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Current Students attending UCCS |
Student's Responsibilities (F1 Students)
Maintaining Status
It is very important that you adhere to the following rules in order to stay in status. If you do not, depending on the circumstances, it may be very difficult to re-instate your status. If have any questions about maintaining status please contact ISS.
- Have a valid passport and visa at all times unless you are exempt from the passport or visa requirements.
- Remain a full-time student, undergraduate students must be enrolled at least 12 credit hours and graduate students must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours.
- You must notify ISS if you plan to drop a class. You MUST get permission to drop below full time status. If you do not get permission you will fall out-of-status.
- You must notify ISS and Admissions and Records of any address and email changes within 10 days.
- You must notify ISS if you will not be graduating as planned. You will need a extension to be approve PRIOR to the end date listed on your I-20.
- You must alert ISS if you plan to transfer.
- You must notify ISS if were offered a job.
- You must notify ISS if you are leaving the U.S. and later provide copies of your new documents (passport/visa and new I-94 card) once you return to Colorado Springs.
Working in the United States
Please refer to the Employment page for employment requirements
Travel and Re-entry
If you are planning to depart and re-enter the U.S., it is very important to have the following documents with you travel :
- A valid Passport
- A valid Visa. (Make sure your visa will not expire before you return to the U.S. and that it is marked for multiple entries.)
- A valid I-20. (Make sure page 3 has been signed by ISS Director within 6 months.)
Insurance
F1 Students at UCCS are asked to have some type of medical insurance. It is not required but it is highly recommended. Medical bills are very expensive if you do not have medical insurance.
Here are some following insurance companies websites:
www.uscampus.com/study_live/healthinsurance/insurance_what.htm
Immunizations
During the your first semester you must provide UCCS Student Health Center proof of MMR shot records by Colorado State Law.
For immunizations information please refer to the Student Health Center website.
Driver's License
Information
To obtain a Colorado Driver's License you must show proof of auto insurance of your car. It does cost to get a Driver's License; $21.00 and the Colorado Id Card; $10.50. You must bring all your documents, i.e.; Passport, I-20, I-94 immigration paperwork and any current driver's license with you to verify your identity.
*Note* Canadian, German and French driver's licenses are honored and may be "swapped out" for Colorado Driver's License. However, testing may be required but it is also based on a case to case basis.
Locations and more info can be found at this website: http://car.elpasoco.com/Motor_Vehicle/
Banking in America
Opening a bank account is one of the first priorities for any international student arriving in the United States. Most Americans don't carry a lot of cash for security reasons. In place of cash, Americans use credit cards, debit cards and checks. To pay bills you will at least need a checking account.
Checking Accounts
A checking account allows you to pay your bills, entertainment and living costs with US currency. There are many different checking accounts available. Banks can charge you for every transaction or monthly fee for the checking account. Some banks allow free services if you maintain a minimum balance ($500-$2500). If you have a social security card/number you can go to any banking institution to open an account.
If you do not have social security card/number the following banks offer specials to international students:
- Wells Fargo- Garden of Gods Location
- Bank One/ Chase
With a checking account, you can withdraw money using a check or a debit card. You will receive a set of checks from the bank with your name and address. It's very important that track of your deposits and withdrawals. You can only spend how much is in your checking account. (A checking account is not a credit card.) If you spend more than what you have in your account, you will "bounce" that check. "Bouncing" a check means that the check will be return to and not paid by your bank. It also means that you will be billed additional charges by your bank.
Debit Cards (ATM Cards)
A debit card works exactly like a check, expect you don't have to write anything out and you use a card for every transaction. Every transaction that you make with your card will be deducted from your checking account. If you spend more than what you have in your account, you will "bounce" that transaction, just like check. With a debit card/ATM card, it allows you to withdraw cash and deposit funds into your account from a ATM throughout the country.
Credit Cards
There is a big difference between a credit card and debit cad. When you use a credit card, you are billed for that amount and your have a grace period of about 20-25 days to pay the amount before interest is charged. It is very hard for international students to get a credit card. Many companies worry that international students will return to their homes without paying off their debt. You can use your debit card as a credit card in most situations. For more information: http://www.uscampus.com/study_live/studylive_banking2.htm .
Source: US Campus, Study Live, Banking Services
Last Updated: 10/12/2007 03:07 PM
