Pre-Arrival Information
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International Graduate StudentsInformation about the Fall graduate students orientation will be posted shortly. Spring Semester Classes begin September 4th, 2012. Graduate students should contact their specific department for more information. Students should also contact Steve Frickstad in the Graduate Office, 420 Darland Administration Building to let him know when they plan to arrive. If you would like to be picke up from the Duluth airport or where the bus or shuttle drops you off in Duluth, please email admissa@d.umn.edu with your arrival information. Document CheckAll new students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to attend Document Check after their arrival in the U.S. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until they complete Document Check. Document Check is a procedure that verifies a student’s immigration status to ensure that the student is eligible to start an academic program at the University of Minnesota for the upcoming academic semester. Your registration holds, which prevent you from registering for classes, will be discussed with you during Document Check.
You can also bring these items to international student orientation and we can do your Document Check at that time. Housing InformationTemporary housing on the UMD campus may be available 2 weeks before classes start depending on availability. The charge is $25 per night. Students must be moved out by Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 4 p.m. ISS may be able to provide temporary housing for students when they first arrive. Temporary community housing is sometimes offered by families interested in meeting international students. Please let us know two weeks in advance if you would like to reserve campus housing or request temporary community housing. Campus housing will not be available unless reserved in advance. LocationThe University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake. ClimateDuluth has 4 distinct seasons during the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. During these seasons, the weather can vary dramatically. Summers tend to be warm and humid with the temperature averaging 17 degrees Celsius. The winters in Minnesota tend to be long and cold stretching from November to March. During that time temperatures average about –7 degrees Celsius. Fall and spring are transition seasons in which the weather is very unpredictable. It is usually cool in the mornings and evenings, but warmer during the day. Airline and Arrival InformationThe Duluth International Airport in Duluth, Minnesota is served by Delta, United Airlines and Allegiant Air.
Tuition and FeesYou will be responsible for paying the amount of money indicated on your financial certification form and on your I-20 form. If you do not believe you can pay the costs indicated on your financial certification statement, you should request postponement of your enrollment until you have the adequate funding. Please see the Tuition and Fees web page for more information. See Trisha O'Keefe if you have any questions about financial aid. The UMD Office of Financial Aid and Registrar administers financial aid programs for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Money and BankingMake sure you bring funds with you to cover immediate costs of purchasing warm winter clothing, health insurance, rental deposit, at least two months’ room and board cost; if living off campus, and your first semester’s tuition. You may want to bring money to cover ALL your living and educational expenses for the first semester. We suggest that you bring $6,000 to $8,000 in the form of traveler’s checks or certified checks. We recommend you do not carry money in your luggage, keep it on your person at all times. Also be sure you arrange for the balance of funds that you need for the year to be sent to you before the next semester begins. You will be able to set up an account with a local bank once you arrive. There is one bank (TCF Bank) located right on campus and several others within walking distance. It is also possible to have money transferred electronically to TCF Bank from other countries once you have set up an account. The University does not accept wire transfers for tuition payment. Immigration RegulationsThere are a number of immigration issues and documents to be aware of while preparing for your stay. You should already have your I-20 form, which you will need in order to apply for the student visa. Please read the instructions on page 2 of the I-20 form.
After you receive the I-20 form, follow the U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 student visa. It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Many consulates recommend that appointments be made no more than 90 days from the intended date of travel, but some can make earlier arrangements for interviews. Take the following items to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate:
Students with a SEVIS I-20 issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security. SEVIS FEE Instructions:
Do not enter the United States with an I-20 from a school other than the one you will attend. Entry using another school’s I-20 will result in problems with your legal status. On the airplane, you will be given an I-94 Arrival and Departure card, which you should keep in your passport. Immigration officials will inspect your visa documents at the U.S. airport. They will keep the first page of your I-20 and give you pages 3 and 4. Remember to carry all your visa documents on your person, not in your luggage. EmploymentMany international students work part time on campus or have a graduate assistantship. Employment information can be accessed via the student employment web site. This web site contains information on current open positions. and UMD’s Freshman Job Fair. Refer to the student employment websites at: employment.umn.edu and www.d.umn.edu/food/ol_app/appform.php
Things to BringBring something warm to wear, especially if you are arriving from a warmer climate. Duluth can be very cold during the winter and rainy during spring and fall. It is always a good idea to bring a raincoat, umbrella, warm pair of shoes, warm hat and gloves, casual wear (jeans, shirts, sweatpants etc.) waterproof clothing, and your native costume in case you want to wear it to cultural events. Also, it can be nice to have pictures of your friends and family as well as some music from your country. If you are on prescription medication, make sure you have enough of a supply or that you can find similar medication here in Duluth. You will also need to bring your own bedding and sheets for on-campus housing. Make sure you talk to Trisha O'Keefe before you arrive in order to make appropriate arrangements. Health CareIn the United States, the government does not pay for health care. Your Student Services Fee pays for services at UMD Health Services, and, in addition, you are required to purchase health insurance. Health care in the United States is complicated and very expensive – one illness can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and financially devastate you and your family. Therefore, for your protection, UMD mandates that all international students purchase the Student Health Benefit Plan. For more information about the plan, please visit: http://www.bhs.umn.edu/insurance/international.htm Waiving the PlanIf you are covered by either of the following, you will not be required to purchase the Student Health Benefit Plan.
Please see Trisha O'Keefe, International Student Advisor to register for the waiver. Before arriving to Duluth, please review and fill out the following forms: International Student AdvisorTrisha O'Keefe 237 Kirby Student Center Phone: 218-726-8962 E-mail: Trisha O'Keefe
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