This message was originally sent by email on January 15, 2025
Dear International Students and Scholars!
Happy New Year! I can’t believe that the winter break ends this week and the first day of classes for the spring 2025 term is next Tuesday, January 21. CISS staff is busy this week participating in a variety of CISS Welcome Programs as well as other university and department orientation programs to help support new international students on our UConn campuses. Please see some important reminders for new and continuing international students at UConn.
Reminders for All Students
Full-Time Enrollment – As a reminder all international students must be enrolled full-time and in predominantly in-person classes. Only 3 credits of online coursework can count towards your full-time enrollment requirement. Please review the full-time enrollment requirements here and contact your academic advisor if you have questions about your enrollment. Follow these instructions to review your class schedule.
Connect with Your ISSS Advisor – As a reminder view the CISS Advising Services to meet your ISSS Advisor and to schedule an appointment.
Reminders for New Students
If this is your first semester at UConn or you received an updated form I-20 or DS-2019 with a January 2025 start date you must complete the “Immigration Check-in” with ISSS by submitting your arrival documents and completing all steps in the Arrival Checklist after you arrive in the U.S. THANK YOU to all the new students who already completed their immigration check in, you do not need to do this again.
If you are working on campus in an on-campus job or as a graduate assistant, don’t forget to submit the Foreign National Information Form to the payroll office and to work with ISSS to apply for a social security number (SSN). Apply for your Social Security Number with ISSS on January 30, 2025 from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Advanced sign up is required.
Please log in to MyHealth.uconn.edu and check your compliance with university immunization requirements. If you are not 100% compliant please follow up with Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) ensure you are compliant. Storrs campus students can contact SHAW in person by visiting the SHAW at the Infirmary in the Hilda May Williams Bldg or by calling 860-486-4700 to schedule an appointment. Regional campus students can contact the Nurse Navigators at their campus and they can help you find a local provider and submit documentation to SHAW online. Students at the School of Law should follow guidance and procedures as instructed by the registrar at the School of Law.
Reminders for Continuing Students
Are you graduating in Spring 2025? If you will be graduating in spring 2025 and you do not require a full course load to complete your degree, you can request to take a reduced course load for last semester from ISSS. If spring 2025 will be your last semester and you only need to enroll in one course, it must be an in-person course and must be offered at UConn. If you will graduate in Spring 2025 and you are interested to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field or complete an internship or training after graduation you should attend an OPT workshop and plan to apply for OPT with ISSS in February or March. Review the Optional Practical Training (OPT) information and application procedures on our website.
Upcoming Events That We Recommend
Storrs Campus
“Winter Clothing Pickup” Monday-Friday @ CISS 2019 Hillside Rd. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Make sure you are prepared for the cold weather! CISS received a small donation of used winter clothing specifically for international students who may need additional winter clothing. Come to CISS in person and ask the front desk to see the winter clothing.
U.S. Internships: The Process, Search and Authorization Tuesday, January 30 1:00-2:00 PM online.
Internship & Co-Op Fair Tuesday, February 4 11:00-3:00 PM Student Union, 3rd Floor
The UConn Internship & Co-op fair allows you to connect with employers from dozens of industries who are specifically interested in hiring UConn students for internship and co-op opportunities. This event takes place in February each year.
Involvement Fair Wednesday, January 29 – 1:00-6:00 PM at Gampel Pavilion
Find new ways to connect, make friends and get involved at UConn – see over 400 different student clubs and organizations.
Enjoy these last few days before spring term starts and stay warm!
Best regards,
Arthur
___________
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855 | FAX: 860.486.5800
EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://isss.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal | Instagram: @uconn.global