WELCOME GUIDE 2020-2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHECKLIST We are excited you chose to be a Billiken and look forward to welcoming you to our campus Please make sure you have completed everything on this checklist before you leave home. community. To help you have a smooth transition, we have collected important information and Visa and Passport recommendations for you to review as you prepare for your studies in the US. We encourage you to ToobtainyourF-1studentvisa,youmustreceiveyourI-20;paytheSEVISI-901fee;confirmthatyour read each section carefully and reach out to us if you have any questions. passport will not expire within six months of your expected entry date to the US; and schedule a visa application interview at a US Embassy or Consulate. An overview of the visa application process can be found on page 4. Visit a Doctor Getting your Medical Book Travel What to pack YoumustprovideproofoftherequiredimmunizationsneededtotheStudentHealthCenterstaffbythefirstday student visa Information of classes each semester. Bring your original records with you to the US. For a full list of what you need, see pages 6 and 7. Book Travel 4 6 8 9 Find suggested airports and temporary accommodation information on page 8. Arriving in Airport Transfer Housing Orientation Find Housing the US Service and Dining Reviewyouroptionsforon-campushousingonpage12andconfirmhousingarrangementspriortoarrivingin the US. Secure Your Documents 10 11 12 14 In order to register for your classes, you will need to bring your original transcripts – stamped and sealed in an envelope in your native language along with English translations. Review a full list of what you will need to bring on page 9. Campus Safety on Campus Money Transportation Resources and Banking Travel and Arrival Details Sendusyourtravelitineraryandflightarrivaldetailssowecanscheduleyourairporttransferfromtheairportto youraccommodation.Confirmyourtraveldetailsatwww.INTOarrivals.com/slu. Find more information on page 10 15 16 18 19 and 11. Check Your Finances BringenoughUScurrencyforthefirstfewweeksandfindouthowyouwilltransfermoneyfromyourhome Contact Frequently Campus Map country to a US bank account. For more information, see page 18. Information Asked Questions Follow INTO SLU on Social Media Learn more about INTO SLU by following us on all our social media channels, refer to page 20 of this 20 21 22 guidetofindouthowtoconnectwithus. Parents’ guide to studying abroad 2 Table of Contents | Saint Louis University 2020-2021 Learn about all the ways we’ll support your student at www.intostudy.com/parents GETTING YOUR STUDENT VISA As an international student, you are required to have a visa that permits study in the US. Below, Questions about Visas? Contact a SLU International Student Advisor at: we provide you with information about applying for an F-1 visa, which is a student visa and will [email protected] or +1 314 977 2318 allow you to study at a US university. You will need to schedule an appointment to apply for this For information about traveling to the US: studyinthestates.dhs.gov visa at a US Embassy or Consulate in your country and complete a visa interview. For information about SEVIS I-901 fee: ice.gov/sevis/i901 Get additional support with PASS: Pre-Arrival Support Service INTO SLU offers you PASS, a pre-arrival service which helps students have a better understanding of the 4 Schedule your Visa Appointment Transferring from Another US School visa application process. Take advantage of this free service and connect with a PASS Specialist by emailing To schedule your appointment, go to the US Embassy If you are transferring from another school in the US and [email protected] to set up a welcome call and get helpful support. and Consulate webpage: www.usembassy.gov. Find the you already have an F-1 visa you must complete the location where you want to have an appointment, and F-1 Students Transfer Eligibility form at least 15 days followthespecificinstructionsforscheduling. before the start date of your program. If you plan to travel Steps to getting your F-1 Student Visa outside of the US before beginning your program at SLU, 5 Prepare for Your Interview Please ensure you follow the instructions from the US Department of State, the below is for general guidance. please contact SLU to obtain an I-20 for re-entry. Gather required documents • Passport – ensure that your passport is valid for at Visa Delays 1 Obtain the Form I-20 from the University 3 Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the US If you are unable to obtain a visa before the start date With your confirmation package, you should have Application, Form DS-160 (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). for which you have been admitted contact INTO SLU received the form I-20. Carefully read the instructions After paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, you must complete • Form DS-160 confirmation page and bar code page immediately. You may defer and apply your deposit included with the I-20 before visiting the US Embassy or the online visa application, form DS-160. When you toward the tuition for the next semester. Consulate for your F-1 student visa. Keep this document have completed and have submitted the application, • Application Fee (I-901 fee) payment receipt in a safe place because you will need to bring the original print the DS-160 bar code page and confirmation page. • Photo – bring a hard copy of the photo you used for signed form for your visa interview. Please note you will need to upload a photo during your DS-160 application form. this process, so ensure that you have one ready that • Form I-20 issued to you by Saint Louis University 2 Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee meets requirements. • Proof of funding documents that you used during The I-901 fee is required to get the F-1 visa. At least Check photo requirements: your confirmation three business days before you schedule your visa travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us- • Additional documents: Please see additional interview, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee by going to the visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html documents that are required or recommended on the It is always important you check for any SEVIS I-901 fee website at www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/ Travel.State.Gov website at the top of this page. updates and specific requirements online at the index.html. You must follow the instructions to pay the Learn more about completing the DS-160: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/ • Check with Embassy or Consulate where you will be US Embassy or Consulate near you: SEVIS fee and print the receipt. This fee is not the visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160- applying to see if there are additional requirements. www.usembassy.gov and follow the instructions same as the visa application fee. You will need your 160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html from the US Department of State: SEVIS ID number when you pay the fee. It can be found Schedule a PASS welcome call travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/ on the top right-hand side of your I-20. You will also • While this is not required, it is strongly recommended us-visas/study/student-visa.html need the university school code, which is below: to have this call prior to your visa interview. Please SLU F-1 school code: KAN214f10192000 email [email protected] to set up a welcome call and get helpful support. 4 Student Visa | Saint Louis University 2020-2021 Welcome Guide | Student Visa 5 MEDICAL INFORMATION Immunizations Immunization form Saint Louis University requires all full-time and part-time students to submit the following immunization records Student Health Center Marchetti Towers East with approved English translations to the Student 3518 Laclede Avenue St. Louis, MO 63103 P: 314-977-2323 F: 314-977-7165 Health Center: [email protected] http://www.slu.edu/student-health-center • Tetnus, diptheria, and pertussis (TDaP) HEALTH HISTORY AND IMMUNIZATION RECORD Please Print • Measles (MMR) STUDENT NAME BANNER ID • Hepatitis B PERMANENT ADDRESS DATE OF BIRTH CITY, STATE, ZIP SEX • Menigitis (meningococcal) PHONE INTENDED MAJOR IF KNOWN • Varicella INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Please read the University’s Immunization Policy, which is summarized on the back of • Tuberculosis Test this document (pages 7 and 8). 2. Complete the form as directed. Please note that the Immunization History should be completed by the health care provider, and signed by a physician. A licensed healthcare provider needs to fully complete 3. Competed forms must be returned by: August 1 for Fall Semester December 1 for Spring Semester and sign the required immunization form: May 1 for Summer Semester www.slu.edu/life-at-slu/student-health/ AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF IMMUNIZATION DATA* I authorize Saint Louis University to release this immunization record to public health authorities Student Wellness required-records-forms.php for compliance audits and/ or in the event of a health or safety emergency, and to health care Health Insurance providers and institutions to which I may be assigned during my educational experience if I choose a health professions related major. SLU requires all students to maintain a health Whether it is a sore throat or feeling stressed and worn Return the completed required immunization STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE insurance plan. INTO SLU students are down, the Student Health Center in Marchetti Tower form directly to Saint Louis University’s Student *Please note that this authorization is for the immunization record only. automatically enrolled in the Aetna Student Health East is here to help you. We are trained professionals Health Center: 1 plan: www.aetnastudenthealth.com committed to providing quality care to Saint Louis Marchetti Tower East You may waive the University Health Plan coverage University students. 3518 Laclede Ave. only if you are already actively covered by another St.