Before Arriving at UMass Dartmouth
- SEVIS Fee
- Check the Status of Your Visa Application
- Before Departing Your Country
- Student Organizations
- Admissions
- Billing
- Health Immunizations and Insurance
- Housing Options
- Area around UMD & Campus Community
- Meals on campus
- Classes and Textbooks
- Sending and Receiving Mail
- Student Employment
- Social Security Numbers
- Local Transportation
- Weather in Dartmouth
- Transportation from Airport
- Pre-Arrival Checklist
SEVIS Fee
International Students and Scholars must pay a SEVIS fee a minimum of three days prior to their F or J visa appointment at an embassy or consulate. Please access the following web site:
https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
This web site will explain the fee, who has to pay it, and will provide instructions on the various methods available to pay it. Please be sure to print the receipt once you have paid the fee. You must bring the receipt to the visa appointment as proof of the SEVIS fee payment.
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(updated 06/14/2012)
Students can now check the status of their visa applications on line
U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Status Check
DOS has introduced the online "Visa Status Check," which allows both
immigrant and nonimmigrant applicants to check the status of their cases
at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
Before Departing Your Country
The U.S. Government has suggestions for departing your country. Click here for that information:
http://www.educationusa.info/pages/students/getready.php
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Student Organizations
There are many Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus. See the full list of RSOs
Students from China may get more information from the Chinese Student and Scholar Association by contacting Liyang Yu at umass.dartmouth.cssa@gmail.com. Also, please visit http://www.china-nafsa.aief-usa.org/ for pre-departure information.
And Indian students can contact the Indian Student Association for assistance, either here http://www.umassd.edu/isa or by e-mail at isaumassd@yahoogroups.com.
We have international students from many other parts of the world who have are willing to speak with new international students, so if you would like to have someone contact you, e-mail the International Student & Scholar Center (intl_office@umassd.edu).
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Admissions Process Questions
For Graduate Studies you may email Elan Turcotte-Shamski at graduate@umassd.edu.
For Undergraduate Admissions you may email admissions@umassd.edu.
Questions regarding assistantships should be addressed directly to the academic department in which you will study.
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Billing
PAYMENT PROCESSING:
UMass Dartmouth can receive a wire transfer from the student's bank.
Students can log onto their COIN account (Corsairs' Online INformation) to see if the payment has been posted.
Questions about wire transfers or billing should be directed to
The Bursar's Office at: 508-999-8090 (International Call: 001-508-999-8090)
The Enrollment Center at: 508-999-8857 (International Call: 001-508-999-8857)
Or by email to the Bursar's Office
Ms. Helen Reilly
Assistant Bursar
508-999-8174
HReilly@umassd.edu
(updated 06/14/2012)
Required Health Immunizations and Insurance
All UMass Dartmouth students must submit a completed health form, with the immunization page signed by their health care provider, to UMass Dartmouth Student Health Services. If Student Health Services has not received your completed immunization form, you will not be allowed to register or attend classes
All UMass Dartmouth students must be immunized for the following:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Tetanus diptheria
- Hepatitis B
- Chicken Pox
In addition, all new residential students must read information about Bacterial Meningitis and either receive the meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver declining it. Both the meningitis information and waiver are avaible at the web site listed below.
Health Services has limited resources to assist with these required vaccines and urges students to receive these immunizations in their home countries.
For in-depth information regarding the immunizations and to download a health form, go to www.umassd.edu/studentaffairs/health/immureq.cfm
Health care in the United States is very expensive without health insurance coverage. All international students are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance and will be automatically billed for this coverage on the bill from the university. The health insurance covers a full twelve months and is effective from August 1 of the current year through July 31 of the next year.
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Housing Options
It is important to make arrangements for permanent housing before you arrive in the U.S., or else have money to stay in a hotel nearby temporarily while searching for permanent housing. There is no temporary housing on campus.
Most graduate students prefer to live off campus. You will be responsible for finding your own housing if you live off campus. An off-campus housing listing can be found at http://www.umassd.edu/housing/offcampus. Many students find living off campus less expensive than on-campus housing. It is also very hard to cancel an on-campus housing contract. Be sure to read the guide to renting apartments and rooms. For additional information regarding tenants' rights in Massachusetts, please refer to the following websites: http://www.hud.gov/local/ma/renting/tenantrights.cfm and http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=1190
You may apply to live on campus if you wish. Please view this cost chart for on-campus housing. Housing and Residential Education offers one floor set aside for graduate students in Ivy Hall. If you do arrange for on-campus housing, it is important that you ask for a contract, sign the contract, and mail it back to the Housing Office with a deposit of $200 USD as soon as possible. For additional information, please email housing@umassd.edu. You may also contact Kendra Wisneski with any questions at K.Wisneski@umassd.edu.
Please note that the housing contract does not cover the full academic year. Students living on campus must make special arrangements and pay extra to live in the University residences during semester vacations and during the summer. This information is included in the rules and regulations that students living on campus must follow.
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UMass Dartmouth area Guide & Campus Community
This website, Campus and Community, gives new UMass Dartmouth students information about the campus and local community and a good sense of what kinds of events and traditions you may see at UMD. There is also additional visitor information on this page: http://www.umassd.edu/graduate/visitorsguide.cfm
Some students have organized cultural groups on our campus for support and resources. Students from India may visit the Indian Student Association’s website, at http://www.umassd.edu/isa, or e-mail isaumassd@yahoogroups.com.
(updated 12/14/2012)
Meals on Campus
International students may either buy a meal plan on campus or purchase food to prepare from the local grocery stores. You may also add a specified amount of money to your UMass Pass (ID) Card and use it like cash at the various dining locations on campus. A meal plan requires you to pay for your meals for the academic year ahead of time. These meals are limited to the dining locations on campus and the specific hours that they are open. You are encouraged to research and to try the services offered on campus before entering into a contract with Dining Services. Once you have purchased a meal plan, it can be very difficult to cancel the contract. For information on meal plans and all aspects of dining services go to http://www.dineoncampus.com/umassd/"
There are several large grocery markets near the campus: Stop and Shop http://www.stopandshop.com/ and Shaw’s Market http://www.shaws.com/.
For information on UMass Pass, adding funds to your card and replacing your UMass Pass (ID) card visit www.umassd.edu/umasspass.
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Classes and Textbooks
There is no formal schedule for meeting with your academic advisor during Orientation, so you can e-mail ahead and make an appointment with the academic department or graduate program. Some departments will arrange to register you for your classes by e-mail at that time. The Campus Store will be open for extended hours during the first few weeks of the semester and they will have all your textbooks for sale. We recommend that you wait until after your first class to buy your textbooks. The cost of new books can range between $350 USD to $600 USD per semester. Visit the Campus Store website at http://umdcampusstore.com/ for more information.
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(updated 06/14/2012)
Sending and Receiving Mail
This website will tell you all you need to know about incoming and outgoing mail for students who live on campus.
(updated 01/29/2013)
Student Employment
As an international student, your visa type determines your ability to work, where you may work, and how many hours you may work. Most first year international students find it difficult to find employment on campus. For more information, see the Student Employment Office.
Many international students cannot work off campus until they have been in the U.S. for one full academic year per immigration regulations. After you have been enrolled for one full academic year, the International Student and Scholar Center has information regarding the requirements for working off campus.
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Social Security Numbers
In order to work in the United States, you must have a Social Security Number. In order to successfully apply, you must have proof of an offer of employment. According to the new regulations you are required to have a special document completed and signed by the immediate supervisor offering you the position and by staff members in the International Student and Scholar Center. If you do not have an offer of employment, you may not be eligible for a Social Security Number. This application process will be discussed at Orientation.
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Local Transportation
Local Bus line (SRTA)
The local bus line is called the SRTA. You can find schedule information relevant to UMass Dartmouth here: http://www.umassd.edu/services/busschedule/srta.cfm
Yellow Cab Taxi
If you arrive in Fall River after the bus lines stop running, you may need to take a taxi to your lodging. Yellow Cab is one taxi service based in Fall River, and their number is 508-674-4633. On average, the cost is $25 USD for a ride from the Fall River bus terminal to UMass Dartmouth. There may be other taxi services posted in or around the bus terminal. It is customary to give a gratuity or "tip";that is, a small amount of extra money in addition to the fare.
Blue Bird Taxi
Blue Bird Taxi is a service based in New Bedford. They currently offer a flat rate of $12 USD for UMass Dartmouth students, for any pick up point in the City of New Bedford to the campus, or the campus to any point in the City of New Bedford, but with no stops in between. Their phone number is 508-999-1124. It is customary to give a gratuity or "tip"; that is, a small amount of extra money in addition to the fare.
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Weather in Dartmouth
The weather in New England and around Dartmouth can range from extremely cold in the winter (below 0°F or -18°C), to extremely hot in the summer time (in excess of 90°F or 33°C). With this in mind, be sure that you have or can get adequate winter clothing such as boots, scarves, hats, and gloves. For information on current weather conditions in Dartmouth, please visit: http://www.umassd.edu/weather/
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