Pre-Arrival Information for New International Students
When Should You Arrive?
All students must arrive in time for the first day of International Student Orientation. If this is not possible, contact the OISS. If you will be living in University housing, you may receive conflicting information about when the residence halls open. Note that the OISS makes special arrangements for early housing for new international students, so please direct any questions to us.
Scholars should arrive according to instructions from their departments.
Arranging Housing
On-Campus Housing
University housing contracts are for the entire academic year (September - May). All residence hall rooms are furnished with one desk, chair, bed and bureau per occupant. You are expected to provide your own linens and other furnishings. Although UNH does not provide laundry services, each residence hall has laundry facilities on site.
University housing is in high demand, so we urge you to reserve a space prior to arriving in the U.S. Please do not assume that a space will automatically be available for you.
Undergraduate Students: First- and second-year undergraduate students are usually required to live on campus. All admitted students will receive a Housing Packet in the mail. Follow the instructions to arrange for on-campus housing. If you would like to live in UNH's multicultural residence hall, you may request Smith Hall on your Housing Application. However, Smith Hall is very popular and we are not able to accommodate all international students at Smith. Other residence halls are available for students with Special Interests. A room will be reserved for you only if the signed card, room deposit and enrollment fee are received by the deadline indicated in the Housing Packet. If you miss this deadline, any rooms which are still available will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have questions about housing, please contact the Department of Housing directly. Note: Only Smith, Randall, Devine and Hitchcock Halls remain open during vacation periods. If you plan to remain on campus during breaks, we recommend you request a space in one of these residence halls.
Graduate Students: Graduate students who wish to live on campus are assigned to Babcock Hall. You must contact the Department of Housing to request a room and submit a deposit in order to be guaranteed a room. If you are the recipient of a UNH assistantship, a deposit is not required, but you must still contact the Department of Housing to confirm your room request. International scholars without accompanying family members may also be housed at Babcock. Questions about housing should be directed to the Department of Housing.
Forest Park is an on-campus apartment complex which is available for international students and scholars with families. If you are planning to arrive with your spouse and/or other family members, be sure to make your housing arrangements well in advance of arrival as space in Forest Park is very limited and there is usually a waiting list.
Off-Campus Housing
Off-campus housing is available in Durham and the neighboring communities of Dover, Portsmouth, Newmarket and Lee. Lists of available rooms and apartments can be obtained through the MUB Information Center. Lists of Rental apartments and housing are also published in local newspapers, such as the Foster's Daily Democrat and The Portsmouth Herald. Local Chambers of Commerce ( Dover and Portsmouth) may also be able to provide you with information about housing. The OISS can also provide you with a limited listing of apartment complexes and real estate agencies who offer assistance with rentals.
Dining Options
All undergraduate students living in University housing must purchase a University meal plan. Undergraduates living off-campus and graduate students may elect to purchase a meal plan, but are not required to do so. International faculty, staff and visiting scholars may also purchase a meal plan if desired.
There are several different meal plans to choose from. The dining halls serve three meals per day on weekdays, and two on weekends (brunch and dinner). Your meal plan may also entitle you to meals elsewhere on campus, for example in the student union. For more information, please contact UNH Dining.
Getting Your Visa
Once your admission to the University is complete, and you have satisfied the financial requirement for international students, you will receive either a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa) or a Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Student Visa) from the OISS. You will be required to present this form, along with your valid passport, the letter of admission to UNH and all supporting financial documents (e.g. bank statements, letter of assistantship, research or scholarship award, affidavit of support from a sponsor) to the Consular Officer when you visit the United States Embassy or Consulate in your area. Make sure that all supporting financial documents are either originals on official letterhead or are properly notarized photocopies, are in English (or are accompanied by notarized translations) and show the funds in U.S. dollars or the U.S. dollar equivalent.
Immigration officials will inspect this certificate and your financial documents at your point of entry to the U.S., so keep these forms and your passport with you when you travel. If for any reason you are unable to attend UNH as expected, you must return your Certificate of Eligibility to the OISS.
Detailed instructions and tips will be provided with your I-20 or DS-2019.
NOTE to Canadian Students: While you are not required to obtain a visa or to carry a passport, you are required to present your Certificate of Eligibility and declare yourself as a student at the US port-of-entry.
If you receive a Certificate of Eligibility from more than one school you must report to the school whose I-20 or DS-2019 you use to enter the U.S. and meet their enrollment requirement, or you will be in violation of your student status. At UNH, this will mean enrolling for at least one semester before becoming eligible to transfer.
If you are an international student already in the U.S. you will be asked to complete an International Student Transfer Form prior to receiving an I-20 or DS-2019.Your transfer to UNH will be completed during the International Student Orientation. Please note that this is a transfer in terms of immigration and is separate from any type of academic transfer process.
If you are already in the U.S. in a non-student visa classification , the OISS will help you determine whether you need to change to a student classification. There are many non-immigrant visa categories which permit study. However, if you have been offered an assistantship, scholarship or other type of aid, you may be required to change your status in order to accept the award.
Considerations for Students with Dependents
If you are planning to bring family members with you, there are several important issues to consider:
University Housing for families is quite limited. There is usually a waiting list for the Forest Park Apartment Complex. You will need to make these arrangements well in advance of arrival.
School-age children (ages 6 to 16) are required to attend school. You will need to provide their official birth certificates, school records, complete medical history and immunization records. [ IMPORTANT : See www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/IMMUNIZATION for 2006-07 immunization requirements.] You will not be able to enroll children in school or in child care without proof of immunizations.
Childcare centers (for younger children or after-school care) are expensive and usually have a waiting list. It may not be possible to find a center to take care of your child immediately.
As a condition of enrollment, ALL international students in F-1 status are required to purchase the International Sickness and Injury Plan sponsored by UNH. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this university policy .
View the brochure: http://www.unh.edu/health-services/shbp/pdf/brochure2007-2008.pdf
Students in J-1 status are required to purchase the UNH plan unless one of the following applies: 1) insurance is provided by the student’s home government or 2) insurance is provided by a non-UNH J program sponsor, or 3) students are participating in an exchange program between UNH and their home academic institutions and the formal agreement does not specify that students have to purchase the UNH plan. In these instances, the J-1 student must provide documentation of their insurance coverage. If the insurance coverage is not in compliance with US Department of State minimum requirements, the student will be required to purchase the UNH plan.
All international students participating in the "J" Exchange Visitor Program are required by federal law to have health insurance for themselves and their accompanying family members. Failure to obtain and maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and your dependents will result in dismissal from the program and you will have to depart the United States immediately.
