FAQs & Terms to Know

What's the weather like in Omaha?

Nebraskans say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute - it changes quickly. Sunny, 14 C days can occur in January, while snow can fall in April. That said, the region experiences four distinct seasons. Average daily high temperatures are:

The area is neither arid nor overly wet, with rain typically totaling 100 mm per month in the spring. Other seasons are drier, and snow typically blankets the ground several times each winter.

What is the status of my application?

When you apply, you are sent instructions to log into mavlink. Please use your new NU ID and the password that you created during the application process to log in. There will be a checklist to show you the status of your application.

When will you send my I-20?

After we have received all the required documents and you are admitted, we will issue your I-20 within 48 hours. We will notify you by e-mail when we have sent the I-20. The arrival of your I-20 will vary depending on your geographic location. If you would like to purchase Express Mail for $45, your I-20 will arrive in four to five days.

Has UNO received my documents?

If you are shipping your documents internationally, you should allow four to six weeks for delivery. Our advisors will e-mail you when they receive your file.

Who can apply for scholarships and when are they due?

All new F-1 or J-1 visa applicants with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply for a scholarship. We will accept applications until the first day of the semester. Read more in Scholarships & Funding.

When will my scholarship application be reviewed?

Undergraduate scholarship applications are reviewed only after a student has been provisionally or completely admitted to a program. Graduate scholarship applications are reviewed when we refer the student’s UNO application to Graduate Studies. Read more in Scholarships & Funding.

Can I be exempt from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?

Certain exemptions do exist for students from certain approved English-speaking countries. Contact Your Advisor to determine whether you would be eligible for a proof of English proficiency waiver. If you do not qualify for a waiver, consider ILUNO Intensive English.

Do I have to submit financial documents if I am applying for a scholarship?

Yes. Scholarships are granted on a competitive basis and will not be awarded to every student who applies. Also, scholarships do not cover the entire cost of any undergraduate or graduate program. Read more about Costs at UNO.

ACT: American College Test, an assessment exam used for admission. UNO does not require this exam for international students for admission purposes. UNO does accept ACT English section results as an alternative to the TOEFL.

Advantage Track UNO: Also known as AT UNO, this is a program within UNO’s Intensive English program, ILUN, accepted as an alternative to the TOEFL for some UNO colleges and programs.

AT UNO: Advantage Track UNO, see above.

Conditional Admission: This is provisional admission to an undergraduate major. Students conditionally admitted have applied to ILUNO to work on their English proficiency skills.

Dual Admission: Full admission to ILUNO and conditional admission to an undergraduate major. Students with an F-1 visa will receive an I-20 for their major with the notation that English proficiency is required prior to enrollment in undergraduate classes. Students with a J-1 visa will receive a DS-2019 for their major with the notation that English proficiency is required prior to enrollment in undergraduate classes. 

Exchange Student: A student whose home institution is either a member of an exchange organization in which UNO is a member or an agreement specifically with UNO to send students between the institutions for purposes of educational and cultural exchange and enrichment. Please see the International Office at your home institution to find out if you qualify.

F-1 Student Visa: A visa type for students who plan to study in the United States, but not permanently immigrate. Specific documentation is required as part of the visa interview process. You are required to demonstrate your ability to pay any tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Form DS-2019: An immigration document issued to J-1 visa holders and applicants. Applicants use this document as part of their visa application process. Current students use this for travel and other J-1 visa benefits. In order to receive this document, a J-1 transfer student or initial applicant must demonstrate their ability to pay any tuition, fees, and living expenses not covered by the exchange agreement or included in the government sponsorship.

Form I-20: An immigration document issued to F-1 student visa holders and applicants. Applicants use this document as part of their visa application process. Current students use this for travel and other F-1 visa benefits. In order to receive this document, F-1 transfer students or initial applicant must demonstrate their ability to pay any tuition, fees and, living expenses.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System, an English proficiency exam developed by Cambridge University in Great Britain. It is accepted as an alternative to the TOEFL at some U.S. colleges and universities.

ILUNO: UNO’s Intensive English program, one of the oldest and most-respected in the Central United States. The program offers six levels of instruction with core classes in conversation, grammar, listening, pronunciation, reading, vocabulary, and culture. Beginning students learn day-to-day communication skills. Intermediate and advanced students customize their program by selecting from a wide variety of classes in TOEFL preparation, communicative competency, North American culture, and academic preparation. ILUNO students spend 21 hours per week in class with additional time in the multimedia laboratory where they work with computers.

ILUNO Completion: Students whose native language is not English may apply to enroll in UNO’s Intensive English program, ILUNO. Students who are admissable to UNO and successfully complete the AT UNO program are eligible for full-time UNO admission in all undergraduate programs except English, engineering, and education.  Please be sure to check the Proof of English Proficiency table to be sure that the college in your major allows ILUNO completion.

J-1 Student Visa: A visa type for exchange or government-sponsored students who plan to study in the United States but not permanently immigrate. Specific documentation is required as part of the visa interview process. You are required to demonstrate your ability to pay any tuition, fees and, living expenses not covered by the exchange agreement or included in the government sponsorship.

Official Transcript: A list of all courses with the grades or marks achieved at one school that has been certified as a true document in one of the following ways: Photocopied by the EducationUSA Office with the office’s stamp, sealed in an envelope of the office, and remains sealed until it is received at UNO. Photocopied by the Fulbright Commission Office with the Fulbright’s stamp, sealed in an envelope of the office, and remains sealed until it is received at UNO. Printed or photocopied by the actual school with the appropriate school stamp, sealed in an envelope of the school, and remains sealed until it is received at UNO. Photocopied by the Ministry of Education with the ministry’s stamp, sealed in an envelope of the ministry, and remains sealed until it is received at UNO.

PTE: Pearson Test of English. PTE Academic is a new international computer-based English language test, delivering real-life measures of language ability to universities, higher education institutions, government departments, and other organizations requiring academic-level English. The new test will accurately measure the listening, reading, speaking, and writing ability of candidates who are non-native speakers of English and who want to study at institutions where English is the principal language of instruction.

SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test, an assessment exam used for admission at many colleges and universities. UNO does not require this exam for international students. UNO does accept it as an alternative to the TOEFL.

Sponsor: A person or company who agrees to pay expenses on behalf of a student.

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language, an English proficiency exam developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. It is preferred by most U.S. colleges and universities.