S. institution. Substantial financial assistance for undergraduates is very difficult to obtain. Students without their own finances must have excellent academic records at "O" and "A" level or be nationally-ranked athletes in order to compete for the few available scholarships from colleges and universities.

Foreign students are allowed to work 10 - 20 hours per week for the college/university they are attending to earn pocket money.  Estimated earnings for one academic year would be ~U.S.$1500 - $3000.  Foreign students cannot apply to work off-campus except for rare special circumstances. 

Scholarships And Financial Aid

International students should initiate planning for U.S. study at least 12-18 months in advance of their intended enrollment.  Advanced planning is more critical when financial assistance is required.