Greetings from International Programs!  

The Office of International Programs assists all international students and scholars with visa and immigration matters as well as adjusting to life at Fairfield.

Our office is located in Barone Campus Center: Room 100, and we are open Monday through Friday with walk-in hours 1pm-4pm daily. You can contact us at international@fairfield.edu.

We are thrilled about your acceptance to Fairfield and are looking forward to assisting you as you prepare for your arrival on campus!

In this welcome packet, you will find the following documents:

· Form I-20 or DS-2019

· Admission letter

· Information about applying for a US visa

· Information about financial obligations and payments

· Information about international student health care

· Medical report form

· CISI insurance policy

· Campus map

· GRE waiver letter (Indian students only)

· Exchange visitor information (J-1 students/scholars only)

Please read all of this information carefully!

Important Dates:

· Monday, July 27^th 2015: Earliest date you can enter the U.S. as a student

· Wednesday, August 26^th, 2015: On-Campus Move-in Day. You CANNOT arrive after this date!

· Friday, August 28^th 2015: Mandatory New International Student Orientation and Registration

· Tuesday, September 1^st 2015: Classes begin

Again, you cannot arrive any later than your I-20/DS-2019 program start date.

If you have any questions or scheduling conflicts, e-mail international@fairfield.edu as soon as possible.

Medical Report Form and Insurance:

The medical form is an essential and must be completed before your arrival. Please refer to the document title “Immunization Requirement” for further information. Visiting your doctor at home will be much cheaper than doing it in the US, where immunizations can cost hundreds of dollars. You will not be able to live on campus or register your classes without this completed form. All international students on a student visa must also enroll in the 12 months University’s insurance plan; see the CISI policy sheet for more information.

Getting a US Visa:

Before your visa appointment, you must pay a SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.FMJfee.com. Make sure you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your passport. 

Afterwards, schedule a visa interview with the US Consulate or Embassy. This interview will be conducted in English. Before the interview, complete Form DS-160 (Google “DS-160” for the form).

Be sure to bring all your documents to the interview: Form I-20 or DS-2019, passport, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, Form DS-160, letter of admission, academic records and test scores if you’re a student or a resume if you’re a

scholar; financial documents, GRE waiver letter (if applicable), and proof of compelling ties (what will prevent you from permanently moving to the US: family, property, previous US travel, etc.) to your home country.

Airport Pick-Ups:

We will arrange for pickups from JFK and LGA airports on Wednesday, August 26^th from 9am-1pm.  Plan your flight accordingly and email international@fairfield.edu with your full name, Fairfield ID number, flight information, and airport after your flight is booked. We will contact you in August to confirm your pickup time and location.   

Finding Housing:

Undergraduate Students: In your letter of admission to Fairfield University, you were informed about an undergraduate student checklist. Please, complete the checklist action item regarding student housing. If you experience any issues, please email residencelife@fairfield.edu. 

Graduate Students and Scholars: Fairfield University is working hard to help all graduate students find housing in the Fairfield, Connecticut area. On-campus housing is not available to graduate students at this time. We suggest you begin the process of securing housing before you arrive here at Fairfield University. We have developed a resource for graduate housing online at http://fairfield.edu/gradstudenthousing.

Mandatory International Student Orientation:

All students must attend New International Student Orientation on Friday, August 28^th.  More details about the time and location will be sent closer to the date. This is an important review of your immigration benefits and responsibilities that is different from any other on-campus Orientation, and attendance is mandatory. We also will be distributing and collecting important paperwork at this time, and Registration for graduate students will follow after. Be sure to bring your passport and a pen. 

Claiming Your Net ID:

Please have the following information available

-First name

-Last name

-Date of birth

-Fairfield University Student ID number

-The first five characters of your zip code or postal code on record with the University

• If the first five characters of the zip code or postal code entered is not accepted by the system, then enter five zeros “00000”
• If entering five zeros "00000" doesn't work please contact the ITS4U Help Desk

To contact ITS send an email to itshelpdesk@fairfield.edu or call 1-203-254-4069

Housing:

Residence Life will contact undergraduate students via their Fairfield e-mail account to confirm their rooming assignment; no applications are necessary. Contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@fairfield.edu for further assistance.

Graduate Student Holds:

All graduate students must clear their holds (anything that is missing from their application) in order to register for classes. E-mail Graduate Admissions at gradadmis@fairfield.edu with any missing transcripts, test scores, etc. as soon as possible.

Feel free to e-mail international@fairfield.edu if you have any questions.

Phone: +1 (203) 254-4110

Fax: +1 (203) 254-5565

Web: www.fairfield.edu/international

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