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Arrival
Documents Provided by ISSS
Entering on an F-1 Visa If you plan to enter the United States temporarily and solely to study at an educational institution, you usually obtain an F - 1 student visa. To apply for this visa we first determine if you are qualified academically, linguistically and financially to attend Kent State. Next we will issue you a Certification of Eligibility (Form I - 20). The I - 20 is presented to an American embassy or consulate, along with the letter of admission and with proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses in the United States. The entry visa is permission to enter the U.S. and is issued by an American embassy or consulate. If you plan to bring a spouse or child, F - 2 visas are for dependents of the F - 1 visa holder. At the port of entry immigration officials will record your I - 20, and return it to you. The I - 20 is a permanent record of your F - 1 status, and is used to record work authorization, practical training, extensions of stay, and transfer approval. Keep this important document in your passport and do not surrender it when leaving the U.S. The I - 94 is an arrival and departure record. It is a small white card issued upon entry to the U.S., indicating legal entry, visa status, date of arrival, and expected departure date. Staple this to your passport across from the entry visa. Normally, it will indicate "D/S', which means “Duration of Status.” (DS) is the length of time necessary to complete a specific program or level plus a 60 day grace period. The DS is stamped on both the I - 20 and I - 94. Photo copy these documents and keep them in a secure place. Maintenance of Status are the regulations you must follow to remain in the U.S. Do not let your I - 20 expire. When you arrive on campus you must check-in at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in 128 Bowman Hall. Our office hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. You are required to bring the following immigration documents with you to our office:
A J - 1 student is an exchange visitor coming to the United States for temporary periods for a full course of study or non-degree prescribed course of study under the sponsorship of an organizational exchange or institution that has previously been approved as an exchange visitor program sponsor. A J - 1 visa holder is frequently coming to the university for the purpose of research or teaching. The exchange visitor should be supported substantially by funds from sources other than personal or family funds. After approvals are obtained at Kent State University, ISSS issues a DS - 2019 (Certificate of Eligibility). The DS - 2019 is taken to an American embassy or consulate to obtain a J - 1 visa to enter the U.S. The DS - 2019 is to be kept with your passport for travel and re-entry to the U.S., for permission to work, and for waiver application. When you enter the U.S. you will receive an I - 94. This small white card is an arrival/departure record. It indicates legal entry, visa status, date of arrival, and expected departure date. Staple this to your passport across from your entry visa. “Duration of Status.” (DS) is the length of time necessary to complete a specific program or level plus a 30 days grace period. This is item is stamped on both the DS - 2019, and I - 94. Photo copy these documents and keep them in a secure place. Maintenance of Status are the regulations you must follow to remain in the U.S. Do not let your DS - 2019 expire. If you were previously studying at another U.S. college and are transferring to Kent State you must come to ISSS to complete your immigration transfer within 15 days of the beginning of your first semester here. You need to present your Kent State I - 20, the I - 20 from your previous school and evidence that you were a full-time student at your previous school (e.g., transcript, or letter from the advisor at your previous school, etc.). When to Arrive You should plan to arrive on the dates indicated in your welcome letter from ISSS. Free transportation to the campus is provided if you arrive on these dates. If you plan to live off-campus in non-university housing you should arrive about 2 to 4 weeks before classes start to find a place to stay. Kent Weather
American college students dress informally for class. Men wear jeans or casual pants with a sweater or sweatshirt in cold weather. Frequently they wear shorts and short sleeve shirts in very warm weather. Women students wear slacks, sweaters and sweatshirts to class in cold weather. In warmer weather they may wear a skirt or shorts and blouse. The following are suggestions. Suggested basic clothing list for everyone:
Toiletries
Medications
Miscellaneous Items
You may wish to send some books written in your language to Kent prior to your departure from home. These can be used as reference material. Many Americans are curious about countries different than their own, so you may want to include some special items from your home. We do not have storage space in ISSS. Please have these items sent to your permanent address in Kent. Until you have a permanent address you may have your mail (letters only) sent to you addressed as follows: YOUR NAME There are several banks in Kent and two are on campus. These banks are experienced with international transactions. Do not bring large amounts of cash with you. Use traveler's checks or have the money wired directly from your home bank to the local bank in Kent. If you wire the money, you can use it immediately. If you bring a bank draft, you cannot rely on it for immediate cash. It will take 10 to 15 days for the draft to clear both banks. You will have expenses when you arrive in Kent:
Kent State University has residence facilities for single students and students with dependents. Students with
Dependents Students and their families are placed in apartments on a first come, first served basis. If you would like housing in the Allerton Apartments, it is important to contact Student Family Housing at to be placed on a waiting list. Placement in these apartments is not guaranteed and need to prepare to seek alternative accommodations. ISSS recommends
that international
students with families seriously consider Allerton Apartments because
of
a reasonable cost, access to the campus bus service and location.
Please visit the Residence Service website for more Information
about Allerton Apartments. Students
without Dependents Living in a residence hall has many advantages. You pay room and board in one payment. All utilities are included in the payment. Your only cost is for long distance telephone service. Off-campus housing also has advantages. You can live by your own rules; you have much more privacy than in the residence hall, and you can prepare your own food. Carefully consider your choices. You living accommodations can affect your success at Kent State University. Fall Semester. Please advise ISSS of your arrival plans by 4 January 2008. Ideal Arrival Date for free transportation from airport, bus or train station is 7 - 9 January 2008. Orientation for New International Students begins on Thursday, 10 January at 8:30 a.m. in 106 Van Campen Hall. There are two international airports serving northeastern Ohio. The Cleveland-Hopkins (code CLE) and Akron-Canton (code CAK) airports are near Kent. Each airport is about a 45-minute drive from the university. The closest bus and train stations are in Akron, which is about 30 minutes from Kent by car. Shuttle Service
Upon arrival we will meet you in the baggage claim area. Please look for a person with a yellow sign saying, “Kent State University.” We know that international flights can sometimes be delayed. If you arrive late and miss the shuttle, call 1 - 330 - 672 - 7980 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If outside of those times, please call 330 - 672 - 2212 and ask the dispatcher to contact the internatinal student advisor on-duty to arrange pickup duirng the designated pickup dates of 7 - 9 January.. If you do not arrive between 7 - 9 January you will have to make arrangements for your own transportation to the campus. This is expensive. Please telephone us if you get lost or need help. Telephone: 330 - 672 - 7980. Kent State University is easily accessible from all directions via major interstate highways; Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana turnpikes. Please see the directions to Kent State University website for more information. To help international students during their first few days, Residence Services provides temporary lodging on-campus. Space is very limited. Each room has a modest living arrangement and cost per night. If you need temporary lodging please contact the Department of Residence Services : Mr.David. Taylor via email: dataylo1@kent.edu Reservations are required. In your initial packet with the visa documents you will find additional information about this service. There are hotels
near campus.
Space is limited so you should contact them immediately to make
reservations
for any lodging you will need during your first few days in Kent.
Those closest to the campus are:
When you arrive on campus you must check-in at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in Van Campen Hall. Our office hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. You are required to bring the following immigration documents with you to our office:
During the week before classes we also recommend the following:
The Orientation Program is essential for all new international students. This free program will provide you with valuable information important to your transition to Kent State University and the surrounding community. Please plan your arrival to allow for your attendance. Graduate students with teaching and assistantship appointments are required to attend the Orientation Program, and Orientation for Graduate and Teaching Assistants (ONTAP). You should bring your Medical History Form, and Immunization Certification to the first orientation session. The program includes information about immigration regulations, health services and insurance, academic success, living in Kent, security, computer resources, and many other issues:
ONTAP for Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants. This program includes a written English test and oral English Assessment. For the agenda please check the ONTAP website. ONTAP immediately follows the New International Student Orientation. International students with an assistantship are required to attend ONTAP. The orientation schedule for all international students with an assistantship is as follows:
About ONTAP
The United States does not have universal health care and medical care is very expensive. In an effort to assist students, the University has contracted with a major insurance company to provide broad coverage for a reasonable cost. This coverage meets the government's minimum requirements for international students. Failure to maintain medical coverage may result in deregistration from classes. This means that you will lose your student status The Student Insurance Health
Plan is available to all registered students. Married students
who
enroll in the plan may also enroll their eligible
dependents.
You are not obligated to purchase this plan, but we strongly recommend
it. Student Health Plan applications will be available at the
Orientation
Program for new international students. If you chose to be covered by another insurance plan, you must ensure that coverage meets the following minimum requirements set by the U.S. Government:
When applying for health insurance, the cost may vary in relation to your age and health condition. The same is true for your spouse if you insure him/her. Dental insurance is not included in either the University's or in most insurance plans. For more information about the Student Health Insurance Plan, please visit the website of University Health Services. The University requires new students to provide documentation of specific immunizations before they can register for classes. Please bring you certificate of immunizations to the first Orientation Program session. If you have not had the following immunizations please go the University Health Center on Eastway Drive, telephone: 672 - 2322 or to the Portage County Health Department, telephone: 330 - 296 - 9919.
The Portage County Health Department has an immunization service and can provide service for children: Portage County Administration Building on the third floor, 449 South Meridan Street, Ravenna, Ohio, Telephone: 330 - 296 - 9919. The Health Department can be reached via the Portage Area Transit Authority Bus. The Health Department can provide immunizations for children. For more information about this requirement visit the University Health Services website. Students receive a medical history form with their visa documents. This is the only source of medical information available to doctors in the event of an accident or serious illness. Please bring the completed form to the first session of the Orientation Program. The Program is held prior to the beginning of classes. Your academic adviser can help you with academic matters. Your adviser is responsible for providing you with information about coursework, programs of study, degree requirements, academic progress, and academic support services and policies. It is your responsibility to consult with your adviser and we recommend you do so every semester prior to registering for classes. By consulting an adviser regularly, you will avoid unnecessary delays and misunderstandings in meeting all requirements for graduation. Undergraduate Students: Before you register for classes you will have an individual appointment with an academic advisor. Shortly after that time, an adviser will be assigned to each undergraduate student. We recommend you see your adviser on a regular basis, and before you register for classes each semester. Graduate students: You will normally have an academic adviser assigned by your department prior to your first registration. This person may also be the Graduate Coordinator. You should consult their department office for the name of the adviser and should see that person before registration. Class Registration Registration is "on-line" via website. Assistance will be available to you when you register for classes. The Registrar's website has more information on registration including an on-line schedule of classes. In general, a non-immigrant student is expected to pay for the full cost of the course of study. Consequently, there are very few scholarships available. Scholarship information is available through your academic department or the Financial Aid Office, 103 Michael Schwartz Center, telephone: 330 - 672 - 2972. The only financial aid available to undergraduate students is through an honors, music or athletic scholarships. As a prospective student, you should research financial aid opportunities through your government or sponsoring organization. Graduate Assistantships Assistantships are usually for the academic year beginning in the fall semester. Some may include the summer session. Hiring for Graduate Assistants/Teaching Fellows occurs in the appropriate academic department office. The department should be contacted directly. Applicants for graduate assistantships beginning fall semester should apply for admission no later than the previous November 1 to assure consideration in the first selections made by the departments. There are a large number of applicants for a limited number of assistantships. The academic department is responsible for awarding assistantships. Awards are usually announced in early spring. Emergency Grant
Loans Kent State University has established a short-term loan that can be used to pay tuition and on-campus housing. The interest free loan is extended as a service to the student. The student is responsible for paying back the loan within the semester. For additional information please contact ISSS. It is important for you to have identification as a student. Your passport and related visa documents are important forms of identification. Your student identification card, is known as a FLASHcard will be useful on campus This card is required to register for classes, borrow library books, free admission to athletic events, and many campus cultural and social activities. The FLASHcard is also a food card for students living in the residence hall, and can be used at any of the campus cafeterias. The FLASHcard is not very useful off-campus. ISSS recommends that international students obtain a state identification card. State
Identification Card The following documents will be needed to obtain this identification:
There are several other Deputy Registrar Offices in the area and these are listed on the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.
A detailed calendar that includes registration for classes, course withdrawal deadlines and fee payments is available on the Registrar's website. Kent State University is in northeastern Ohio. It is about a one-hour drive to Cleveland and two hours to Pittsburgh. The University has eight campuses. The one in Kent is the largest. Seven smaller regional campuses are located in northeastern Ohio. The Campus has black squirrels. The University has programs in more than 150 major fields of study including bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. There are 31,000 students enrolled in the University's eight-campus system. This includes 4,300 graduate students. About 6,000 students live in on-campus residence halls. There are more than 200 student clubs and organizations at the University. The city of Kent has a population of 30,000, not including students. The city is known for the quality of its drinking water and its numerous trees. It is often called the “The Tree City”. |
