Before
You Leave
| Transportation
| Accommodations
| Financial
Health Matters
| Academic Matters
| Maintaining Lawful Status
In Case of Emergency
Before
You Leave
Obtaining a Visa
In order to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must present the
following documents at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate:
 Passport
valid for at least another six months past the date when you plan
to begin your studies at DU. If your passport is about to
expire, be sure to get a new one, or an extension, before applying
for your visa.
Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the school where you plan to
attend.
Recent
(less that a year old) documents indicating financial support, i.e.
original bank letter(s) or scholarship award letter(s).
Receipt for SEVIS fee payment: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
As it can take several weeks or even months to
obtain a U.S. visa, you should begin the visa application as early
as possible. Once approved, the visa is placed in your passport.
Canadian students who enter from Canada are exempt from having to
get a visa but first must use the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to enter
the US in F-1 or J-1 student status and secondly must obtain a Form
I-94 from the port of entry clearly indicating F-1 or J-1. If you
have a valid B-1/2 visa (business/tourist visa) in your passport,
do not use it for travel to the United States if your intention
is to study.
Note: If you enter the United States using an I-20
from the University of Denver you are obligated to attend DU for
at least one term before you can transfer to another academic institution.
Failure to follow these procedures is a violation of status and
may require you to apply to the immigration service for reinstatement.
Official Arrival Date
You must arrive in the United States by at least the report
date indicated on your Form I-20. Your officiall DU orientation
begins the next day, but it is recommended that you arrive several
days earlier, especially if your department has requested that you
do so. You may arrive in the United States as early as 30 days prior
to the official report date indicated on your immigration documents
(I-20 or DS-2019).
Baggage and Mail
Baggage and mail may be sent in your name, c/o International
Student and Scholar Services, University of Denver, 2200 S. Josephine
St., Denver, CO 80208. If you ship your baggage, use a reliable carrier that will ensure
proper customs clearance and delivery. Be sure to purchase insurance
protection for your shipment. Plan for items not arriving more than
2 weeks before the start of classes, as we have limited storage
facilities.
Climate and Clothing
Denver's climate is dry and sunny most of the time, although
it is subject to wide variations. Temperatures can range from -23°
to 15+° C during the winter. Snow is frequent but usually does
not last long. Spring, summer, and fall temperatures range from
4°+ to 35+° C, with warm, sunny afternoons and cool nights
and mornings. Dress on campus tends to be informal: jeans and sportswear
are most commonly worn.
What to Pack
Here are some suggested items to pack:
 1-2 formal outfits
National clothing, crafts, and artifacts
Clothes including trousers, shirts, shorts, jacket, sweaters
Language dictionary
A few basic kitchen items
Basic bedding (light blanket, sheet)
Photos of family, special personal items
Doctor's prescriptions (in English, if possible), medicines, extra
pairs of eye glasses
International driver's license (if you have one)
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Transportation
Entering the US - What to do at the US Port of Entry
Be ready to present your passport, visa, your Certificate of
Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) SEVIS fee receipt and supporting documentation.
It is important that you carry your documents with you; do not place
them in your luggage. You will be given a Form I-94 to complete
either before your arrival or upon arrival in the United States.
The top portion of form I-94 will be kept by immigration, and the
bottom portion will be stamped and returned to you. The bottom portion
should be appropriately stamped F-1 or J-1 and the letters D/S should
be written next to the stamp. Your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 should
also be stamped and noted with the same designation as on your portion
of Form I-94.
If the bottom portion of Form I-94 is not returned
to you, or if a specific expiration date is marked on Form I-94
instead of D/S, ask the immigration inspector for clarification.
Do not leave the immigration area at the port of entry unless your
documents are in order; if there is a problem, it is much easier
to take care of it before you leave the immigration area. Keep the
your portion of the I-94 with your passport at all times.
Airport Arrival and Special Needs
As a way to assist you upon your arrival to Denver International
Airport (DIA) and the City of Denver, our office would like to provide
you with a Welcome
to Denver Packet and help you with any special needs.
First, please print and carry with you the Welcome to Denver Packet
as it has helpful information for your first days of settling in.
Secondly, If you have special needs (e.g. physical disability or
challenge, English language difficulty, traveling with spouse and
children, first time overseas, etc.) and would like to be met/transported
from the Denver International Airport to your metro area destination
(e.g. DU Residenc Hall or local hotel), please email isss@du.edu
(subject line: Airport Arrival).
Transportation from the Airport
There are several ways to reach the DU campus from the Airport:
-
Airport Shuttles: Shared van services which generally cost $25 - $35.
- Public Transportation: The Regional Transportation District offers public buses to and from the Airport. At least one bus connection is required: allow a minimum of two hours to arrive on campus. One-way fare will cost $7 - $11, depending on your final destination. To plan your route, visit rtd-denver.com.
- Hotel Shuttles: If you are staying at a hotel,
check with your hotel for information on courtesy shuttles from
Denver International Airport.
-
Taxi ride: Taxi's provide the most direct service to campus. Fares are more expensive: expect to pay a minimum of $50, however if you are arriving with multiple passengers this may prove cost-efficient. Taxi's may be hailed in the ground transportation area outside the airport entrance.
For more airport
information or for ground
transport information visit the Denver International Airport
online.
In
Case of Emergency!
Upon your arrival or on your way to Denver, should you have an emergency
and need to contact a representative of International Student and
Scholar Services (ISSS), please call the Office of Internationalization
reception desk at 303-871-4912. If you are calling outside of normal
University business hours (Monday - Friday from 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.),
please listen to instructions on the voice mail message about how
to reach an ISSS representative in an emergency.
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Accommodations
Short-Term: Motels & Hotels
If you need to stay temporarily in a motel, we recommend you
contact one of the following motels to make a reservation before
arriving in Denver. When making reservations ask for the DU student
rate. (Prices are subject to change without notice.)
-
La
Quinta Inn (1-866-725-1661), $47-$73/night, 1975 S.
Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222, Tel: (303)758-8886, fax: (303)756-2711
-
Fairfield Inn (1-866-725-1661), $70-$87/night + tax,
1680 S. Colorado Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80222, Tel: (303) 691-2223, fax: (303) 691-0062
-
-
Holiday
Inn Select $85-$100/night + tax, 455 S. Colorado Blvd.,
Denver, CO 80246, Tel: (303)388-5561, fax: (303)388-7936
- Staybridge
Suites (extended stay available) (1-888-565-6159):
$71-$143/night + tax, 4220 E. Virginia Ave., Denver, Colorado
80246, Tel: (303) 321-5757, fax: (303) 321-1317
-
Long-Term: Apartments and Residence Halls
Finding housing can be a challenge due to high demand and limited
supply on campus. You have two main options: 1) on-campus
housing or 2) off-campus housing. Below some general information
about these two options.
On-Campus Housing
If you plan to live on campus, you need to apply to
the Department of Residence as early as possible. University housing
is in short supply and demand is extremely high. To find out more
about on-campus housing opportunities, visit the Department
of Housing website
International Living and Learning Community: Designed
for undergraduate students, this unique environment houses international
and domestic students who are interested in international issues.
For first year undergraduate students, the International Living and Learning Community
is an excellent way to connect with other students, both U.S. American
and international, the DU community and the greater community of
Denver. For more information, visit http://www.du.edu/intliving
If you do make arrangements to live on campus,
and wish to check-in before regular housing check-in, you will need
to contact the Housing office directly. For early move-in, you
will also need to apply for a student Pioneer ID before checking
in. Visit the Pioneer Office at: http://www.du.edu/pioneercard
If you decide to sign a housing contract, you are obligated to fulfill
that contract, even if you later decide you wish to live off-campus.
Before signing any paperwork, be certain that you wish to live on
campus for the entire year.
Off-Campus Housing
Many apartment complexes require prospective residents to
provide a social security number for the purpose of a credit check.
Unfortunately, international students cannot apply for a social
security card until classes have begun and proof of an on-campus
job or an offer of an on campus job has been submitted to International
Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). After meeting the above mentioned requirements, ISSS will prepare
a letter which you may present to apartment complexes to explain
this process (available for download at http://www.du.edu/intl/isss/ssninfo.pdf).
You may also request the apartment complex manager to contact ISSS
staff for clarification if necessary. Please note that many apartment complexes will also require proof
of funds from a bank before renting an apartment.
Off-campus housing generally needs to be arranged after
coming to Denver. If you plan to live off-campus, you should arrive
in Denver at least a week or two before classes start in order to
find suitable living accommodations and to make the necessary rental
and transportation arrangements. Off-campus housing options include:
(a) rooms in private residences, (b)
apartments which can be rented by an individual or shared by 2 to
4 students depending on the lease options of the apartment complex.
It is reasonable to expect off-campus housing to cost between $400
to $1000 per month, depending on the size of the apartment and number
of people sharing the expenses, which normally include monthly rent
and utility bills (water, phone, electricity, gas). A background/credit check fee and security deposit (usually one
month's rent) are also required for most off-campus housing. In
addition, utilities companies (phone, electricity, etc.) may require
deposits in advance.
For information on off-campus
housing, the University has a list of apartments near campus.
You can also search Internet-based apartment search engines such
as www.rent.net
or www.apartmentguide.com.
You can also search the classified advertising section of the local
newspapers, the Rocky
Mountain News and the Denver
Post.
Additionaly, we have compiled a list of local apartments
that do not require
social security number.
To rent an apartment, you usually must sign a lease.
A lease, which is a binding contract, is required for a fixed period,
commonly 12 months but also sometimes available in 6 and 3 month
options. Leases obligate you to pay rent for the term of the lease
even if you move out of the apartment. Please read and understand
the lease before you sign it. For information on renting an apartment, see the Colorado Public
Interest Group Renters
Guide.
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Financial
Matters
Expenses
For the latest breakdown on costs, consult the International
Admissions website
Tuition payment is due each quarter following registration.
The DU Bursar's Office accepts traveler's checks, personal checks,
money orders, bank drafts, as forms of payment. It is also possible
to wire the money directly from your bank to the DU Bursar's Office.
Wire payments with student name, student number and information
below to:
WellsFargo Bank Denver, WellsFargo Center,
1700 Broadway, Denver, CO 80274;
Recipient: University of Denver;
Routing Number: 102000076;
Account Number:1010892473;
Swift Code: WFB IUS6S
Please be aware that U.S. banks may freeze funds
deposited from overseas banks for several weeks. Therefore, you
should bring a credit card or travelers checks to cover initial
settling-in expenses. Do not carry large amounts of currency
with you. If you have a bank draft made payable to the
University of Denver, you must wait several weeks to receive reimbursement
for any amount exceeding what is owed to DU
Sufficient Funds
Students will need to arrive on campus with enough money to
cover all their expenses. You must have access to the funds you
documented in your financial verification. If you arrive without
sufficient funds, we do not have means to advance you funds, and
you may have to return home. To avoid financial problems, we recommend that students bring 1/3
of their funds in traveler's checks or have the funds be accessible
through a credit/debit card.
Students with assistantships still need to bring enough funds for
settling-in expenses because they may not receive a paycheck for
several weeks. Please do not rely on on-campus employment to meet
your expenses. Also, students should not rely on obtaining employment
or financial aid to make up any deficiency in funding.
Employment
International students as a rule have few employment opportunities
in the US. Students in F-1 and J-1 status may work part-time on-campus
when school is in session and full-time during vacation periods.
However, jobs on campus are extremely limited, and many students
who want to work cannot find employment.
Off-campus work is permitted only on a limited basis after completing
one academic year and requires authorization from either the Bureau
of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) or International
Student and Scholar Services(ISSS).
Financial Aid
International undergraduate students are generally not eligible
for financial aid from DU. International graduate students may apply
for Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships through their academic
departments. However, assistantships are limited, and they are usually
reserved for currently enrolled students. Graduate students should contact their academic departments directly
for more information.
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Health Matters
Insurance
The University of Denver requires all students to carry adequate
health insurance. DU offers its own insurance plan, but students
can elect to use an alternative plan as long as it meets DU requirements.
Information on other health insurance plans offered through U.S.
insurance companies is available in the U.S. Another alternative
might be purchasing health insurance in your home country which
covers you in the US. Spouses and children of students must also
be adequately insured. We recommend you carefully investigate this
issue yourself and compare insurance costs before leaving your country.
For more details about the health insurance requirement, visit the
Student
Health Center website
Medical Clinic
The University of Denver runs an on-campus medical clinic, called
the Student Health Service. It is staffed by highly qualified doctors,
nurses, and technicians.
Undergraduate students are required to pay a health fee which covers
general medical and general gynecological services and most in-house
testing. Graduate students may choose to either pay the health fee
or pay for services on an as-needed basis.
Proof of Vaccination
All students born after 1956 are required to show proof of 2
vaccinations each for measles (rubeola), mumps, and German measles
(rubella). Both doses must have been administered after 12 months
of age, and at least one month apart or longer.
Proof of having had any of these diseases is not sufficient. It
is also possible to get the vaccinations done at the Student Health
Service for a fee. For questions about the vaccination requirement,
contact the Student Health Service at Tel: (303) 871-2205, fax:
(303) 871-4242 or visit the Student
Health Service website
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Academic
Matters
Academic Advising
Prior to registering for classes, and in addition to International
Student Orientation, you will need to meet with your academic advisor
to discuss your program of study. Undergraduate students receive
their initial advising during the Discoveries
Program.
Graduate students will have different arrangements depending on
the Department; contact your respective departmental office for
more information.
English Placement Test
Students who are non-native speakers of English with TOEFL scores
below 550 must take the English Placement Test before registering.
This test will determine if you must take any additional English
as a Second Language courses and how much, if any, English transfer
credit you will receive. Please refer to your admission letter about
the specific conditions of your admission as it relates to the English
language requirements.
For questions on this test, please contact the
International Admission Office at Tel: (303) 871-2790, fax: (303)
871-3301.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credits are evaluated only after the International
Admission Office receives the official and final transcripts from
your previous educational institution(s). Transcripts sent by the
student cannot be accepted as official documents.
Undergraduates: You will receive a transfer credit evaluation in
the mail. Bring this with you to the Discoveries academic advising
session. This evaluation is only preliminary; therefore, you should
bring detailed syllabi and course outlines with you to assist departments
in finalizing the transfer of credits. Please note that no credit
is awarded for secondary education. For questions on undergraduate
transfer credit, please contact the International Admissions Office
at Tel: (303) 871-2790, fax: (303) 871-3301.
Graduate Students: Your respective academic department evaluate
transfer credits. Bring detailed syllabi and course outlines with
you to assist the department in awarding transfer credit. Contact
your academic department for more information.
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Maintaining
Lawful Status
F-1 and J-1 students must be enrolled full-time during Fall, Winter
and Spring terms to maintain their lawful status. The minimum requirement
for undergraduate studies is 12 credit hours and for graduate studies
is 8 credit hours each semester.
The
I-20 (for F-1 students) and DS-2019 (for J-1 students) specifies
a date by which the program of study must be completed.
An extension
of program beyond the date mentioned on the I-20 or DS-2019 should
be requested for in our office 60 days prior to the expiration date.
It is extremely important for nonimmigrant students to understand
their rights and responsibilities for maintaining lawful status.
Students
must obtain authorization before commencing any off-campus employment.
For
more details, please refer to the Rules
and Regulations website.
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