Howard University Class of 2020!

@joyfuljoy I got my I-20 today as well. How long does the process take? What are the steps do you have to take? Also does your own say that you’re not proficient in English? Mine says that and I don’t know why. How will that affect me?

@JustinPon I am Canadian and English is my first and only language so it doesn’t say that I am not proficient in English. For me, it says that I have to first complete the I-901 online, print that out, and take it to a Western Union for example where i will pay the $200 SEVIS fee. After that, the people at the bank will somehow update my account saying that the mandatory fee was paid and I will also be able to verify that on the spot saying that it was updated. From my understanding, you cannot move forward with your I-20 till that document and fee is complete. Because Canada neighbours America, I will obtain my I-20 at the port of entry, so the border. In my sisters time, you fill out the required sections of the I-20 which has proof of your enrolment at the University in the document, and the officials at the Canada/America border will kinda question you to make sure everything is in check before actually issuing the I-20 and validating your passport/ study visa. I still have to clarify some things, but that is my understanding as of now.

that info was also for @Hopeful42020

@joyfuljoy Thanks!!! That was really helpful!!

@MezzoForte my d said at freshman summer orientation they were given a schedule based on your major. Then you were able to make changes and adjustments if needed, based on things like placement tests, AP scores, honors programs placements and of course a change of major.
But rest assured, the fight for classes, registration chaos and crashing of bison web all remain likely HU experiences after that helpful first step!

@partyof5
Are you a student at HU yet, or?

I see @joyfuljoy thanks so much for the info although I’m not sure when I’ll receive an I-20 or an official acceptance mail. By the way when will we have to pay the fees for the semester? Have any of you received info about that yet?

@PreDent101 I’m a parent of a student at HU

@cookiestar @PreDent101 @JustinPon and others…
RE: Scholarship Acceptance: My D is a returning student. She went in Bison Web yesterday and made sure she had met all requirements (i.e. FASFA was loaded, and accepted the Terms and Conditions). Her scholarship still says only OFFERED. There is not a means for her to accept yet.
In her case, she said it takes a while for returning students as they have to verify that you met the GPA requirement to keep your scholarship. However, she/we also think that as an entering freshman it was awhile before Bison Web allowed her to move from OFFERED to ACCEPTED.
Also, keep and eye on your package for this reason as well: Often you are offered the standard federal student loan. You need to go in an decline it when it is added to your package. Even with a full ride, it can be offered. Some take it to cover travel cost, spending money and additional book or fees not covered by the full ride. Some get it to use for summer study abroad. I am not sure, but I think you can get it later in the year even if you do not take it now IF you need it (of course as a parent I advise don’t get it unless you really need it!).

What the GPA requirement to stay k the scholarship and is it offered after freshmen year? @ReturningFavor

@ReturningFavor they gave me some money, but say I get satisfactory grades during the first year, do they have other internal scholarships? @partyof5
I can’t believe the only full rides they offer is for freshmen.

@PreDent101 I have not heard of any full rides internally from Howard being offered after students have matriculated. In fact, getting the full ride as an entering freshman is tough and keeping it (maintaining a 3.5 for Presidential) is not a piece of cake, even for the high performers who were given this gift. The reality is that Howard is cutting back. Fewer freshman scholarships were given this year and a full very large category was cut out (Legacy).

There are internal scholarships for upper classmen, but the competition is tough and the funds very limited from what my D knows. Her friends needing more money than Howard gave them after freshman year who do not want massive loans generally:

  1. Work…many get off campus jobs and work a lot in the summer
  2. Cut back…once in the Towers dorm (with kitchens), they drop the meal plan and try and save money shopping and cooking.
  3. Apply for an RA position (this is mentioned in another thread, as is #1 above). This is a dorm position that provides free room and board (or partial).
  4. Commute…move back home or in with family to stop paying dorm fees.
  5. Get outside scholarships. Companies big and small offer scholarships to non freshman. I remember her talking of a group of friends helping one of their friends film a video to get a scholarship from a major company.

There are department scholarships and scholarships for things like studying abroad. Apply early and try and shine. For all the parties at Howard, there are still many very, very dedicated and strong students and the competition really picks up as time goes on. I would have a plan B to the plan of getting scholarships after freshman year from Howard, just in case. @partyof5 may have some thoughts as well.

Can I just send my required documents together with my medical forms to the same address (HU Undergrad admissions office)? Sending to 2 addresses even if they are near is gonna cost double via DHL. That’s why is it possible?

@PreDent101 that’s the way it works at most schools. Many students get caught in the “dream” school web , when another school may have been a better financial fit. Other than a few national scholarships( coca cola, Gates, Stamps, etc) most outside scholarships are just for one year. Many students find themselves in a bind after freshman year. It is best to secure a freshman merit scholarship from the school as those are renewable for four years. The Legacy ( which is no longer offered) requires a 3.0 to renew, the capstone is 3.3, and I’m not site about founders and presidential.

There are some scholarships after freshman year but they are VERY competitive and honestly they are not a lot of money 1-2k. Each school at Howard has scholarship opportunities after freshman year you just have to seek them out. Some schools do a better job of advertising them than others. I caution you about thinking money will flow because of good grades. I know several kids who had to leave because they couldn’t afford it. Some of these kids could’ve gotten substantial money from other HBCUs but they insisted on Howard.

Should I be worried as an International student that I haven’t received my acceptance package yet ?

@JustinPon I strongly suggest that you send items to the exact addresses required, even if different ones. And make copies before you put them in the mail. @nelly2daworld do you mean offer of acceptance or financial aid package?

The offer of acceptance @ReturningFavor . Like is there something I should be signing or so?

@Nelly2daworld. You pay an enrollment fee once you are accepted if you are going to enroll. Generally at colleges it is due by May 1. Did you pay that fee? Other current students (entering freshmen) may know if there is more you need to do.

I don’t know what the heck is going on with Howard but they just offered my child the capstone but the amount is very small. It doesn’t give a definitive amount, it says up to a certain amount. No thanks.

@partyof5 Your Capstone offer may be a sign of the predictable yield problem. They would have been better off just offering full tuition only for Capstone and offer good financial aid to those who can’t afford the fees + room and board.