Instructions

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Step 1 of 8

Student applies for admission, is admitted to Columbia College Chicago and makes the decision to attend.

Not yet applied? Select one of the following:

Columbia’s Online Application
Instructions
Go to Online Application

The Common Application
Instructions
Go to Common Application

Step 2 of 8

Student contacts a Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student Office at his/her current school. Student requests the DSO to "release" him/her for transfer to Columbia College Chicago within 60 days after completion of studies or completion of OPT.

Step 3 of 8

The DSO at the current school enters a transfer "release date" into the SEVIS database. (The transfer "release date" can be the ending date of the student's program of study, or up to 60 days later. In some circumstances, the "release date" can be before the ending date of the student's program of study.)

Step 4 of 8

Student and the DSO at the current school complete Columbia College Chicago's Immigration Pre-Transfer Verification Form. The form is sent to Columbia College Chicago's Office of Undergraduate Admissions by mail or fax. This document informs Columbia of the student's current immigration status.

Immigration Pre-Transfer Verification Form

Step 5 of 8

Columbia's DSO verifies the student's admission status and financial documentation and then issues a new I-20 for the student. It becomes possible for Columbia to issue the new I-20 on or after the transfer "release date."

Financial Documentation Guide (optional)

Step 6 of 8

Student is expected to begin attending Columbia within five months of completion of studies at the old school or transfer release date, whichever is earlier. (Students who are on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) should begin classes at Columbia within five months of the date the OPT authorization ends or the transfer release date, whichever is earlier.)

Step 7 of 8

Student contacts Columbia's OISA by calling 312-369-3281 or e-mailing gposejpal@colum.edu within the first week of class to set up an appointment to complete the transfer procedure.

Step 8 of 8

Columbia's DSO will then notify the immigration service through the SEVIS database that the transfer is complete.