SIUE New Student Webinar

Introductions and Guidelines

Graduate and International Admissions Team

SIUE.EDU/ADMISSIONS/INTERNATIONAL

INTLADM@SIUE.EDU

International Student and Scholar Services

SIUE.EDU/ISSS

ISSS@SIUE.EDU

• Please use the Q&A feature to ask questions.

• A recording of this webinar will be made available.

Topics Covered in this Webinar

I. Current policies & important dates for Fall 2023

II. Tips for a successful visa interview

III. Cougar Commitment / late arrival requests & deferrals

IV. Housing, insurance & payments

V. Registering for classes

VI. The ISSS office & resources

VII. Arrival process & activities

VIII. Questions

Current Admissions Policies to Remember

Admitted students should inform us of your current visa status using the Cougar Commitment (available in your application self service center), and Pay the $199 matriculation fee to guarantee your enrollment in the Fall.

Upon arrival in the U.S.:

• Check in with the ISSS office immediately

• Bring official academic records and other required documents to the admissions office

Important Dates

• Secure your visa: August 1, 2023

• Arrive on campus: August 14-15, 2023

• Attend Orientation: Wednesday, August 16th, 2023

 Students unable to secure a visa and arrive in time for orientation may defer their admission to the next semester

• Begin classes: Monday, August 21st, 2023

New international students cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start of your program (July 17th, 2023).

New students should check-in virtually as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S.

Visa Process

• I-20s are issued electronically and accepted at all embassies; DS-2019s have been sent via express mail.

• Pay your I-901 fee and schedule your visa interview as soon as possible.

• Use the SEVIS number on the I-20 issued from the school where you intend to enroll. Do not use SIUE’s I-20 if you plan to enroll at another institution.

• You may request an expedited appointment based on the program start date, but SIUE does not issue expedited request letters.

• Embassies are adding appointment times, so check back frequently.

• Students unable to schedule an interview may request to defer your admission.

• Late arrival requests are not allowed for undergraduate students and must be approved through by admissions and the academic program for graduate students.

Visa Interview – What to Expect

Bring a printed copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 and any other documents such as your admission letter, scholarship/assistantship award, and financial statements. You will not have access to your phone or tablet!

Be yourself, be positive, and be prepared to demonstrate the following:

1. You are a serious student – know the school, your program, and how your studies fit with your career plans

2. You are able to support yourself financially while in the U.S.

3. You have ties to your home country, career opportunities there after you graduate, and plans to return after your studies.

Remember you are applying for a visa to study in the U.S., not for an immigration visa.

Additional resources and tips for a successful interview can be found on our website: SIUE.EDU/ADMISSIONS/INTERNATIONAL/VISA.

Cougar Commitment

What’s next? You have received an e-mail with a link to the Cougar Commitment (or Pledge).

Log in to your application self service center and utilize this application to guide you through the following steps:

1. Confirm your plans and your visa interview status

2. Activate your SIUE student ID

3. Pay the required matriculation fee

4. Prepare for course registration

5. Apply for housing

6. Complete your immunization form

7. Schedule airport transportation

8. Check-in virtually

Confirming Your Intention to Attend

Let us know you have chosen SIUE!

In the Cougar Commitment, you will be able to choose one of the following options:

1. My visa has been issued – enter date

2. I have a scheduled visa appointment – enter date

3. I am attempting to schedule a visa appointment – if no dates become available by August 1st, begin the deferral process.

4. I do not plan to attend SIUE – no action necessary, do not use SIUE I-20

5. My visa was denied – option to try again (defer) or upload a copy of denial, if requesting a refund of your paid matriculation fee.

Late Arrival Requests

Important! Students may only request a late arrival if they have a confirmed visa interview appointment.

• Late arrival requests will not be addressed until August 1st. All students should attempt to schedule their visa interview before this date.

• Send your request to intladm@siue.edu indicating the reason you need to arrive after August 15th. You must attach proof of your visa interview appointment.

• Students with visa appointments scheduled after the program start date on your I-20 (August 16th) will need to defer your admission to the next semester.

• Undergraduate students can only be approved for late arrival in an emergency.

• Graduate students can only be approved for late arrival (5-10 days maximum) at the discretion of the academic department – only some departments will allow this.

If approved, you will receive a late arrival letter to show upon arrival in the U.S.

Students attempting to arrive after the program start date on their I-20, who do not possess a late arrival letter, may be denied entry into the country.

Deferrals

Students who are unable to secure a visa in time to arrive for the Fall semester may request a deferral to the Spring semester.

• Send an e-mail to intladm@siue.edu indicating that you wish to defer your admission

• A new application with all the information pre-populated will be sent to you – no additional fee or supporting documents are required.

• You may defer automatically for one semester without a new application review. (*Some graduate programs with Fall only admissions require an additional review.)

• Updated financial documents may be required to update your I-20, but the same SEVIS number will be used, so keep any appointment you are able to schedule.

• GEO Awards will be honored, other scholarships and assistantships are not guaranteed.

If you paid a matriculation fee, it will also be deferred to the next semester.

Matriculation fees may be refunded upon request only if your visa is denied.

Refunds are processed in September for Fall, or January for Spring applicants.

Housing

Use the Cougar Commitment to link to the on-campus housing application, also found at SIUE.EDU/HOUSING

• First-year students under 20 years of age must live in on campus housing unless eligible for an exception (see residency requirement information on website).

• There is a $125 application fee/deposit required to reserve your unit

• On campus housing is near capacity – SIUE cannot guarantee housing for graduate or transfer students. Off campus options: https://offcampushousing.siue.edu/

• Students may begin moving in on Monday, August 14th. Early move-in options may be available for a small cost per day with prior approval only.

Immunizations and Health Insurance

All students must submit immunization records before classes start

• A link to the immunization history form is found in the Cougar Commitment

• All records not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation

• Students are encouraged to complete all immunizations before arriving in the U.S. –Health Services can provide immunizations, but it will be more expensive.

Students will automatically be enrolled in the university sponsored health insurance plan

• The cost of the insurance will be billed to your account.

• Students with acceptable health coverage can submit a waiver request, but the coverage must meet specific requirements.

• Additional information is available on the Health Services website:

Paying your Bill

Students pay their tuition, fees and other university related charges through the Bursar’s office: SIUE.EDU/PAYMYBILL

• Payments may be made in person at the bursar’s office by cash, check, or credit card; though a Flywire international transfer (fees apply); or by eCheck from a U.S. bank account.

• International students may make their first payment after arriving in the U.S. and setting up a bank account, but payment must be received and posted by September 8th – allow 4-6 days for Flywire payments to post.

• Students may pay in installments – 4 equal, monthly payments each semester.

Connecting with your Classmates

We have prepared an online community where you can connect with current SIUE students and other Fall 2023 admitted students.

• Chat online:

• with current students – campus life, student activities, Edwardsville area

• with incoming students – hobbies, interests, housing assignments

• with SIUE staff – general questions and support

• Add a photo and a biography.

• Make new friends to meet when you get here. Check your email for your invitation to join!

Registering for Classes

Once you have paid your matriculation fee, you are eligible to register. Registration is completed in Cougar Net – you must activate your E-ID and two holds need to be lifted:

 Bursar’s hold: You must agree to the agreement entitled “Student Responsibility for Payment of Educational Services” to remove the financial hold before you can register. You will be prompted to log into Cougar Net to complete this step.

 Advising hold: You must speak to an advisor to get the advising hold removed.

Undergraduate students:

You will be pre-registered for some courses; you can contact the Office of Academic Advising to set up a Zoom advising appointment to adjust your schedule: SIUE.EDU/OAA

Graduate students:

You will be advised by the graduate program director in your academic program: SIUE.EDU/GRADUATE-PROGRAM-DIRECTORS

Note: Current immigration guidelines allow students to take only one online class per semester toward their full course of study.

Selecting Your Courses

• Undergraduate students must take a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 18 credits.

• All first-year students are required to take a one credit First Semester Transition course.

• Make sure your advisor knows your planned field of study – although it is possible to change your major, it can result in additional course requirements.

• You can review a sample curriculum by choosing your program of study in the Undergraduate Catalog –SIUE.EDU/ACADEMICS

General Education Requirements

In the U.S. higher education system, students generally take only half of their courses in their chosen field of study.

Additional required coursework is known as “General Education” or in Illinois as the “Lincoln Program.”

Students must take:

• Foundations: Written and oral communication, logic, and quantitative literacy (i.e., math)

• Breadth Areas: Arts and humanities; life, physical and social sciences

• Experiences: Culture, health, laboratory and interdisciplinary studies

Good News! There are a great variety of general education classes, and you can choose classes that meet your interests (with some limitations).

Selecting Your Courses

• Graduate students work with the Graduate Program Director (GPD) or designated advisor from your department to choose courses for the first semester.

• Each department has different methods for advising and registering students before or during orientation week.

• You must work with the GPD or advisor to get your advising hold lifted.

• Graduate students may not change majors. To change your field of study, you would need to apply for admission to a different program for a future semester.

Find your GPD’s contact info at SIUE.EDU/GRADUATE-PROGRAM-DIRECTORS

The ISSS Office

• Arrival and orientation

• Immigration advising

• Programs to support international students

• International Student Success Series

• Immigration and employment workshops

• Cultural events, community building, field trips

• Student groups and volunteer opportunities

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Office of International Affairs Student Success Center 0300

isss@siue.edu

Arrival and Airport Pickup

International Student Orientation is mandatory and students must attend on Wednesday, August 16th.

• Plan to arrive on campus 1-2 days prior to orientation and check in with the ISSS office virtually when you arrive.

• Arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). If you need transportation to campus, complete the airport pick-up request form on the ISSS website: SIUE.EDU/ISSS/ARRIVAL

If you are living on campus, be sure to make university housing aware of your arrival date by emailing HOUSING@SIUE.EDU.

Online Orientation and Virtual Check-in

Complete the Online New Student Orientation Module: www.siue.edu/isss/arrival

Complete the Virtual Check-in process upon arrival in the U.S.: Access this through the Cougar Commitment in your application self service center.

You will need to upload the following documents:

1. Copy of Passport (photo page)

2. Copy of I-20 (signed by student)

3. Copy of current visa

4. Copy of I-94 (proof of entry into the U.S.)

5. Dependent documentation (if applicable)

You will also need to provide the following information:

• U.S. mailing address

• Emergency contact information

Orientation and Welcome Event

Orientation -- August 16th, 10:00am at the Morris University Center

• Lunch is provided

Welcome Event on the Quad -Immediately following orientation

• Enjoy refreshments and games with your new classmates!

Additional activities take place Thursday-Sunday.

Classes begin Monday, August 21st!

Don’t forget to join our Unibuddy community to connect with your future classmates!