New Student Information
F-1 Visa Information
Orientation
Housing
Traveling to the United States
Transfer Students
Funding your Studies
Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa
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All international students must enter the United States with an F-1 student visa. A visa is a stamp that is placed inside of your passport by the United States Consulate or Embassy in your home country. Procedures for applying for an F-1 student visa differ in every country so it is advised that students contact the U.S. Consulate in your country for clarification. Information about the closest U.S. Consulate can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/
When applying and being interviewed for a student visa, be prepared to show:
- Your Official SEVIS Form I-20
- Proof of Payment for the $100 SEVIS Form I-20 fee
(See Attached SEVIS I-20 Fee Notice)
- A completed non-immigrant visa application
- The appropriate visa application fee (consult the consulate)
- A valid passport
- Acceptance, scholarship, and/or fellowship letters from C.W. Post
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools
- TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT Scores
- Evidence of financial ability (bank statements, affidavits, proof of income)
- Evidence of social and economic ties to home country
- Proof of dependents and their relationship to student (If F-2 visa’s are required)
Canadian students do not need visas to enter the U.S. as F-1 students. Canadians must show SEVIS I-20, receipt of SEVIS I-20 processing fee payment, proof of financial ability, proof of admissions to C.W. Post, etc, at the port of entry upon arrival in the U.S.
Visa Checklist
SEVIS Form I-20:
____ I have signed Section 11 on the first page of my FORM I-20.
____ I have paid the SEVIS fee and printed my receipt for payment of the SEVIS I-20 fee.
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Housing
As a student at C.W. Post, one of the first and most important decisions you will make will be if you want to live on campus or off-campus. Here is some information you may find helpful in making this decision:
OPTION ONE: Living on Campus in a Residence Hall
- If you decide to live on campus, you must submit your housing application along with your $300 housing deposit to the ISS office. If your application is received after this date, then it is not guaranteed that you will receive on-campus housing. If you have already submitted your housing application and deposit, you do not need to re-submit these items!
- Living on campus is a great way to meet other people and really get involved in campus life!
- As on an on-campus resident, you should expect to have 1 – 3 other students sharing your room.
- Please note: your C.W. Post residence hall room will include the following: bed, mattress, desk, chair, window drapes, wardrobe/closet & dresser. Sheets, towels, pillows etc. will not be provided. For your convenience, you can order sheets, towels, a light blanket, and pillow by writing to us requesting this service and enclosing $35 (by bank check or money order) to the ISS office.
- Visit http://www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/stuact/housing/housing.html for more information.
OPTION TWO: Living off Campus in a home or appartment
- Living off campus can provide students with greater independence. While it is certainly possible to live off campus without a car, if you choose to do so, we recommend you identify a location which is near public transportation.
- Although C.W. Post does not rent apartments off campus, we have developed a website to assist you if you are looking for off-campus rentals. Please keep in mind this website is designed to help you, but ultimately, you must decide if the landlord and/or home/apartment are right for you. Visit http://webdata.liu.edu/ochousing/ for off-campus housing listings.
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Planning Your Arrival at the Airport
Do not pack the following documents inside your luggage – you will need to present them when you enter the United States:
- Passport;
- SEVIS Form I-20;
- SEVIS Fee Receipt;
- Evidence of financial ability (bank statements, sponsorship letter, proof of income);
- Name and contact information for your “Designated School Officials”, Jessica Hayes and/or Ivana Laganá: (516) 299 – 1451, and your 24-hour emergency contact number for C.W. Post: (516) 299 – 2222.
The International Student Services Office will be notified electronically about your arrival in the U.S. Students are required to report to the ISS Office within ten days of arriving in the United States. Bring your original passport, I-94, visa and Form I-20 to the ISS Office to complete the check-in process. International students are required to submit an address in the United States upon check-in.
How to Get to C.W. Post
It is suggested that students should take Classic Coach or taxi service to the CW Post Campus. It is customary, not required, to tip the van driver a few dollars extra. *Do not catch a curb side taxi because they usually overcharge for their services. These taxi services are licensed and usually do not charge extraordinary prices.
Van Service:
Classic Coach (631) 567 - 5100: Cost is approximately $45 and you may call for pick up from a free phone in the airport.
Taxi Service:
Arena Car Service (516) 676-1016: Receive 10% off by mentioning you are a C.W. Post Student.
The Taxi (516) 671-0707: Fare is $60 as long as you set up your reservations one day in advance and call taxi service once you exit Customs at JFK Airport.
Campus Address: 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, New York.
Campus Emergency Contact Number: (516) 299 – 2222.
International Student Services Contact Number: (516) 299 – 1451.
If you are living on campus and moving in on August 30, 2006, and you arrive between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., you should arrive at the Interfaith Center on Campus. We will be there to greet you!
If you are living on campus and you arrive after 9 p.m. on August 30, 2006, we recommend you stay at a nearby hotel and come to International Student Services between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. the following weekday.
REMEMBER: All students must check in with International Student Services within ten days of arriving in the US. Our office is located on the Lower Level of Post Hall.
Nearby Hotels
Gold Coast InnEast Norwich Inn
1053 Northern Blvd. 6321 Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY East Norwich, NY
(516) 627-2460 (516) 922-1500
Rates: $89-$110Rates: $92-$260
Roslyn Claremont HotelThe Royal Inn Motor Lodge
1221 Northern Blvd.1177 Northern Boulevard
Roslyn, NYManhasset, NY
(516) 625-2700(516) 627-5300
Rates: $209-$250Rates: $100-$125
*Rates are approximate and dependent upon specific day of the week and times of the year
Travel Checklist
Traveling from your Country to New York:
____ I have remembered not to pack the following documents in my luggage: passport, I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, evidence of financial ability, contact information for C.W. Post (found in this enclosure).
____ I am aware that flight attendants will distribute an Arrival Record Form (I-94 card) while I am en route to New York and that part of this form will be stapled into my passport.
Traveling from the Airport to C.W. Post:
____ I know my options for van and taxi service to C.W. Post (found in this enclosure) and can make a decision about how I plan to travel to C.W. Post.
Lodging once you Arrive at C.W. Post:
____ I have thought about what time I will arrive at C.W. Post and if necessary, I have made arrangements to stay at a nearby hotel (options found in this enclosure).
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES! WE WANT YOUR ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES AND TO C.W. POST TO BE AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE!
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F-1 Students Already in U.S. Transferring From Another School
International students already in the U.S. with an F-1 status must receive a transfer I-20 from C.W. Post no later than 15 days after the start of classes. If you plan to travel during the break between the time that your semester ends at your old institution and the new semester at C.W. Post, you must travel and re-enter the U.S. with a C.W. Post I-20. Transfer students must check-in with the ISS office prior to registering for classes. Bring all previously issued I-20’s, passport, form I-94, and visa. You cannot register for classes until the check-in process has been completed.
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