New student checklist

Visit the I-Card website for directions on getting an I-Card.

You will need to obtain your NetID and set your password online in order to have computing access on campus. You will be asked for your name, UIN, and date of birth.

Students in F-1 and J-1 status are required by federal law to report a local address upon arrival to the United States and within 10 days anytime they move.  This can be done via iSTART. Please visit the Address Update page for more information on how to update your local U.S. address.

• Graduate Students should report to their departments and attend any required orientation sessions.
• Undergraduate Students should schedule an appointment with their academic advisor to discuss their academic plan if needed.

Course registration is done online, through U-I Integrate. For assistance, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

In order to maintain your F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status, you must be registered for a full course load each semester. In the Fall and Spring semesters, the minimum credit requirement is 12 credit hours. If Summer is your first semester of study, then a full course load is 6 hours. With permission, you may be granted a reduce course load prior to registering below full time. For more information and exceptions, please consult the Guidelines to a Full Course of Study page.

All International Students are required to complete a tuberculosis (TB) screening and provide immunization records.  Please follow the instructions on the McKinley Health Center website. You can download and submit forms online for both Immunizations and TB testing.

All new students are required to complete the Sexual Assault Prevention training. The invitation to complete the training will be sent to the student’s University email and will be from “The University of Illinois System automated-message@everfi.net” with the subject line: “The University of Illinois System has assigned you training.” This invitation will be sent after the last day to add/drop classes has passed. Any new students who do not complete their Sexual Assault Prevention training will have a hold placed on their account for the upcoming semester that prevents all registration activity until the coursework is complete.

You must claim your NetID before you can access the training. Additional information about this training is available on the We Care website.

All registered students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Health Insurance website for information about coverage dates, benefits, enrollment/change dates, and opting out. You are strongly encouraged to purchase health insurance for any accompanying family members during the Enrollment/Change Period.

Students are often required to register for the English Placement Test (EPT). Review your admission letter to confirm if you are required to take the test. Failure to complete EPT testing may result in a hold being placed on your course registration for future semesters.

English Proficiency for Graduate Teaching Assistants

Graduate students: Non-native speakers of English who wish to be considered for graduate teaching assistantships must provide evidence of spoken English language proficiency, even if an English proficiency score was not required for graduate admission.

For more information about how to fulfill this requirement, as well as possible exemptions, please contact your program of study office or refer to the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) website . Another useful resource is “Becoming a Teaching Assistant at Illinois: A Guide for New International Graduate Students”.

Complete I-9 Form

If you have on-campus employment, you must complete Section 1 of the I-9 via the Tracker system no later than your first day of work for pay (access provided by hiring unit). You will need your I-94 in order to complete the form. You can use the paper Form I-94 (front and back) OR the Electronic Form I-94.

Temporary Control Number (TCN) & Social Security Number (SSN)

If you have on-campus employment but do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) yet, you will need contact your hiring department so that they may process your employment paperwork and submit a request to University Payroll & Benefits to issue your TCN (Temporary Control Number). This request must be initiated by your hiring department, not ISSS. Once you have obtained your SSN, it will replace your TCN.

For more information regarding SSN eligibility and application procedures, visit the Social Security Number page.

J-1 Work Authorization Letter (J-1 Students Sponsored By the University Only)

J-1 students must obtain a work authorization letter from their program sponsor prior to beginning any employment on-campus. J-1s sponsored by the university may obtain this letter at ISSS. Students with sponsorship other than the university must contact their program sponsor to obtain this letter.

Plan to attend ISSS Orientation for all new international students.

ISSS offers exciting programs at the beginning of the semester and during the year for international students. Come join us!