If you applied for the 2014 Diversity Visa lottery, you can now check your status online. 

You may receive an e-mail from the U.S. government that reminds you to check your status through the DV Entrant Status Check, but the government will not e-mail you the results. Be suspicious of e-mails that claim you’ve won. Learn how to spot and report Diversity Visa lottery scams.

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EducationUSA, a Department of State website, has helpful information on the steps international undergraduate and graduate students should take to study in the U.S., including information about financial aid.

Learn more about financial aid for international graduate students.

Find out if you qualify and learn how to apply.

If you’re applying for the Diversity Visa Lottery, beware of scams. The State Department will never e-mail you or ask for money to apply.

Online registration for the 2014 Diversity Visa Lottery will begin on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and end on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4).

This congressionally mandated program makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas every year. Winners are randomly drawn from the people who enter and meet strict eligibility requirements. In order to be eligible, you must be from a country with low rates of immigration to the United States and meet the education or work experience requirements.

If you plan to apply, watch out for fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. government websites. Some companies posing as the U.S. government have sought money in order to “complete” DV entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. To learn more, see the Department of State warning.

Find out if you’re eligible to enter the Diversity Visa Lottery and learn how to apply.