Welcome to the
University of Illinois at Springfield!
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Namasthe!
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Sarah Jome – International Student Services
Lori Giordano – Transition Services
Jeannie Capranica – Diversity Center
Dr. Rassule Hadidi – MIS
Howard Seidel – Food Service
Indian Students at UIS
 Numbers
– Fall 2013 – 270
– Fall 2014 - ~450?
 Majors
– 95% CS and MIS
 Organizations
– ISO, Kalanidhi Indian Dance Org, ISEES
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Getting Ready to Go
 Preliminary
Immigration Issues
 Housing
 Health & Insurance
 Academic Advising &
Course Registration
 Admissions
 Final Preparation
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Traveling
Orientation
Immigration
Employment
Career Center
Parent Concerns
Why UIS
MIS Program
Preliminary Immigration
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I-20 – SEVIS number, information
I-901 Fee – www.fmjfee.com $200, print receipt
Visa application – www.travel.state.gov , $160
Airplane ticket – arrive for August 18 or 19
U.S. Port of Entry – carry documents with you
Airports – Chicago, Springfield
Housing
 Apply for housing on campus now http://www.uis.edu/residencelife/forms/
 Request roommates by name, building preferences
 Benefits – furnished, no SSN required, location,
activities, no bus or line – NO Short-Term Housing
 Options – apartments and townhouses, private or
shared bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living area
 Costs per semester ~ $1880, $2650, $2900
 Meal Plans ~ $375, $1150, $1675, $2100
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Health Services
 Required Immunizations
– MMR – measles, mumps, rebella
– Tdap – tetanus/diphtheria/aceluular pertussis
– Tuberculosis test – required on campus
 Have doctor/nurse complete form now and bring it
with you to orientation
 OR – get new immunizations on campus
 Treats minor illnesses on campus
 Clinics and hospitals off campus (insurance insurance)
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Health Insurance
 Academic HealthPlans – BlueCross BlueShield of
Illinois www.ahpcare.com/uis
 All students get it automatically when registered
 World-wide coverage
 Family coverage available
 Off-campus health care is expensive – so insurance
helps pay
 General dental and eye care not included
 Make sure you always have insurance!!
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Classes & Advising
 Academic Advisors – order of classes, prerequisites,
meet graduation requirements, bring unofficial transcript
if no final one yet
 Formal online registration
– computer-based
– Must activate UIN with TCN (and send copy of visa)
 Government issues
– Online vs. on-campus
– Attendance
 American Classroom
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Admissions Follow-up
 Check application status online http://www.uis.edu/admissions/
 Admission + finances = I-20
 Final transcripts due - usually second semester
 Send copy of visa – to remove registration hold
 Defer start date if necessary at
https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/6838703
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Final Preparations
 Make transportation
and housing plans
 Have a money plan for
unexpected travel
expenses and
immediate necessities
 Gather contact
information –
professional and
personal
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 Pack for school and weather
(-22 to 35̊C)
– Plan to buy some things
here
 Pack health documents
 Carry I-20 and passport
(don’t pack)
 Stay in touch with family
and friends
Traveling
 Carry passport and I-20 with you – do not
pack them!
 At Airports – Chicago, Springfield
– Luggage, Immigration, Customs
 Train – Amtrak.com from Chicago or St.
Louis
 Taxi from the Springfield airport
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Orientation
 Check-in – Monday or Tuesday, Aug. 18-19
– Immigration, health history & immunizations,
iCard, UIN activation, banking, bus system,
academic issues, tours, bus to shopping
– We will email check-in assignments
 Presentations – Wednesday and Thursday, 20 & 21
– Immigration, employment, GA/GPSI, safety,
insurance, billing, SSN, taxes, Blackboard, etc.
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Immigration
1. Be full-time (fall, spring, ~summer) (on-campus
and blended vs. online)
2. Keep immigration documents up-to-date (not
visa)
3. Be employed only when, where, for how long
you are authorized
4. Addresses – update within 10 days
5. Carry documents
6. Other laws (driving, drinking, insurance…)
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Employment (F-1)
 Immediate
– On campus – Career Connect, hourly, GA/GPSI
 After 1 academic year
– Optional Practical Training (usually after grad)
– Curricular Practical Training (not all majors)
– Economic Hardship
 Employment Workshops (and emails)
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Career Development Center
 Helps with job search for after graduation
 On-campus employment is very limited
 www.uis.edu/career/international-students
– Career Jump-Start Webinar Series *register now
– Job Search Club
– Resume Resources and Services
– Resume Critiques
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Parent Concerns
 Housing, food, restaurants, shopping, bus
 Safety
– Campus police, emergency lights, 911
 FERPA - privacy
 Paying Bills - http://paymybill.uillinois.edu/
– Due dates – September 28 and February 28
– payment plans, Peer Transfer
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 Why UIS?
 Management Information Systems program
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