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| title | Next steps to Study as an F-1 International Student |
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| | What are my next steps? | |
Proof of Financial Resources | international@uwf.edu
| Request an I-20 The first step is to submit a copy of your passport and proof of financial support for your study program. When this is complete, you will receive your I-20 by email. If you plan to transfer your I-20 to UWF, please review Steps to Transfer an I-20 | We recommend that you complete this step as soon as possible so that you can schedule a visa appointment. If your plans change, please email international@uwf.edu with details. |
Scholarships and Funding Opportunities Awards and Scholarships: Undergraduate International Affairs Scholarships and Linkages Graduate Funding Opportunities Additional Scholarship Information Please note that F-1 students are not eligible for federal work study and some types of aid or scholarships. It is important to read the eligibility requirements for each opportunity. Apply for your VISA international@uwf.edu Schedule a Visa Appointment There are several steps to apply for a visa. You need If earliest visa appointment is too late Check In Steps for F-1 Check-in | Pay your SEVIS Fee if this is the first time you are studying in the US as an F-1 |
StudentsAll new international students, including transfer students, must complete check in with UWF International Affairs. Most of the check in steps can be done before you arrive in Pensacola. | After you complete check in, you will get a new I-20. This I-20 shows CONTINUED ATTENDANCE. This means that you are enrolled and studying at UWF. | Health Insuranceinternational@uwf.edu | Maintaining Required Insurance as an F-1 or J-1 Student You can enroll in a Pre-approved insurance plan by the UWF. OR You can Use your Own Insurance, as long as you complete a waiver form by the deadline. After the posted waiver deadlines: - alternative insurance WILL NOT be accepted.
- Students will need to enroll in the IFS plan for UWF students.
Resources to understand US Healthcare and Insurance UWF Student Health Services Frequently Asked Questions Local Urgent Care and Emergency Room Facilities - If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER).
- For non-emergency care, visit Student Health Services, an urgent care or doctor's office.
Overview of the US Healthcare System for International Students Transfer your I-20 to UWFinternational@uwf.edu | Contact your current international student advisor. They need a copy of your admission letter to transfer your I-20 to the University of West Florida. Transferring a Form I-20 to UWF This page has Transfer Instructions and the UWF SEVIS school code. | Email international@uwf.edu to inform the advising team that you will be transferring your I-20. | Arrival at a US Port of EntryArrive in Pensacolainternational@uwf.edu | You should always present your I-20 to a Customs and Border Protection Officer when you arrive in the US and state to the officer that you are entering as an F-1 student. Arrive in Pensacola If you arrive by plane, you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to your room. UWF International Affairs is not able to provide airport pick up. If you plan on using bank cards and accounts from abroad, make sure they will work in the U.S. before travel. You will only need cash for food, taxi services, and emergencies. Do not travel with large amounts of cash. After you have your new address, you may open a checking account at a local bank. I-94 Arrival Form The Form I-94 shows your current admission to the U.S. You must print a new copy each time you arrive in the U.S. Contact International Programs immediately if your I-94 does not show D/S or Duration of Status for the Admit Until Date. Check out Study in the States for more information and the link to print your I-94: F-1 Students: Remember to Check for “D/S” on Your Form I-94. UWF Campus Map If you are confirmed to live on campus, enter the building number or the name of your residence hall. Google Maps If you are living off campus, be sure to have the correct street address. |
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| title | Other Important Next Steps |
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| What are my next steps? | | Enrollment Requirements | Students work with their academic advisor to plan their courses. Academic Advising | Enroll full time your first semester at UWF. F-1 students must enroll full time during the academic year: fall and spring semesters. | Full time enrollment:
Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours with at least 9 face-to-face credit hours.
Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least 3 face-to-face credit hours.
Intensive English Program Students:
Students in the Intensive English Program do not need to register for classes. You will get a class schedule on the first day of classes.
Academic Advising &Course Registration | Newly Admitted First-year Students
Newly Admitted Transfer Students
Newly Admitted Graduate Students
Intensive English Program Students:
Students in the Intensive English Program do not need to register for classes. You will get a class schedule on the first day of classes.
Click here for step-by-step instructions that will help students register for classes in MyUWF.
We recommend that you register for classes as soon as possible.
New freshmen students must attend Orientation prior to registration.
Here are some other useful links. Searching for Course Offerings Registering for Courses Academic Dates and Deadlines - Fee payment deadlines
- Drop and withdrawal deadlines
- Semester dates and holidays
Enrolling in Getting Started With Canvas Course Using the Classmate App for Students Classmate includes access to your Class Schedule, Detailed Course Information (including location), Syllabus (if available), eLearning (if available), Textbooks (if available), access to register a clicker, viewing the final exam schedule, and waitlist status. UWF Bookstore | Immunizations
healthservices@uwf.edu | UWF Student Health Services can assist you with questions about completing your immunization requirements. Immunization Requirements Immunization FAQs | Please upload your documents before you contact Health Services. This allows the immunization team to review your details. | Housing
housing@uwf.edu
Apply to Live on Campus
Apply now!
Spring 2023 Contract is Live
On campus housing is full for Fall 2022. We recommend that you submit a housing contract as soon as possible for Spring 2023. There will be limited rooms available. Room assignments will be made in the order contracts are received starting in late November This does not guarantee you a room, and you may also want to look for off campus housing. | Students with a room assignment can arrange a check in date with UWF Housing.
You must submit Immunization documentation through Student Health Services before checking in.
Apartments and dorm rooms do NOT have sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, or study lamps. Although you will want to travel light and can buy these items after your arrival, you may want to bring some non-electrical items with you. Many electrical plugs will not fit U.S. outlets. We suggest you pack at least a towel, a face cloth, sheets, and a pillowcase. You can find additional information on what to pack here.
If you are not able to arrive to study on campus, UWF Housing will not charge a cancellation fee or hold you to the contract.
student.
The SEVIS I-901 fee should be paid at least 3 days prior to your visa interview.
Once you pay, print a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt. Be sure to keep this with your F-1 documents and bring it to the visa appointment.
To pay your SEVIS fee, go to www.fmjfee.com
| Report your Arrival | Report your Arrival to UWF: F-1 and J-1 Students | All new international students, including transfer students, must report their arrival to UWF International Affairs. You will complete these steps after you arrive in the US. | After you complete all the steps, International Affairs will review your information. When all steps are completed, you will get a new I-20. This I-20 shows CONTINUED ATTENDANCE. This means that you are enrolled and studying at UWF. |
Health Insurance | international@uwf.edu | F-1 students must maintain health insurance coverage for the entire period of study/program. This includes breaks and annual vacation.
There are 2 options F-1 for health insurance. Option 1Payment Deadline: Insurance fees must be paid in full by August 22 for Fall semester and by January
14 for Spring/Summer. UWF F-1 students are automatically enrolled. The fee for this policy is added to your UWF student account. You must pay this fee in full.
Failure to comply with the payment deadline will result in immediate removal from all class enrollment. Payment options: - In person at the UWF Cashiers Office - cash or check only
- In Transact (formerly CashNet) - This is a two step process.
- Make payment in Transact (formerly CashNet)
- Email stuacct@uwf.edu to complete insurance payment.
Option 2Use your Own Insurance PlanDeadline: Waiver request forms and required documentation must be submitted by email no later than 5 pm UWF Time on August 1 for fall semester and no later than December 1 for Spring/Summer.
To submit the waiver request form: Click Here If your waiver request form is not approved, you must pay for the UWF policy. Please note that many less expensive plans may not be approved. If you purchase a plan that is not approved, a refund is not guaranteed. Check carefully before purchasing! Click here for more information on using your own insurance Email waivers@lewer.com if you have additional questions about submitting a waiver request form.
| Maintaining Required Insurance in F-1 or J-1 Visa Status
Resources for the UWF Policy with LewerMark Student Insurance Plan Click here The chat function is staffed live by LewerMark professionals. If you have any questions, this is a good first step to find information. - Print your ID card
- Helpful videos
- Search for a doctor
Resources to understand US Healthcare and Insurance UWF Student Health Services Frequently Asked Questions - If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER).
- For non-emergency care, visit Student Health Services, an urgent care or doctor's office.
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Transfer your I-20 to UWF | international@uwf.edu | Contact your current international student advisor. They need a copy of your admission letter to transfer your I-20 to the University of West Florida. Transferring a Form I-20 to UWF This page has Transfer Instructions and the UWF SEVIS school code. | Email international@uwf.edu to inform the advising team that you will be transferring your I-20. | Arrival at a US Port of Entry
Arrive in Pensacola | international@uwf.edu | You should always present your I-20 to a Customs and Border Protection Officer when you arrive in the US and state to the officer that you are entering as an F-1 student.
Arrive in Pensacola Pensacola is served by the Pensacola International Airport (PNS). You should plan to arrive at PNS as your final destination. PNS is served by connecting flights from several major Port-of-Entry airports around the U.S. If you arrive by plane, you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to your room. The fare ranges from $25-35 US dollars. UWF International Affairs is not able to provide airport pick up. If you plan on using bank cards and accounts from abroad, make sure they will work in the U.S. before travel. You will only need cash for food, taxi services, and emergencies. Do not travel with large amounts of cash. After you have your new address, you may open a checking account at a local bank.
| I-94 Arrival Form The Form I-94 shows your current admission to the U.S. You must print a new copy each time you arrive in the U.S. Contact International Programs immediately if your I-94 does not show D/S or Duration of Status for the Admit Until Date. Check out Study in the States for more information and the link to print your I-94: F-1 Students: Remember to Check for “D/S” on Your Form I-94.
UWF Campus Map If you are confirmed to live on campus, enter the building number or the name of your residence hall. Google Maps If you are living off campus, be sure to have the correct street address. |
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