Inbound Exchange Students
Montclair State University is excited to welcome you as an inbound exchange student for the upcoming academic semester. Founded in 1908, Montclair State University is recognized as a premier research institution in the state of New Jersey. The campus sprawls over 252 acres in three different communities and is host to approximately 22,000 students each year.
As an inbound Red Hawk, you will not only join this lively community, but you will also get to benefit from many of our amenities. Whether it is our fourteen mile proximity to New York City with transportation located just steps from your student housing or the lively downtown scene of Montclair where there are live theaters, art museums, and galleries. Downtown is flush with restaurants, movie theaters, shops, and public parks that attract visitors from all over the region.
This community provides the grounding for the amazing opportunities that you will have while living at Montclair State University. The Office of International Academic Initiatives has a longstanding tradition of inviting students from around the globe to contribute to our local community and to leave with a greater sense of global belonging. Whether you are a student visiting for a semester from a partner school in the United States on National Student Exchange to a globe trotter flying fourteen hours across the globe, we welcome you with the utmost excitement as you join us here at Montclair State University.
Inbound Exchange Student Overview
What is an Inbound Exchange Student?
Inbound Exchange Students are those who come partnering universities for a semester or year long academic program. These students are enrolled temporarily at Montclair State University for a short term period and will return to their home university to complete their studies and graduate.
Inbound Exchange Students are students that are visiting on semester long or annual exchanges from partnering universities abroad, students who are participating in the National Student Exchange, and those in our Sister City Scholar program. They are not permanent residents of the area and will only live on campus for a pre-determined set of time and will not graduate from Montclair.
Inbound exchange students are not international students who will graduate from Montclair State University, those who are transferring to the university from a foreign institution to complete their studies, or international candidates on fellowships.
If you are one of these International Students and need assistance, please contact The Office of Global Engagement.
How do I apply to be an Inbound Exchange Student at Montclair?
Students who attend Montclair State University as Inbound Exchange Students are reviewed in a nomination process. Students who attend a university with an active exchange should contact their study abroad advisor to learn more about the nomination process and requirements. National Student Exchange (NSE) students are placed directly through the program.
Nominations from exchange partners should be sent to Jessica Epstein (epsteinj@montclair.edu), Coordinator for Semester Programs. Brooke Klinger (klingerb@montclair.edu), the Program Associate for Inbound Exchange and Campus Engagement will email nominated students the link to their application and assist them throughout the application process. Students should not fill out an application until they have received written confirmation from both their study abroad advisor and Brooke Klinger.
Nominations and Application Deadlines
Students from partner universities wishing to study at Montclair State University as an exchange/visiting student must be nominated by their home university and may apply for one semester or a full academic year. Graduate students taking graduate level courses are not being accepted for exchange at this time. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fall and spring semesters, but due to space constraints, there are limits to the number of exchange students from each university. Partner universities and students must follow these deadlines in order to ensure time to process course requests, campus housing, and to secure a visa.
Nomination Deadlines for Fall Semester or Academic Year (Fall+ Spring Semesters):
- Nomination by University for Fall Semester or Academic Year (Fall+ Spring Semesters):
- Due March 1st of each year.
- Application Completed by Student for Fall Semester or Academic Year (Fall + Spring Semesters):
- Due March 15th of each year.
Nomination Deadlines for Spring Semester or Academic Year (Spring + Fall Semesters):
- Nomination by University for Spring Semester or Academic Year (Spring + Fall Semesters):
- Due October 1st of each year.
- Application Completed by Student for Spring Semester or Academic Year (Spring + Fall Semesters):
- Due October 15th of each year.
Visa Type and Processes for International Inbound Exchange Students
Students must apply for and receive a J-1 Visa to be eligible to study in the USA. After acceptance as an international Exchange/Visiting Student, you will be asked to submit a DS-2019 Application/Affidavit and financial documents to demonstrate sufficient funding to cover programs cost and living expenses while in the USA. Proof of funding is required by the US government to be eligible to apply for a visa. Montclair will then issue form DS-2019 which confirms your acceptance into an Exchange Visitor Program. Further instructions are sent after acceptance.
The Office of Global Engagement will work with our students directly on the visa process and will reach out to students directly.
The Office of International Academic Initiatives is not permitted to assist with the visa process, rather, they assist on processes related to campus life, academics and course enrollment, and the exchange program experience.
Health Insurance
All Montclair students are required to have health insurance.The US State Department requires that all J-1 students must carry medical and accident insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements set by the Department of State. Not doing so is a violation of their status and can result in the termination of their SEVIS record. Montclair State requires that all J-1 students have medical and accident insurance coverage at all times.
Students will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the student health insurance for the duration of their program. There are waivers for students within the National Student Exchange that can provide proof of health insurance. International Exchange students are less successful in proving their health insurance is compliant per Department of State requirements, however, they can still attempt to submit a waiver.
Students can utilize off campus resources or the Student Health Center (SHC) which is an on campus comprehensive outpatient health care facility serving all Montclair students. SHC offers students both in-person appointments as well as Telehealth appointments. All Student Health Center services are confidential.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Unless Exempt, students must demonstrate English language proficiency with these scores:
- TOEFL iBT test minimum score: 70 (see www.toefl.org)
- Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (see www.ielts.org)
- English3 Placement Test minimum 55 (see English3)
- Duolingo test minimum: 95
Applicants who are citizens of the U.K., Canada, and Australia, and/or have studied four years in their home country in English are exempt from this requirement. Students from our National Student Exchange program are also exempt from this requirement.
As per University agreements, students from the following partner universities are also exempt from language exam requirements: University of Agder, University of Graz, Kristianstad University, and UniCollege.
Billing and Payments at Montclair State University
Exchange students will be required to pay for campus housing, health insurance, and a minimal on campus dining credit that will become live on the first day of the semester.
Students can make payments by international wire transfer or by credit card (fee applies). Minus required housing deposits, inbound students will need to wait until their tuition waivers have been implemented before beginning their payments to Montclair. Students will have the option to either pay at once or set up a payment plan. Students must have a zero balance on their account in order to receive their official transcript.
Most international students will opt to use PayMyTuition which allows payment by bank transfers, debit/credit cards in your home currency, eWallet payments and other local options.
Note: international refunds can be difficult to process payments are not made via credit card or without an American bank account per university policies. We recommend either opening an American account while here or using credit cards for transactions.
Orientation
Our mandatory orientation provides essential information about your visa, campus organizations/activities, academic requirements, adjusting to life in the US, and several other topics. It provides a great opportunity for you to meet other exchange or visiting students prior to the semester beginning.
For Fall exchange students, this aligns with our Red Hawk Day. This day celebrates the pride of being a Montclair student complete with free food, carnival rides, and games.