Global Scholars Comprehensive Guide

Before your arrival, we want to ensure you're well prepared and everything is ready for you here. We understand that you may feel overwhelmed by the stream of information. In addition to this comprehensive guide, you will also receive emails to remind you at which step of the process you should be.

Please consult this guide for any concerns you may have and if you require further assistance, feel free to email us at ritglobal@rit.edu any time or by sending us a message via WhatsApp at +1 585 743 7663 from Monday to Friday, from 10:00AM EDT to 2:00PM EDT.

As an international student you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa. We can only start the process to issue your immigration document after you accept your offer of acceptance into the Global Scholar program and we receive the required documents:

• Scanned copy of the bio page of your passport  
• Financial document that shows a balance of:
  • For Fall only:  at least USD$8,371  
  • For Fall & Spring: at least USD$17,313
  • The financial document must be dated January 24 or later. 
• Please ensure that the account owner's name is clearly stated, along with the currency type and the account balance, in a way that is easily understandable.
• If the document is not in your name, please also include a support letter from the owner of the account stating that they will be financially responsible for you during your time in Rochester. Here is a sample text for this letter:

“I (NAME OF THE PERSON THAT OWNS THE ACCOUNT) will be financially responsible for (THE STUDENT’S NAME) during their time at RIT Rochester.”

Once we receive the required documents, it will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to process and issue your I-20. You can expect to receive your I-20 between mid and late May, providing you with around eight  weeks to complete the visa application process. You must be diligent with the process if you want to obtain your F-1 student visa in time to start classes.

You will receive your I-20 digitally. Make sure to check your RIT e-mail often. The e-mail containing your I-20 as well as instructions on how to pay the SEVIS fee will come from one of the advisors at the International Student Services Office.

Before you apply

Your I-20 is required when applying for an F-1 student visa at an American embassy or consulate and for entry into the United States. The I-20 form includes your SEVIS ID number, which is the number in the upper corner above the bar code, (usually starts with an N).

Thoroughly review your I-20 to make sure all of the information is correct. Print and sign the form at the bottom of page 1. If you have any questions, please contact the ISS adviser who emailed your I-20.

The Application Process

Complete DS-160:

The first step in applying for a U.S. visa is the online application DS-160.

Access the DS-160 application at the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

Read Frequently Asked Questions about the DS-160.

Tips for Filling Out Your DS-160

Below are suggested answers you are welcome to use when you fill out this form. Please be aware that you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of information you provide in this form.

U.S.  address or point of contact

Use this:
Megan Kless
International Student Services
Rochester Institute of Technology
42 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623

Phone: 585-475-6943

Address where you will stay in the U.S.

If you know where you will stay, use that address. If you have not yet secured your housing at the time of your visa appointment you may use the University’s address as listed on your I-20. 

Person/entity paying for your trip

List your primary source of funding as it appears on your I-20.

Schedule your visa interview appointment

The next step in applying for a U.S. visa is making an appointment at your closest U.S. embassy or consulate. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country rather than a third country if possible.

At this appointment you will need to present the following documents:

• Your I-20 form
• The SEVIS fee receipt (I-901)
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• A copy of your financial support documents, i.e. evidence that you have sufficient funds to meet the expenses of studying at RIT Rochester, e.g. bank statement or your scholarship award letter.
• A valid passport
• Passport-size photographs (that you uploaded in the DS-160 application)
• Completed required visa application forms (available on the U.S. consular websites.)

Check the website of the U.S. consulate/embassy where you are applying to see if there are other requirements.

An application fee and an interview will also be required. There have been (and continue to be) changes in the visa application process and these changes are usually reflected on the consular websites.

Find the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Find the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate.

Attend Your interview

• Attend your scheduled visa interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate. Here are 10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa
• Check the visa in your passport to make sure that all the information on it is correct. If the information is not correct it can only be changed at the embassy or consulate that issued your visa.
• Your I-20 should be returned to you. You will need it to enter the U.S.

Special Considerations

Entering the US early

You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the starting date noted on the I-20 form. If you try to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before this starting date, you may not be permitted to enter the U.S.

Enter the US by the I-20 start date

You must pay particular attention to the starting date noted on your I-20 form, as you must enter the U.S. by this date. If you cannot enter the U.S. by this date, please get in touch with ISS about the process for changing your start date.

If the U.S. consulate has any questions regarding your studies at RIT, please contact ISS and RIT Global. If your visa application is delayed or denied for any reason, please email your ISS advisor and RIT Global immediately.

*If you are coming back for Spring 25 there’s no need for you to move out or renew your housing contract. The fall contract carries over to Spring

• As a Global Scholar, you can start working on your course schedule for the upcoming semester when shopping carts open, even if you have not received your I-20 certificate yet. 
• Keep in mind that first-semester Global Scholars must wait until open enrollment to be able to enroll in classes. If you stay for a second semester as a Global Scholar, you'll receive an enrollment appointment based on your year level, similar to other RIT students. 
• It's important to note that seats cannot be reserved exclusively for Global Scholars, and program participants cannot be granted exceptions to course prerequisites, restrictions, or requirements.
• Be sure to consult your home campus academic advisor to review your course plans and available options. If you have questions about a specific course, your advisor will reach out to the relevant academic department at RIT Rochester.
• The only exception is for students in the Applied Arts and Science program, who will connect with an RIT Main campus academic advisor once their participation is confirmed. This advisor will assist them with registration.
• Remember to include your home campus advisor in all communications with the main campus advisor.
• If you're considering pursuing a minor at RIT Main that isn't available at your home campus, plan ahead and discuss your intentions with your global campus advisor. They can assist you in coordinating your plans effectively.
• Don't forget to take advantage of the Tiger Center, an online portal designed specifically for RIT students by RIT students. Here, you can browse the course catalog, compare options, track your academic progress with the GPA calculator, access your academic history, and explore additional campus resources. I assure you that taking a few minutes to explore this site will be worthwhile.

Within 3-4 weeks after receiving your acceptance, you'll receive an email from Grace McQueen, the Global Scholar’s contact at the housing office, on how to apply for on-campus housing. Until you receive this email, kindly refrain from inquiring about housing-related matters, as the housing office will provide you with all the necessary information and steps to follow. You will not have access to the Housing Portal until you receive the email.

If once you receive the email, you have any questions about the application process or further down the line about your housing placement, visit  help.rit.edu  and submit a ticket. You will get a response, usually, within 24 hours.

Here are a few important points to keep in mind when applying for on-campus housing:

1. The housing office will make every effort to accommodate your preferences, but please understand that housing assignments are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
2. If you have a specific roommate request, both you and your desired roommate must request each other through the housing portal. While the Housing Office willl do their best to honor such requests, they are not guaranteed due to availability constraints.
3. During the application process, you'll have the option to opt-in or opt-out of co-ed housing. If you choose to live in a co-ed setting, you'll be sharing your living space with students of the opposite gender.
4. Understand the difference between "single" and "double" housing options. A single room is a private bedroom within a suite or apartment, while a double room means sharing a bedroom with another student.
5. For new Global Scholars starting in the fall semester, you'll receive your housing assignment over the summer, before the start of the semester. If you're only staying for the fall semester, you'll need to apply for housing for the entire academic year, but don't worry – you won't be penalized for leaving in the spring.
6. For new Global Scholars starting in the spring semester, you'll receive your housing assignment before the semester begins, potentially up to a week before the start date. So don’t worry if January 1st comes around and you haven’t gotten an assignment yet.
7. When checking in at the housing office to collect your keys, remember to mention that you're a Global Scholar, as you'll need to ask for a bedding bag containing essential bedding items (all new and sealed), such as a pillow, comforter, bedding, and towels.
8. Cancellation: We understand that plans may change, and you may need to cancel your RIT Housing contract. Rest assured, if you can't make it to Rochester, canceling your housing contract won't result in any expenses for you. 

If you initially apply for on-campus housing but later decide to live off-campus, you can cancel your housing application at any time before receiving an assignment without incurring any fees. Additionally, you have a two-day window after receiving your housing assignment to cancel without any penalty.

We encourage you to review the on-campus housing options and rates available to you. Please note that some housing choices may require a mandatory meal plan, so factor this into your budgeting considerations. 

To assist you in making an informed decision, we've provided a helpful comparison tool for your convenience.

Off-Campus Housing

If you're considering living off-campus, please note that we won't be able to provide assistance throughout the process. Should any issues arise, we regret that we won't be able to offer support. Additionally, if you choose an unfurnished apartment, we won't be able to assist with furniture purchase or movement.

For your convenience, we've compiled a list of apartment complexes near RIT:

Nearby Complexes:
Apex
Park Point
The Province

Other Options; The complexes listed below are about 5 km from campus but they offer shuttle service to campus:
The Lodge
The Marshall

We encourage you to explore these options further by visiting their respective websites if you're interested in off-campus living.

Health Forms

In late May or early June, expect a Welcome email from the Student Health Center (SHC) containing important information. This email will grant you access to the Wellness Portal, where you'll find the necessary forms and requirements from the SHC. The most crucial document to submit is your immunization records. If you don't have them, consider contacting your parents or relatives who might have copies from your childhood. Refer to the list of required immunizations here, please note that some immunizations require more than one shot.

It's advisable to complete all required immunizations and the Tuberculosis (TB) screening in your home country to avoid complications upon arrival and because it might be more cost-effective. Health services like vaccines and blood tests are often cheaper outside the US.

Once you upload your documents to the Wellness Portal, you won't receive a confirmation from the Student Health Center. It's your responsibility to check the portal for updates. Approved documents will display green check marks, while yellow indicates pending clearance, and red denotes rejection or missing items. If any documents are missing, the SHC will email you with further instructions. If you notice a red cross next to a mandatory document and you haven’t received an email, contact the SHC directly.

For all questions regarding health forms, email studenthealth@rit.edu for assistance. Avoid sending duplicate records, and please allow a few days for the SHC staff to respond to email queries.

Please note that health information is legally protected in the US, and RIT Global doesn't have access to the Wellness Portal or any uploaded information. We cannot confirm the accuracy of your submitted immunizations. However, the SHC is always available to address your concerns.

Note: Leave the health insurance section blank on the form, you won't receive your policy number until after you arrive in RIT.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all international students at RIT. If you're a full-time international undergraduate or graduate student, you'll be automatically enrolled in the RIT Aetna Student Health Plan.

Upon your active registration, you'll be automatically enrolled in RIT's Aetna Student Health Plan, and your coverage will be activated accordingly. The associated costs will be billed to your student account.

However, if you're an American citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), the automatic enrollment doesn't apply to you. In this case, you'll need to manually sign up for the insurance plan. It's strongly advised to have health insurance due to the potentially high healthcare expenses in the US.

For any inquiries about coverage, please review the information on the Case Management page or reach out using to casemanagement@rit.edu with any questions.

Signing up for Health Insurance if you are an American Citizen or American Permanent Resident: 

Students exempted from automatic enrollment may enroll in the plan on a voluntary basis (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!):

1. Go to www.gallagherstudent.com/RIT. 
2. Click ‘International Student Waive/Domestic Student Enroll’ 
3. Log in by following the instructions on the website.  
4. Select either "Domestic Student Enroll - Add Charge to my RIT Account" or "Domestic Student Enroll - Direct Pay" based on your preferred method of payment. 
5. Follow the instructions to complete the form. 
6. Save a copy of your reference number. 

Dental Insurance

The health insurance plan doesn't cover dental care costs. However, RIT suggests the Student Dental plan, offering affordable dental care through Excellus Dental Blue network dentists near campus. To sign up, complete a paper form and mail it to Excellus. Once enrolled, you'll receive bills directly from Excellus, and payments should be made directly to them. Note that the Student Dental plan cannot be charged to your student account.

While optional, we highly recommend considering the Student Dental Plan. Dental expenses in the US can be pricey, with some students facing unexpected bills over $1,000 due to dental issues.

You'll still pay tuition to your home campus. Below is a list of mandatory fees payable directly to RIT Rochester.

Explanation of Fees

Program Fee University Partners Exchange - $500
This fee covers all expenses related to field trips, professional development activities, outings, and other special events exclusively organized for Global Scholars, such as visits to Niagara Falls, group events, etc.

For Global Scholars residing in RIT housing, this fee also covers linens such as comforters, bed sheets, pillows, and towels.

If you are staying for two consecutive semesters, this fee will only be charged once.

Student Health Services Fee - $275/per semester 

All full time undergraduate students in a degree program are charged the Student Health Services Fee to provide support for programs and services offered by the Student Health Center, Student Counseling and Psychological Services and for health promotion initiatives.  The fee covers unlimited office visits to the Student Health Center and many of the basic services students may need. There are additional charges, payable at the time of the visit, for immunizations, some supplies (i.e. crutches, splints), certain in-house laboratory tests and prescription medications purchased within the Health Center. This fee does not cover diagnostic tests performed by offsite laboratories, x-rays or other imaging, prescriptions, or referrals to outside specialists and/or other health care providers. 

International Student Mandatory Health Insurance - $903+* for Fall Semester - $1,474+* for Spring Semester 

All full time international undergraduate and graduate students on  F and J visas registered at RIT will be automatically enrolled in the RIT Basic Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy. You will be automatically enrolled in RIT's student Accident and Sickness insurance plan upon your active registration. Your coverage will be activated by your registration status and you will be billed on your student account accordingly. 

*The rates for AY24-25 have not been published yet. The amounts listed were for AY23-24.

Student Activities Fee - $200/semester

All undergraduate students in a degree program are charged this fee.  The student activity fee supports programs, events, and services that enhance the quality of student life at RIT such as the College Activity Board, various festivals etc.

Billing 

As a Global Scholar, you'll pay tuition to your home campus. However, RIT Rochester's billing platform automatically adds the RIT Rochester tuition charge to your bill.

We understand the shock of seeing a hefty USD$35,000+ charge, but here's the scoop: that amount doesn't reflect what you actually owe. So, take a deep breath, relax, and trust the process. Typically, about 2-3 weeks after the semester begins, this tuition charge disappears from your account. No need to stress!

*Note: If you're staying for two semesters, expect the same surprise in the second semester. Just stay calm and wait for the tuition charge to be removed.

Payment

1. Where: Access your bill at eservices.rit.edu
2. What: Your bill breakdown includes fixed (unchanging) and variable charges.    
   • Housing: Variable charge
   • Meal Plan: Variable charge
   • Health Insurance: Fixed
   • Student Health Fee: Fixed
   • Student Activity Fee: Fixed
   • Student Program Fee: Fixed
3. When: By the 1st of the month following the semester start, your bill will be finalized. The tuition charge will be removed, and you'll see charges for housing and meal plans. The final deadline for bill payment or signing up for a payment plan is the 15th of September (Fall) or 15th of February (Spring).
   
   To split payments, sign up for an Installment Payment Plan.
4. Late Fees: Before the semester begins, you'll receive notifications to settle your bill. Any late fees added during this period will be waived by RIT Global before the final bill on the 1st of the month after the start of the semester. After the 15th of September (Fall) or 15th of February (Spring), we will not be able to waive late fees.
5. Payment Methods - You can use the following methods:
   • Debit or Credit Card
   • E-check
   • International funds wire transfer via FlyWire

Avoid last-minute payments. Settle your bill a week before the deadline to account for processing times in some countries. Missing the deadline means no waiver for late fees!

The RIT campus operates like a large, intricate system, but don't fret. You'll need to attend orientation sessions from various departments, as outlined below. I understand it might seem overwhelming to encounter the term "orientation" repeatedly for different purposes across different departments. However, the explanation provided below aims to clarify these differences. If you still have questions after reading this, please don't hesitate to reach out to global@rit.edu.

Global Scholar Pre-departure Session

This mandatory Global Scholar Pre-departure Orientation session happening via Zoom is designed to provide essential information and ensure a smooth arrival to RIT in August. 

During this session, we'll be covering an abundance of incredibly useful information like health insurance, meal plans, arrival to Rochester, paying your bill, academic support, transportation options, on-campus jobs and much more. 

Online NSO (New Student Orientation) 

Prior to your arrival, it's essential to complete the online component of NSO. Be on the lookout for an email late in the summer that contains the link where to access this information. 

This virtual orientation is crucial as it introduces you to essential services and resources for your RIT journey. Before your in-person orientation commences, ensure you complete all five modules. Make note of any questions you may have and bring them with you to the in-person orientation.

Global Scholar orientation

This event will be held in person and is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 20th . Please keep an eye out for details regarding the time, and location. During the event, specific information pertinent to Global Scholars will be provided. 

Afterwards, you'll have the exciting opportunity to participate in the social orientation activities alongside fellow incoming students. These activities are designed to help you integrate into the RIT community, make new connections, and familiarize yourself with campus life.

International Student Services (ISS) Orientation

The ISS office at RIT is responsible for issuing I-20s for incoming students. They are the authority on all matters related to immigration, including student visa regulations, OPT, CPT, etc. Upon arrival, they will conduct a mandatory orientation session. This session is crucial as they will provide essential information to ensure you remain legally in status regarding your immigration. Make sure to keep an eye out for the email with more information about this session.

Throughout the summer, the International Student Services office will be sending crucial information to you. Additionally, you will be assigned a Peer Advisor Leader (PAL) who will offer support and guidance. Your PAL will keep you updated on important deadlines, documents, and resources via email, so please check your inbox frequently. PALs are student volunteers—both international and American—who are eager to assist you during your transition to life at RIT. They will be on campus early to prepare for your arrival and will be available during move-in day on Sunday, August 18th. PALs will also be accessible throughout Orientation to address any questions you may have. *let us know if by the week before move in you have not been introduced to your PAL.

Mandatory Virtual Immigration Check-In 

After your arrival in the United States, there is a separate online orientation and check-in process that you must complete immediately. 

The International Student Services office (ISS) mandates that all new international students check in upon entering the US. Please ensure you complete the virtual check-in as soon as possible through the provided link, typically sent to you in late July. 

Upon completion of the virtual check-in, ISS will register your SEVIS record and issue an updated I-20 with a travel signature. Please allow one week for processing and issuance of your updated I-20 after completing the check-in.