1. When did the VCF become effective?
The VCF is a required student fee that became effective and was charged to qualifying students beginning Fall 2017 semester.
2. How much is the VCF per semester?
The assessed fee is $450 per semester, assessed in Fall and Spring semesters only. The fee will not be assessed for study during Summer Term or Winter Intersession
3. When will the VCF be charged to my fee bill?
The VCF will apply when you in enroll in courses for semester, provided you meet the criteria to be charged the Visa Compliance Fee at the time you register for courses. If you are a graduate student enrolled in a 0 credit semester (continuous registration) the fee will not be added to your bill until the 11th day of the semester in which you register.
4. When is the VCF payment due?
The VCF payment will be due according to the same schedule as your normal fee bill. Visit the website of the Bursar for further details. Consequences for late payment are the same as for other fee bill balances past due.
5. To whom does the VCF apply?
The VCF applies to UConn students who:
1) have a Form I-20/DS-2019 issued by the University of Connecticut for study in the term in which the fee is applicable AND
2) are active enrolled students during the semester for which the fee is applicable.
Students who finish their degree, withdraw from the University or change visa status by the 10th day of the semester (add-drop deadline) for which the fee is applicable will have the fee removed/reimbursed.
Students who have a Graduate Assistantship will have the fee waived or reimbursed (if already paid), based on a collective bargaining agreement between the UConn Graduate Employee Union and the University.
Incoming J-1 exchange students who study at UConn through an exchange agreement between UConn and their home University will not be assessed the fee, as they pay tuition/fees to their home University.
6. What services does the VCF cover?
The fee covers University expenses to provide visa sponsorship, application processing and visa advising to international students, and to maintain immigration records and meet reporting requirements to the federal government for the sponsorship of student and exchange visitor visas. These expenses include adequate staffing, training and operational costs necessary to meet federal reporting requirements and provide responsible visa sponsorship and advising to UConn international students. This fee is separate from any SEVIS or visa processing fee that international students pay directly to the U.S. government as part of the visa application process.
7. Do other schools charge a similar fee to international students?
Yes, many other schools have either a separate fee or sometimes a separate tuition structure for international students to cover visa administration and/or support services to international students. However, the name of the fee that other schools carry may be different from “Visa Compliance Fee”.
8. Do I have to pay the VCF while on post-completion OPT?
If you are not an active student and are on post-completion OPT, you will not be required to pay the VCF. However, UConn does charge a post-completion OPT processing fee that you will be required to pay at the time of submitting your OPT application.
9. What if I am on post-completion OPT but I am still an active student completing my thesis or dissertation. Do I still need to pay the VCF?
This depends on when your post-completion OPT will be starting. If your post-completion OPT begins during fall/spring semester, you may still be required to pay the VCF for that term, depending on your requested post-OPT start date. If your requested OPT start date is 10th day of the semester or earlier, your fee will be removed or reimbursed. If your post-OPT start date falls after 10th day of the semester, you will be responsible to pay the VCF for that semester.
10. What if I am change my visa status while at UConn. I have changed from F-1 to another status or I have obtained an I-20 from ISSS to apply for a Change of Status, but my Change of Status is not approved by the start of the semester. Do I still need to pay the VCF?
For Students Changing from F-1 to Another Status
If your change of status or adjustment of status is completed by the 10th day of the semester, the fee will be removed from your account after you report the change of status to ISSS. If the change of status is effective after the 10th day of the semester, you will be assessed the fee for the current semester but your record will be updated so that you are not charged for future terms.
For Students in Another Status Changing to F-1
If you are an active enrolled student, and UConn is maintaining an initial SEVIS record for you while your change of status is pending, then you will be assessed the VCF. If you defer your admission in the program to a later semester the VCF will be removed or reimbursed for that term in which you are not enrolled. If you defer your I-20 start date to a future semester the VCF will be removed or reimbursed for that term in which you are not seeking F-1 status.
11. What if I receive a Graduate Assistantship in the middle of the semester? Will I need to pay the VCF for that semester?
Your Visa Compliance Fee will be removed or reimbursed.
12. Further questions?
Please contact ISSS international@uconn.edu with VCF policy questions, or the University Bursar bursar@uconn.edu with VCF billing/payment questions.