Dear UW Oshkosh Student:

I send the warmest greetings from our University to you. We are glad that you have chosen the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to pursue your education for the Fall 2008 term. Students, faculty, staff, and community leaders are busy making plans to welcome you. We encourage you to take advantage of our website at: www.uwosh.edu/oie/ISS/index.html to find the latest information available to our international students and scholars.

Please let us know your arrival day, date, and time and your airline and flight number information. We recommend that you do not arrive in Oshkosh before August 23, 2008, if you are planning to live on-campus, because University food and housing services are not readily available. If you must arrive prior to this date, please contact us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Direct air transportation to Oshkosh is NOT available. Please visit our website for more detailed information regarding travel to UW Oshkosh. You should plan to arrive at the Outagamie County Airport in Appleton, Wisconsin (airport code: ATW). Call 920-733-4444 to arrange taxicab pick-up. The cost to take a taxicab from the airport to the UW Oshkosh campus will be approximately $45.00. You may also contact the Office of International Education PRIOR to your arrival to arrange for your pick-up at the Outagamie County Airport. While we will try to accommodate all requests for airport pick-ups, we cannot guarantee transportation. We urge everyone to contact us as soon as possible with your travel information if you would like to be met by the International Office.

If you arrive in Oshkosh unannounced, you may stay temporarily at Gruenhagen Conference Center on campus for about $14 per day until you move to permanent housing.  Gruenhagen is open until 12:00 AM.  If you know you will arrive after that time, please call Gruenhagen Conference Center at 920-424-0634 to announce the time of your arrival and to have someone help you after hours.  It is important to identify yourself as a "newly arriving international student."

We are including information that should simplify your travel to our campus. Please read this information carefully.  In order to enter the United States as an F-1 or J-1 student, you need to obtain a visa. If you intend to apply as an F-1 or J-1 student, please read carefully the restrictions and responsibilities on page 2 of your I-20 or DS-2019 form and then sign page 1 when applying for your visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
If you have difficulty obtaining a visa and will not be able to arrive on time, it might be advisable to return the I-20 or DS-2019 form and request that your admission be deferred until the Spring 2009 term.

You MUST attend the school whose I-20 or DS-2019 form you use to obtain your visa.
You should plan to arrive at least one day before the required New International Student Orientation meetings, which begin on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. New International Student Orientation meetings are scheduled on Tuesday, August 26 through Friday, August 29, 2008. You are required to attend all scheduled events.

You must check-in with the Assistant Director for International Student Services in Dempsey 146 between 8:00-10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Normal office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Please bring your passport, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 and any other important documents.

Please note that all undergraduate international students are required to take math and English placement tests scheduled for 8:45 AM on Thursday, August 28, 2008. You may bring a non-graphing calculator for the math test. There is a $5.00 fee for each test taken. You MUST pay on the day the test is given.

We look forward to seeing you at UW Oshkosh.

Sincerely,

Brian R. Mylrea,
Assistant Director
International Student Services

For further information you may contact:

Office of International Student Services: iss@uwosh.edu
International Student Association: http://www.uwosh.edu/isa/index.htm

PLEASE MAKE COPIES OF ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (PASSPORT, I-94, I-20, ETC.) AND KEEP THEM IN A SAFE PLACE!

VISA INFORMATION
Before you make travel plans, check with the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for application procedures and or how long it will take to receive a visa. Time and cost for the visa will vary from country to country.
SEVIS FEE REQUIREMENT: F-1 STUDENTS

All NEW F-1 and J-1 visa applicants are required to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). Transfer students who have previously paid need not do so again.

The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied by a Form I-901.  It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the U.S.

To Pay By Mail

1. Obtain a Form I-901 “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants.”

Download the form from www.FMJfee.com

2. Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
3. Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on U.S. banks only) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to “The Department of Homeland Security”
4. Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901.
5. A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee.  Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

To Pay Online (for faster service)

1. Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
2. Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information.  *Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
3. Print a copy of the online receipt.
4. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
Normally you must present the following documents to obtain a visa:
1. Passport
2. Form I-20, pages 1-3 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students) from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
3. SEVIS fee payment receipt
4. Documentation of financial support
5. Evidence of your intent to return to your home country upon completion of your studies in the U.S.
(Depending on the Consulate, you may be required to submit additional documents.)

CANADIAN CITIZENS: Make sure you stop at the border and present your I-20 or DS-2019, and SEVIS I-901 fee receipt to the U.S. Immigration Authorities. Do not let the immigration officer just wave you through. You MUST obtain an I-94 card indicating either F-1 or J-1 status.

IMMIGRATION:Upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, you will be asked to show your passport, visa (which is in your passport) and I-20 or DS-2019. You may also be requested to produce your financial documents for inspection. Make sure to carry all this information with you and not in your baggage. Once you have been admitted to the U.S., you will be issued an I-94 card (a small white card). Staple this card in your passport. This card documents your arrival date, port of entry, your visa status and the duration of your stay. The I-94 card should note your visa status (F-1 or J-1) AND be endorsed “D/S” (for the Duration of Status as an international student). If your I-94 card is NOT endorsed “D/S”, PLEASE POINT THIS OUT TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE SO THAT THIS CAN BE CORRECTED.  Your I-20 or DS-2019 must also be returned to you. These are very important documents. Please keep them in your passport at all times.

DOCUMENTS: Carry your documents such as: passport, certificate of good health, vaccination certificate, X-rays, and airline ticket with you.  DO NOT PUT YOUR DOCUMENTS INSIDE YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. Do not give these documents to anyone except officials at the port of entry.

ENTRANCE TO U.S.: According to federal regulations, you cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.  When entering the U.S., border officials should take the I-20 or DS-2019 from you, enter the information into the immigration database and then return it to you.  Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 along with the “departure” portion of the I-94 card that you will also be given.  Please do not lose these documents!  Also, be sure to keep my name and phone number with you at all times during travel in the event an emergency arises so that you can contact me.

Brian R. Mylrea, Assistant Director
International Student Services
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Office of International Education
800 Algoma Boulevard, Dempsey Hall Room 146
Oshkosh, WI 54901 USA
Office Tel: 920-424-0775
Mobile Tel: 920-527-0029 (Urgency Only)
Fax: 920-424-0185
Email: mylreab@uwosh.edu

TRANSFER BETWEEN U.S. SCHOOLS: If you will not be leaving the U.S. between changing schools, see your current International Student Advisor for government regulations about transferring.

UNIVERSITY HOUSING (READ CAREFULLY -- EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!): Freshman and sophomore students (having earned 60 or more credits as of the first day of classes) who are not veterans, married or living with parents or guardian shall be required to live in a University-operated residence hall when such accommodations are available.  Please complete and return the enclosed food and housing contract and return it with the pre-payment deferment form as soon as possible.

ONLY students assigned to Evans Hall may check into their rooms prior to the Sunday before classes begin. Students assigned to other halls may stay in the Gruenhagen Conference Center for an additional daily fee prior to moving into their assigned rooms on the Sunday before classes begin.  Please note that you are required to attend all New International Student Orientation sessions during the week prior to the start of classes and will need to stay in the Gruenhagen Conference Center if you are not assigned to Evans Hall. Please note that meal plans will not begin until the Sunday before classes begin.

Housing during semester breaks is available in Evans, Fletcher, and Taylor Halls. Housing during the summer is available in the Gruenhagen Conference Center.

If you arrive on campus, have not contracted for a residence hall room and are required to live on-campus, contact the Residence Life Office, 2nd floor, South Gruenhagen, between 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (920-424-3212).  Remember that on-campus housing will be limited at that time and you may be housed temporarily at Gruenhagen Conference Center for a period of time.  Note: Residence Hall contracts are one academic year long in duration.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING AND TEMPORARY HOUSING: Students who are eligible to live off campus, and choose to do so, are responsible for finding their own living accommodations.  Off-campus housing is difficult to find if you arrive close to the beginning of a semester so you may want to allow additional time to find a place to live.  It is also usually expensive and is subject to a lease.

Gruenhagen Conference Center is available for temporary housing if you are not assigned to Evans Hall or the other residence halls and housing is not available when you arrive.  An amount of approximately $24.00 per day is charged.  Please allow an additional $25.00 per day for food.

FAX INFO: You may use our fax number, 920-424-0185 to relay information to the Office of International Education.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION: To pay for Fall 2008 semester expenses, you should plan to bring enough money to pay for all tuition, fees, books, housing meals, and other living expenses. The University accepts cash, checks/demand drafts, and money orders payable in US dollars only.  Traveler's checks are the safest way to bring money to the U.S. and can be readily cashed everywhere. If paying fees by credit card, please note that UW Oshkosh ONLY accepts MasterCard and American Express.

Tuition fees, food and housing costs (on campus) are to be paid by the end of the first week of school or, once you are here, you can make arrangements to pay your fees in installments.

Banking arrangements can be made with a local financial institution during your first business day (Mon.-Fri.) in Oshkosh.  You may choose to bank very safely and conveniently at the UW Oshkosh Credit Union located on campus.  If you choose to do a money transfer prior to your arrival, it can be done to US Bank, 111 N. Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901.  The UW Oshkosh account number at US Bank is 512012996; the routing number is 075000022.  Please include your name and student ID number.

Fall 2008 Estimated Fees and Tuition*

*special course fees, books, supplies, and other living expenses are NOT included in the above costs

**Please note that the tuition and fees listed above are ESTIMATES only

HEALTH INSURANCE:
UW Oshkosh mandates all international students carry health insurance because health care in the U.S. is very expensive when provided outside of the University's health care center.  You will be automatically enrolled in a health insurance plan and will be billed shortly after enrolling in school.  The estimated cost per year is $756.00.  Shortly after you arrive, you will be billed approximately $315.00 for medical insurance to cover the time period of August 22, 2008 until January 22, 2009.  The remaining $441.00 will cover the time period of January 22, 2009 until August 22, 2009.

2008-2009 REQUIRED MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUM RATES:

Estimated Premium Rates for 2008-2009 Required Medical Insurance Coverage:

NOTE:  Coverage for dependents is available at additional cost, and requires completion of a separate enrollment form.

FALL (August 22, 2008 – January 22, 2009): $315.00
SPRING AND SUMMER (January 22, 2009 – August 22, 2009):$441.00

EMPLOYMENT: International students are, by law, allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while class is in session and full time during vacations periods.  Employment authorization will be completed during the international student orientation.

MAIL AND BAGGAGE: Your relatives and friends can temporarily use the following address until you send your permanent address to them: Your Name, C/O Brian R. Mylrea, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, International Student Services, 800 Algoma Blvd. -- Dempsey 146, Oshkosh, WI  54901, USA.

CLIMATE: Oshkosh's climate is subject to great temperature changes throughout the year. In August, it will be very warm with temperatures as high as 85° Fahrenheit (29° Celsius) and very light, cool clothing is the most comfortable. Our winter begins in November and it can get very cold and we can get a lot of snow.  Temperatures can get as low as –10°Fahrenheit (-23°Celsius).  Students that arrived last January described it as "arctic like". So during that part of the year, you will need a very warm (heavy) coat, hat, gloves, and boots. By March, it starts to get warmer and everyone is anxious for spring and summer.  During school and most of the time, students dress very casually. More formal dress is reserved for special occasions.

FURNISHINGS:  Each residence hall room has a twin bed mattress (33” x 80”), mattress pad, desk with chair, dresser, bookshelf, mirror, drapes, lighting, microwave, refrigerator unit, smoke detector, cable TV hook-up, telephone, carpeting and wastebasket.  We recommend that you bring 2 sets of single bed sheets, a pillow, and a lightweight blanket.  You will need a heavy blanket (comforter) for cold weather.  You may bring the comforter with you or purchase it after you arrive.

IMPORTANT DATES:

FALL SEMESTER 2008
Wednesday, September 3: Begin 1st 7-week; 14-week term
Tuesday, October 21: End 1st 7-week term
Wednesday, October 22: Begin 2nd 7-week term
Wed.-Sun., November 26-30: Thanksgiving Recess (Note: Recess begins after evening classes on November 25.)
Friday, December 12: End 2nd 7-week; 14-week term
Saturday, December 13: COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Monday, January 5, 2009** : Begin 3-week Interim
Monday, January 19: Legal Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. -- no classes
Friday, January 23: End 3-week Interim; end of semester -- Official Graduation Date

** Winter Interim: classes will meet on January 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 20, 21, 22, 23.

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008: YOU MUST PLAN TO ARRIVE AT UW OSHKOSH NO LATER THAN THIS DATE. PLEASE CHECK INTO YOUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

REPORT, IN PERSON, TO DEMPSEY HALL ROOM 146 NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM, TO REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION.  PLEASE BRING YOUR PASSPORT, I-20 OR DS-2019 AND I-94 WITH YOU.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008: CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION TO INCLUDE CLASS REGISTRATION, EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, CAMPUS TOUR, STUDENT ID, LIBRARY TOUR AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.  A DETAILED ORIENTATION SCHEDULE WILL BE PROVIDED TO YOU WHEN YOU CHECK-IN WITH THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 , 2008: CLASSES BEGIN

IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING UW OSHKOSH, PLEASE NOTIFY THIS OFFICE AND RETURN YOUR I-20 OR DS-2019 TO US.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
800 ALGOMA BLVD., DEMPSEY HALL 146
OSHKOSH, WI 54901 USA
TELEPHONE: 920-424-0775
FAX: 920-424-0185

BRIAN R. MYLREA, Assistant Director for International Student Services: MYLREAB@UWOSH.EDU
KARLIN STUKENBERG, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT: STUKENBK@UWOSH.EDU

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