Our International Services team is here to support you before, during, and after your time at Ball State. Whether you are a newly admitted student, a current student, or a graduate of Ball State, International Services is happy to provide assistance.

Please read the information about each of our services carefully to ensure you receive the service you need.
PRE-ARRIVAL STUDENTS

Roadmap to Ball State

Level up through this "gamified" roadmap to help you navigate your way to Ball State following the admissions process. You must complete all of the objectives within each level to advance to the next one on the board as you learn to FLY.

Click below to access the roadmap or play your way through the interactive version.

Roadmap to BALL STATE (PDF)

Interactive Roadmap

Be sure to look out for checklist items to complete along the way, via your Cardinal Landing portal.

Information and resources to help you before you arrive on campus

After you are admitted to Ball State, you will be asked to submit the following information:

  1. A copy of your passport
  2. An intended visa category form
  3. Proof of finances for one academic year

All of these items will need to be uploaded via your Global BSU portal. You will use your Ball State username and password to log in. Please check your @bsu.edu email address for instructions on this process.

The Cardinal Landing portal is your primary resource for checking your application status and more. For all additional pre-arrival information, please login to your Cardinal Landing portal.

Cardinal Landing Portal

Students and scholars studying on a J visa are required by federal law to carry health insurance that meets certain minimums. For more information about these requirements, please click here. J visa students and scholars will be required to provide proof of adequate and ongoing insurance coverage to International Services.

Students on F (or other) visas do not have specific insurance requirements but are strongly recommended to carry health insurance as the United States does not have a nationalized health care system. Individuals and families in the United States are responsible for these costs themselves. If you need medical care and do not have health insurance, you may find yourself owing thousands of dollars. The health insurance system offers you protection against these costs.

Ball State University does not offer an international student health insurance plan. Students and scholars can choose their health insurance coverage.

Student Medicover

Student Medicover offers multiple options at various price points. More information about this plan, and enrollment options, can be found here*. 

STUDENT MEDICOVER ENROLLMENT GUIDE    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

*Ball State University makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or any other sites to which we link. Using and or visiting this site in no way serves as a referral here under.

information and resources to help you while you are on campus

Students and scholars studying on a J visa are required by federal law to carry health insurance that meets certain minimums. For more information about these requirements, please click here. J visa students and scholars will be required to provide proof of adequate and ongoing insurance coverage to International Services.

Students on F (or other) visas do not have specific insurance requirements but are strongly recommended to carry health insurance as the United States does not have a nationalized health care system. Individuals and families in the United States are responsible for these costs themselves. If you need medical care and do not have health insurance, you may find yourself owing thousands of dollars. The health insurance system offers you protection against these costs.

Ball State University does not offer an international student health insurance plan. Students and scholars can choose their health insurance coverage.

Student Medicover

Student Medicover offers multiple options at various price points. More information about this plan and enrollment options, can be found here*. 

STUDENT MEDICOVER ENROLLMENT GUIDE    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

*Ball State University makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or any other sites to which we link. Using and or visiting this site in no way serves as a referral here under.

 

To complete your US tax filing obligations, Ball State University has arranged for you to have access to Sprintax. Sprintax is used by over 200,000 international students, scholars, and nonresidents each year. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents, and check to determine if you are due a tax refund.  

To prepare your tax documents with Sprintax, simply:  

·         Register here Registration link: https://taxprep.sprintax.com/?utm_ref=ball-state-uni and follow the simple instructions   

·         Complete the online questionnaire   

·         Enter your unique code: BALLSU100F23 in the box on the ‘Review your order’ page   

·         Sprintax will then prepare your tax return.  

Finally, once you complete the preparation process in the Sprintax software, you must print, sign and mail your documents to the IRS. Some students will also have an opportunity to e-file their federal tax return. 

Please be sure to access the FREE tax webinars and resources on our website.

Sprintax Open Tax Webinars for Filing Season 2023

·         Thursday December 7th @ 2pm ET – Register here

·         Wednesday January 24th @ 3pm ET – Register here

·         Thursday February 8th @ 1pm ET – Register here

·         Tuesday February 20th @ 12pm ET – Register here

·         Tuesday March 5th @ 4pm ET – Register here

·         Wednesday March 20th @ 2pm ET – Register here

·         Wednesday March 27th @ 1pm ET – Register here

·         Thursday April 4th @ 3pm ET – Register here

·         Wednesday April 10th @ 12pm ET – Register here

·         Monday April 15th @ 1pm ET – Register here

If you have any tax-related questions, you must contact the Sprintax team. They will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat facility. You may also email them at hello@sprintax.com or call them at 1-866-601-5695.  

GlobalBSU is going to be your resource for many of the requests that you will make for International Services. Here's an overview of some of the functions of GlobalBSU:

  • Biographical Information: 
    • Update address
    • Dependent information
    • Emergency contact information
  • Letter Requests:
    • Social Security letter
    • Driver's License or Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) letter
    • Confirmation of enrollment
  • Work Authorizations:
    • Curricular Practical Training
    • Optional Practical Training
    • Permission to work
  • Other Requests:
    • Add dependent
    • Extend program
    • Reduced course load
    • Replacement I-20
    • Travel signature
    • Transfer out of Ball State

Use your Ball State username and password to log in to your GlobalBSU account.

Information and resources to help you after you graduate from Ball State


GlobalBSU will be your resource for post-graduation processes, including:

  • OPT Reporting
  • OPT Extensions (STEM)
 

GlobalBSU Portal

The GlobalBSU Portal is where you will provide the required information for us to create your I-20 or DS-2019, update biographical information, submit various letter requests, and more.

Access GlobalBSU

Cardinal Landing Portal

Be sure to check your Cardinal Landing portal regularly for pre-arrival information. You can also update checklist items that are required for you to continue on your journey to Ball State.

ACCESS Cardinal Landing