International Student Services

Welcome!  We are thrilled you are considering applying to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside!  Studying abroad at UW-Parkside will offer you the extraordinary chance to live among and learn with people from different cultures, gain global perspective, and have new and exciting academic opportunities, such as internships and research.

VISIT THE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ADMISSIONS PAGE

There are 2 types of student visas for Parkside: 

F-1 (most often for degree-seeking students) and J-1 (for exchange students).  Each visa has its own regulations and procedures.  To apply for a U.S. student visa you need to be academically accepted into the program and provide the University with a Sponsorship Form  showing that you have sufficient funds to pay for your education.  The University will then send you an immigration document called a Certificate of Eligibility (sometimes called I-20 or DS-160).

Once you have the Certificate of Eligibility form, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.FMJfee.com.  A SEVIS I-901 receipt should be printed and presented at your visa interview.  Then submit the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application (with fee) so a visa interview can be scheduled. Read through details here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html

Since there is no guarantee that you will be issued a visa, do NOT make final travel plans or buy airline tickets until you have a visa. If you do NOT receive a visa, please contact the International Student Services Office. It may be possible to defer your enrollment until the next semester. We will work with you to re-issue an updated I-20.   

Important: Do not attend your visa interview without reading this document "10 Points to Remember in Your Visa Interview"  (pdf)

Spouse and children

Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or J-2 visas. Although the SEVIS fee is not required, the University must issue each of them an individual I-20 or DS-2019 document to apply for their visas. You must provide a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa and provide proof of relationship.  Your minor children are permitted to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.

HOUSING

Residence Halls: All freshmen & sophomores are required to reside in the university residence halls unless you qualify for an exemption. Look at our different housing options and complete a residence hall contract. Apply early to get your preferred housing option!

International students are encouraged to apply to live in the Global Village Community, a living/ learning community of U.S. and international students.

Students can request to move in early by contacting the Housing & Residence Life at housing@uwp.edu.  Students who arrive early will be charged additional fees. 

Off-Campus Housing: Married students and students with children will require off-campus housing. See: ABODO

Dining Plans: After completing your residence hall application, you must choose a dining plan.

HEALTH & HEALTH INSURANCE

Parkside has a Student Health & Counseling Center available to all students. The Center is fully staffed to provide you with preventative health programs, medical treatment and referrals.  Note: Students from countries in which tuberculosis is endemic will be tested at the Student Health & Counseling Center upon arrival.

The State of Wisconsin requires that all international students be fully covered by health insurance. For complete information about the Student Assurance Services International Student/Scholar Plan, see http://www.sas-mn.com/. The Fall semester cost for an individual is $593. Spouses and children must also be covered at an additional fee. You will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan and charged for this on your student account.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Undergraduate & graduate tuition & fees information 

Parkside has partnered with Flywire to help international students pay their fees from abroad. Flywire offers excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing you to pay in your home currency. You will be notified by email when your payments are received by us. See: Cashiers Payments: http://www.uwp.edu/live/offices/cashiersoffice/payments.cfm

On the Parkside campus is Educator's Credit Union providing easy access to banking services.

There are a limited number of renewable awards for full time, degree-seeking international students which cover a portion of the out-of-state tuition charge.  Funding is limited, so we strongly recommend that international students apply early for admission. Both academic criteria and financial need will be used to determine eligibility.

VISIT THE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE

REGISTERING FOR COURSES with your ACADEMIC Advisor

All international students must enroll full-time. This means as an Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degree) you will be required to enroll for 12 credit hours per semester. If you have applied for Graduate work or a Master's program, you are required to enroll in a combination of courses (usually 3 courses or a combination equal to 9 credit hours) per semester.

Students must consult with their assigned advisor before registering for classes. Contact the International Student Services/Study Abroad Office for the name/contact of your advisor.  Look at available courses and make a list of those that interest you and fulfill your academic program requirements. Email your advisor with the list.

Degree-seeking undergraduates students require a University Placement test before their course schedule can be confirmed.

Registering for course with SOLAR Student Information System:  International students will require a "Permission number" from their Academic Advisor to register for classes. Once you are given a permission number, learn how to register using SOLAR.

International Orientation

International Student Orientation – August 30-31, 2018

We want to make sure that you are making plans to attend the International Student Orientation.  The purpose of the International Student Orientation is to:

• Welcome you!
• Tour you through campus resources.
• Provide  you with valuable information on course registration, health insurance,  immigration regulations, housing, internships, working, banking, health & safety, cultural/educational issues in the U.S., Local Resources, Friendship Program & the Parkside International Club (PIC).
• Process your US immigration documents (SEVIS: Student & Exchange Visitor  Information System)
• Finalization of course schedules.
• Introduce you to other US American and international students.

Important Dates:

• August 28-29: International Student Arrival
• August 30-31: International Student Orientation
• September 4: Labor Day Holiday
• September 6: Classes Begin
• Full Academic Calendar

By Air: International students should purchase airline tickets to Chicago O'Hare Airport (56 miles from Parkside) or Milwaukee Mitchell Airport (29 miles from Parkside). Please email the International Student Services/Study Abroad Office your airline itinerary (dates, airlines, flight numbers and times) so that we can plan for your arrival. 

By Car:  See Campus Map & Directions to campus

By Bus: Once you arrive at the airport, most students plan to take a bus to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Coach USA/Wisconsin Coachline busses can be taken from Chicago's O'Hare Airport or Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport.  Busses leave both locations hourly throughout daytime hours and will take you to Kenosha's "Brat Stop" restaurant where a community volunteer will pick you up.  See schedule at www.coachusa.com/   Tickets can be purchased on this website or from the driver with exact cash or a credit card. No large paper money bills!  Up to 2 bags are free with a $5 charge for each additional bag.

Chicago O'Hare Airport Busses
There are 2 bus stops at O'Hare Airport. The bus leaves from the busy traffic lanes outside the International Terminal 5. This can be convenient, but confusing as there are many busses leaving from there. If the weather is poor, you may want to put your luggage on a free cart and spend 5 minutes following the signs to the Bus/Shuttle Center. The Bus/Shuttle Center is a protected environment, less busy and less confusing. You can easily buy a bus ticket at the counter ($26).  The Coach USA bus will be white (with red & blue) and will have an "O'Hare to Milwaukee" sign in the front window.  Be sure to tell the bus driver you are going to the "Kenosha Brat Stop."

Milwaukee Mitchell Airport Busses
A one way bus tickets is $13 from Milwaukee.  Busses can be boarded from outside the airport baggage retrieval area (Arrivals). There is a bus stop shelter area on the traffic island near the car rental areas. The Coach USA bus will be white (with red and blue) and will have a "Milwaukee to O'Hare" sign in the front window.  Be sure to tell the bus driver you are traveling to the "Kenosha Brat Stop."