• SEVIS
• Before Departing Your Country
• Student Organizations
• Admissions
• Billing
• Health Immunizations and Insurance* **Updated 6/16/07**
• Transportation from Airport
• Housing Options **Updated 6/22/07**

• Area around UMD & Campus Community
• Meals on campus
• Classes and Textbooks
• Student Employment
• Social Security Numbers
• Local Transportation
• Weather in Dartmouth
• Orientation Powerpoint Presentations
• Pre-Arrival Checklist

WHAT IS THE "SEVIS FEE?"
As of September 1, 2004, international F-1 and J-1 visa students at UMass Dartmouth with Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued on or past that date must pay a fee to the SEVIS program. You must do this before you apply for a visa to enter the country. SEVIS stands for the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a web-based database used for tracking and reporting foreign students in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees SEVIS.

HOW MUCH IS THE FEE?
DHS has set the SEVIS fee as follows:

• F-1 students - $100
• J-1 students - $100, except as noted below:
  • Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (example: Fulbright) - NONE
  • Summer work/travel program - $35
  • Au pair program - $35
  • Camp counselor program - $35
• For spouses and dependent children (F-2 & J-2) of students - NONE

WHO MUST PAY THE SEVIS FEE?
DHS has set the SEVIS fee as follows:

• Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for an "initial" visa from outside the U.S.
• Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20 or DS-2019 dated on or after on or after September 1, 2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category.
• Current F-1 students in the U.S. filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 or DS-2019 for reinstatement that is dated on or after September 1, 2004.

WHO DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FEE?
The following internationals do NOT have to pay the fee:

1. Spouses and dependent children on F-2 & J-2 visas.
2. Continuing F nonimmigrants who are maintaining legal status and whose initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 were issued prior to September 1, 2004 (Please note: This provision only applies to nonimmigrants returning to the U.S. to resume participation in a program that was previously begun, in which he/she has maintained legal status, and which has not yet been completed.)
3. Students or exchange visitors applying for an extension of stay in the same program.
4. Students or exchange visitors transferring from one institution to another while maintaining the same status and in the same category.
5. Students or exchange visitors coming to the United States in government-sponsored exchange programs (e.g., Fulbright).
6. Students or exchange visitors who already paid the SEVIS fee, whose visas are denied, and who subsequently reapply for the same visa within 12 months of the initial visa denial.

HOW DO YOU PAY THE FEE?
You can pay the SEVIS fee to DHS by mail or online, and you must include an I-901 form.

To Pay by Mail

1. Obtain an I-901 form at http://www.fmjfee.com/, or request by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the U.S.)
2. Complete the I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security."
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on the I-901 form.
5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed to you within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
6. To Pay Online
   
7. Find the I-901 form at http://www.fmjfee.com/.
8. Complete the I-901 online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019.
9. Print a copy of the online receipt.
10. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
11. To Pay at Western Union
    As of November 1, 2004, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is allowing Western Union to collect the SEVIS fee. This option is available in any country where Western Union offers its Quick Pay^TM service. Please visit http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm and follow their instructions if you would like to chose this option.

You may only pay the SEVIS fee in one the manners above. U.S. Embassies, Consulates and ports of entry cannot accept payments. Regardless of how the fee is paid, in order to apply for an F visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, an internationals will be required to show the receipt notice documenting that he/she has paid the SEVIS fee.

CAN A "THIRD PARTY" PAY THE FEE ON BEHALF OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OR EXCHANGE VISITOR?
Yes, a third party, such as an academic department, friend, or family member may pay the fee by mail or electronically using the I-901.

WILL THE DHS KEEP A RECORD OF MY PAYMENT ON FILE?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record, but we strongly recommend that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.

WHEN MUST THE FEE BE PAID?
You must pay the fee before you apply a visa stamp. But, you may schedule an appointment at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate before actually paying the fee. The payment must be received by DHS at least three business days before the date you report to the Embassy/Consulate for your visa interview.

For Canadian nationals who do not require a visa stamp to enter the United States, payment must be received by DHS at least three business days before the student or scholar applies at the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) for admission to the U.S.

Individuals applying through Citizenship and Immigration Services service centers for "change of status" to J-1, F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 status must pay the SEVIS fee before the service center will approve their applications. Please note: UMass Dartmouth does not support M visa types.

WHAT IF MY VISA IS DENIED?
If the visa is denied, the international student or exchange visitors will not get a refund of the SEVIS fee. DHS will only grant a refund when someone who did not need to pay a fee did so in error.

If you are denied a student/scholar visa, you can reapply for that same visa within a 12-month period and not have to pay the fee again.

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Before Departing Your Country
The U.S. government has suggestions for departing your country. Click here for that information.

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Student Organizations
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.

Students from China may get more information from the Chinese Student and Scholar Association’s by contacting Yani Feng at

fyani@umassd.edu

If you are from one of these countries, you may make contact, and these students may offer useful information. We have international students from many other parts of the world who have also volunteered to contact students, so if you would like to have someone contact you, e-mail the International Student Center.

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Admissions Process Questions
If you still have questions regarding the admissions process including your initial I-20, you should contact Carol Novo for Graduate Admissions or Steve Kesman for Undergraduate Admissions. Questions regarding assistantships should be addressed directly to the academic department. You may find the department contacts at the university’s home page at http://www.umassd.edu/academics/colleges.

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Billing

Wire Transfer Proces

Routing Number:                             026009593   

E-MAIL QUESTIONS:  Bursar's Office - cbernado@umassd.edu  or  Enrollment Service Center- mcordeiro@umassd.edu

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Required Health Immunizations and Insurance
Massachusetts state law requires that all students must have health insurance and must be immunized for the following:

• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus diptheria
• Hepatitis B
• Chicken Pox*

*Due to the "Chicken Pox" disease outbreaks the past two years, the University requires that you have proof from your health care provider that you have had the "chicken pox" disease or that you have had the Varicella Vaccine, or have proof of a positive titer. Please have your health care provider fill out this section on the Health Services Immunization Form.

Also, all new students must read the enclosed information about Bacterial Meningitis and either sign the declination, declining the vaccine, or they may chose to recieve it. Please click here for more information on this.

Health care in the United States is very expensive. All international students are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance. You will be automatically billed the $1286 USD for this insurance on your bill from the university. This fee covers from August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008.

Health Services has limited resources to assist with these required vaccines and urges students to begin to recieve these immunizations in their home countries if they do not have documention to show that they are either immune or have recieved the vaccines.

Please be sure that you complete your entire Health Form before you mail it back to the Health Center.

You will not be able to register and attend classes until it is completed and on file in the Health Center. Please e-mail the Health Center at CKennedy@umassd.edu with any questions regarding insurance coverage or immunization forms. Visit the Health Service's website here.

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Transportation to campus from the Airport
Most students fly into Logan International Airport, in the city of Boston. UMass Dartmouth is one hour south, by car or bus. The International Student Center does not provide transportation, and therefore strongly recommends that you arrange transportation before you arrive in the U.S.

If someone is not picking you up, do not take a taxi from Boston to UMass Dartmouth, because it is very expensive: over $150 USD. UMass Dartmouth students recommend public transportation because it costs less. The Bonanza Bus line runs from Logan Airport to Fall River and costs $22 USD (scroll below). When you arrive in Fall River, you may take the SRTA bus line #9 to UMass Dartmouth, or the appropriate bus line to wherever your housing will be.

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Housing Options
It is important for you to have made arrangements for permanent housing before you arrive in the U.S., or else have money to stay in a hotel in the area 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 this extremely helpful and less expensive than on-campus housing. Be sure to read the guide to renting apartments and rooms. For additional information regarding tenant's 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. Costs for on-campus housing are as follows:

The Office of Housing and Residential life has recently introduced a thematic Housing option called the "Graduate Housing" which has been designated for graduate students in the Cedar Dell West Apartments.For additional information on thematic housing and signing contract Click here.

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. You may contact Nicole Pelaggi with any questions at Nicole.Pelaggi@UMassd.edu.

There are certain times during vacations in the academic year and during the summer when staying in the residence halls are not covered by the housing contract. International Students may make special arrangements with the housing office to stay on campus for an additional weekly fee. For more details on the terms and conditions of staying in housing, please visit http://www.umassd.edu/housing/termsconditions/termscond0809.cfm.

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UMass Dartmouth area guide & campus community
This website http://www.umassd.edu/visitors/ is useful for new UMass Dartmouth students. This visitor guide gives you more informational links about the area that might be useful to look up to before your arrival in UMass Dartmouth. Graduate and Undergraduate International students could also get additional visitor information from http://www.umassd.edu/graduate/visitorsguide.cfm

Also, please visit http://www.umassd.edu/campus/ to get a better sense of what kinds of events and traditions you may see at UMD.

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Meals on Campus
Graduate students who choose to live on-campus do not have to buy a meal plan. However, there are several locations to eat on campus. You can find this information at http://www.umassd.edu/food.

There are several large grocery markets near the campus: Stop and Shop http://www.stopandshop.com/ and Shaw’s Market http://www.shaws.com/.

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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. 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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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 Center has information regarding the process necessary for working off campus.

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Social Security Numbers
In order to work in the United States, every individual must have a Social Security Number. In order to successfully apply, you must have proof of an offer of employment. According 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 Center. If you do not have an offer of employment, you will be ineligible 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

Bonanza Bus line
Buses departing Logan airport stop at the designated bus stops along the Lower Terminal, beginning at Terminal B.

Monday through Friday

Logan Airport to Fall River

Depart Logan

Arrive Fall River

9:15 am
11:00 am
1:15 pm
5:00 pm
7:30 pm

12:30 am
2:30 pm
5:30 pm
7:30 pm
9:30 pm

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

Logan Airport to Fall River

Depart Logan

Arrive Fall River

9:15 am
11:00 am
1:15 pm
7:30 pm

12:30 am
2:30 pm
5:30 pm
9:30 pm

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 gratuity.

Blue Bird Taxi
Blue Bird Taxi is a service based in New Bedford. They currently offer a flat rate of $10 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. However, you must have a student ID. Their phone number is 508-999-1124. It is customary to give gratuity.

Weather in Dartmouth

The weather 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 are adequately prepared to handle whatever New England weather may be like. For information on current weather conditions in Dartmouth, please visit: http://www.umassd.edu/weather/

Orientation Powerpoint Presentations

Here you can download the information that was presented at orientation.

Culture Shock   Social Security

F-1 Regulations   How to Write a Check

Money

*If you were not present at orientation, it is still incumbent upon you to make an appointment to meet with Ms. Tina Bruen so that you fully understand the U.S. Government regulations.

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