Summer - International Applicants

Information for International Students

May I apply for the 2025 Summer Program?

You may apply as an international student if:

  • You currently reside in the United States
  • You are enrolled in a SEVP certified postsecondary institution program on a F-1 or J-1 visa
  • You will not exit and reenter the United States from now through the first day of coursework at FLBS
  • You are an international student and reside outside of the United States; are not a U.S. citizen; and do not currently have a student F-1 or J-1 visa. Please complete the following steps and provide all the information required to get a student visa for the FLBS summer session.

If you meet these criteria, you must also determine your home institution visa policies before applying to FLBS:

  • F-1 visa students: contact your home institution's Designated School Official (DSO) about concurrent enrollment.
  • J-1 visa students: contact the Responsible Officer of the Program Sponsor institution listed on your current DS-2019 about transferring your SEVIS record to University of Montana.

How To Apply As An International Student

International students must take 6 or more credits to be enrolled in the FLBS summer session.
International applications must be completed by March 16, 2025.

Step 1 - Create Application & Account

International students must carry a minimum of 6 credits and may start on June 16 (first day of summer session) or July 14 (midway point of summer session). Email summersession@flbs.umt.edu to petition for alternative start dates or fewer than 6 credits.

Submit an online FLBS application and pay the nonrefundable application fee of $50.00. You may pay with a VISA, Mastercard or Discover credit card. FLBS also accepts payment via the Flywire international funds transfer service.

Step 2 - Application, Forms and Documents

Enter application personal information, course and lodging selections, and prerequisite information; complete and attach supporting forms and documents; pay application fee and submit the application.

Application forms and documents demonstrate student eligibility and prerequisite coursework and are used to evaluate students for acceptance to the program. As you complete the application, students must read and acknowledge informational content and upload additional forms and documents.

  1. Unofficial Academic Transcripts (with English translation)
  2. Verification Reports (Chinese students only)
  3. English Proficiency Form
  4. Unofficial English Language Test TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores (if required)

The last day to submit a complete application package is May 18, 2025. To ensure you have adequate time to complete a J-1 visa application, we encourage applying no later than April 6, 2025

Continue reading for more information on each form/document.

Unofficial Academic Transcripts (with English translation)

Upload unofficial transcripts for each postsecondary institution listed on your application. Transcripts from non-English speaking countries must be in the original language accompanied by an English translation. You may make the translation yourself. FLBS reserves the right to require further verification of all transcripts and academic records submitted by students.

Transcript Verification Reports (for Chinese foreign national applications)

All applicants who have completed education in China must have their official academic records verified by the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC) and/or the China Academic Degree and Graduate Information Center (CDGDC,) depending on the levels of education completed.

Verification reports may be emailed to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or uploaded (as a transcript) with your online application.

Select your level of education to view reporting requirements:

1. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT (成绩单)

This document is issued in Chinese by your school and lists the courses and grades from each semester of coursework. It should include the official seal of your school. Applicants who are in the process of completing or who have completed secondary school should:

  • Register with 中国高等教育学生信息网（CHESICC)
  • Obtain a verification report of the transcript (中等学校学生成绩验证报告) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue the verification report in English. Upload a copy of this report to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
2. CHINESE GRADUATION CERTIFICATE (中文毕业证书)

Applicants who have completed secondary school should:

  • Upload a legible photocopy of the original graduation certificate to your Flathead Lake Biological Station Summer Session Online Application.
  • Provide a copy of the document to CHESICC for verification in English. Request that CHESICC send a Secondary Education Qualification Report (中等教育学历验证报告). Upload a copy of this report to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.

点击这里请看中文说明

1. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT (中英文成绩单)

This is an official document issued in Chinese by the university listing the courses and grades for each semester of course work that you have completed. It should have the official seal of the school or educational office.

  • Register with 中国高等教育学生信息网（CHESICC)
  • Obtain a verification report of the transcript (高等成绩验证报告) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue the verification report in English and send directly to .
2. EVIDENCE OF UNIVERSITY RECORD (中英文学习证明)

This provides proof of your university registration and course of study.

  • Obtain an online verification report of student record (学籍在线验证报告) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue the verification report in English and send directly to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or upload (as a transcript) with your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
1. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT (中英文成绩单)

This is an official document issued in Chinese by the university listing the courses and grades for each semester of course work that you have completed. It should have the official seal of the school or educational office.

  • Register with 中国高等教育学生信息网（CHESICC)
  • Obtain a verification report of the transcript (高等成绩验证报告) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue the verification report in English and send directly to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or upload (as a transcript) with your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
2. RECORD OF HIGHER EDUCATION CREDENTIAL

This provides proof of your dates of university attendance, course of study, and graduation status.

  • Obtain an online verification report of the Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部学历证书电子注册备案表) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue this report in English and send directly to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or upload (as a transcript) with your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
3. GRADUATION CERTIFICATE (中文毕业证书)
  • Upload a legible photocopy of your original graduation certificate to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
  • Prepare a line-by-line English translation of the certificate. You can prepare the English translation yourself. Upload the translation document to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
1. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT (中英文成绩单)

This is an official document issued in Chinese by the university listing the courses and grades for each semester of course work that you have completed. It should have the official seal of the school or educational office.

  • Register with 中国高等教育学生信息网（CHESICC)
  • Obtain a verification report of the transcript (高等成绩验证报告) through CHESICC. Request that CHESICC issue the verification report in English and send directly to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or upload (as a transcript) with your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
2. BACHELOR'S DEGREE CERTIFICATE (中国学位证书)
  • Register with 学位网 China Qualification Verification (CDGDC) and apply for degree verification.
  • Obtain a verification report (中国学位认证) from CDGDC of the award of the bachelor's degree. Request that CDGDC send the report directly to summersession@flbs.umt.edu or upload (as a transcript) with your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
  • Upload a legible photocopy of your original Bachelor's Degree certificate to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application.
  • Upload a line-by-line English translation of the Bachelor's degree certificate to your Flathead Lake Bio Station summer application. You may prepare the translation yourself.
English Proficiency Form

Complete this form and upload to waive submitting official TOEFL PBT or IELTS English Language Test Score Results.

Unofficial English Language Test Score Results

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by uploading/submitting (self-reporting) unofficial TOEFL or IELTS test scores.

Step 3 - Acceptance / Visa Forms and Documents

A letter of acceptance (invitation to attend with courses listed) plus a billing statement will be emailed to students and posted to the student's online account.

  • Scholarship Materials are due April 6, 2025.
  • The deadline for payment of fees is May 18, 2025.

FLBS requires additional forms and documents to enroll you in courses and generate a request for the DS-2019 form required for your J-1 Visa application.

  1. Copy of Information Page of Valid Passport
  2. Certification of Financial Responsibility
  3. Sponsor Financial Statement(s) (1 per sponsor)
  4. Medical Requirements
  5. Medical History
  6. Official Immunization Record (optional)
  7. Scholarship Application Personal Statement (optional)
Copy of Information Page of Valid Passport

Upload a copy of the information page of your valid passport. Students must have a valid passport to enter the U.S. and must obey the immigration laws and regulations of the U.S.

Certificate of Financial Responsibility

Download, complete and upload this form. You must show sufficient funds to cover program tuition and fees, room and board, and other costs (books, supplies, sundries). Use our online calculator to estimate these costs.

Sponsor Financial Statement(s) (1 per sponsor)

Upload Sources of Funds documents from sponsors listed on your Certificate of Financial Responsibility. These might include Bank Statements (self-support, parents, individual sponsors); letter of award (your government or other sponsoring agency); or other support (signed affidavit from authorized person).

Medical Requirements

Download a Medical Requirements Form, complete page 1 student immunization information and page 2 Tuberculosis Screening information. Upload the completed, signed forms. If you have an official immunization record proving you received the immunizations listed on page 1, you may upload that document in lieu of the medical provider signature on page 1.

Medical History

Download, complete, and upload the signed form, which is provided to course instructor(s) for safety and first responder purposes. Instructors have wilderness first aid certification training in the event of a medical emergency in a remote area.

Official Immunization Record (optional)

Upload a legible copy of an Official Immunization Record document with English translations. You may make the translation yourself.

Scholarship Application Personal Statement (optional)

If applying for a scholarship, the personal statement may be uploaded to the application website.

J-1 Visa Instructions (Details)

The University of Montana’s Global Engagement Office (GEO) will help you with step 4 through step 10. FLBS will initiate the visa process with the UM GEO and you should expect to hear directly from GEO when they are ready to assist with your visa.

Step 4 - DS-2019 Request

You will attend the program as a college/university student in a J-1 Exchange Program sponsored by FLBS. You will need to apply for a J-1 visa to enter the U.S.

Email FLBS to confirm your attendance and initiate the FLBS request for issuance of the DS-2019 form from the University of Montana Global Engagement Office. This form permits a prospective exchange visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J-1 visa to enter the United States. You must present the DS-2019 form during your visa interview.

Step 5 - DS-2019 Transmission

You will be contacted by the University of Montana's Global Engagement Office to determine how the paper DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility will be transmitted to you. Electronic transmission of this form is not allowed. You may have the form shipped via ordinary international letter post or expedited shipment.

Ordinary international letter post: cheaper, not trackable, and may take 2 to 3 weeks.
Expedited shipment: faster, trackable, but requires an extra fee that you must pay. Student may use UEMS.

You must present this form to the U.S. Consular at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate office.

Step 6 - SEVIS I-901 Fee

When you receive the DS-2019 form, make sure the name on your passport is the same as the name on the DS-2019 form.

Go to the US Homeland Security website to pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee (~USD $220).

Save a copy of the I-901 fee payment receipt for your files as it must be shown to the U.S. consular officer.

Step 7 - Visa Application Form DS-160

Complete and submit an online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 at the U.S. Department of State website. You will need your SEVIS ID and the address of the school/program at which you intend to study, found on your DS-2019 form.

Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page.

Step 8 - Visa Interview

Locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to find specific local instructions for interview scheduling, documents to bring to the interview, visa application fees at that location, and other frequently asked questions. Schedule your interview as soon as you have all the required documentation.

Step 9 - Interview Tips

Review

10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa.

 

Step 10 - Visa Application Fee

Schedule your visa interview, gather documents to bring to the interview including a 2"x2" (~5cm x 5cm) photo, attend interview, and pay the visa application fee (~USD $160). After you receive your visa, proceed with prearrival tasks.

Prearrival Tasks, Travel Arrangements, and FLBS Arrival Instructions

Step 11 - Prearrival Tasks

  1. Obtain proof of health insurance policy in English that meets U.S. State Department 22 CFR 62.14 requirements for J-1 visa. The policy must cover you for sickness or accidents during your U.S. stay. You (and your dependents) are required to have insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits:
    • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
    • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
    • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
    • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
  2. Read the syllabus for each of your courses to learn about required and optional supplies, equipment and overnight gear.
  3. Read FLBS summer session checklists for items to pack for your trip to Montana
  4. Visit the U.S. Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website and read the Student Process Steps to learn how to navigate the U.S. Immigration System. Helpful hints and tips are listed below
    • Your passport is issued by your government and is your official international identification. Your passport must be valid at all times during your stay in this country. You should keep copies of your passport in your home country and in the U.S. When you travel inside the U.S., you must always carry your DS-2019 and passport. If you lose your passport, notify FLBS immediately and file an official report.
    • After you arrive in (or return to) the U.S., check that the information on your I-94 is correct. You can do this on the I-94 official website. The information should include: Entry Date, Visa Type, Length of Stay should be "D/S", meaning "Duration of Status." If any of the above information is incorrect or missing, contact UM's Global Engagement International Students and Scholars (ISS) office immediately. It is recommended that you print a copy of your most recent I-94 entry record.
    • The DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor [J-1] Status) is used to enter or re-enter the U.S..
    • You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the official program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. You must report to FLBS by the program start date. If you cannot enter the U.S. for the term listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019 or if you will be a few days late, email FLBS immediately.
    • If you plan to leave the U.S. temporarily, you must have your DS-2019 signed by a Responsible Officer (RO) at UM's ISS office. If you wish to extend your program or change sponsors, your DS-2019 must be replaced. Pay close attention to the program completion date indicated on your DS-2019. Your J-1 status will end on the program end date unless it is extended. You are required to make your request for an extension at least 2 weeks before the program end date to UM's Global Engagement Office. A J-1 Student is allowed to remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days after the program end date on the DS-2019 but once you exit the U.S. you cannot re-enter the U.S.
  5. Know your documents, make copies and secure them properly during travel to the U.S.. Before you leave for the U.S., it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of documents you might need. It is always a good idea to carry your original documents on your person at all times. Do NOT put them in your checked baggage. Note that when you arrive in the U.S. you will complete a customs declaration form and your luggage may be examined.

Step 12 - Missoula Travel Planning

Schedule your travel to arrive in Missoula, Montana, U.S. on:
Thursday, Jun 12 if your first course begins Jun 16, 2025;
;
Thursday, Jun 26 if your coursework begins Jun 30, 2025;
Thursday, Jul 10 if your coursework begins Jul 14, 2025.

Students should fly directly to Missoula International Airport (MSO), which is about 10 minutes travel time from main campus. For information about flying into Missoula, visit FlyMissoula.

Make a reservation for overnight lodging in Missoula in hotels within walking distance of campus where you will attend your welcome interview at the University of Montana Global Engagement Office on main campus. Here is short list of hotels and motels within walking distance of the campus and restaurants:

Plan to take a taxi from the airport to your overnight lodging in Missoula. Some hotels offer a free shuttle from the airport. There are also several taxi services available for you to choose from:

Step 13 - UM Arrival and Schedule

When you are in Missoula, complete the following items:

  • Attend your welcome interview at University of Montana Global Engagement Office. At your interview, present the following documents to validate your SEVIS record:
    • Passport picture page
    • J-1 visa with entry stamp
    • Signed DS-2019
    • I-94
    • Proof of health insurance
  • Visit Curry Health Center Pharmacy for any missing immunizations
  • If required, Curry can provide the QuantiFERON tuberculosis test (USD ~$96). This test is offered Monday-Thursday, and it must be scheduled in advance. Call the UMT Curry Health Center at 1-406-243-4330 to make the appointment

Step 14 - Travel to FLBS

FLBS is in a remote area. There are no on-demand taxi or transit options. Prior planning and reservations are essential to reach FLBS on time.

Schedule or confirm your travel arrangements from Missoula to the Flathead Lake Biological Station - 32125 Bio Station Ln, Polson, MT 59860. (See also Get to FLBS)

  • Plan to arrive at FLBS after 2 p.m. on the Sunday before your courses begin. (your courses may begin on June 15, June 29 or July 13).
  • You must arrive in time to attend orientation 6 p.m. Sunday night before your first scheduled course.
  • When you arrive, pick up your welcome packet with your cabin assignment and door code at the Elrod Building main office front doors, and move into your cabin.
  • More information about orientation and the Bio Station will be contained in your welcome packet.
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