Howdy Aggies!
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is excited to welcome our international aggies and their families to Texas A&M! We are here to help you make your transition to this great university as simple and successful as possible. We encourage you to visit ISSS with any questions, concerns, or needs you may have. Our office is located in the Pavilion in Room 110.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is excited to welcome our international aggies and their families to Texas A&M! We are here to help you make your transition to this great university as simple and successful as possible. We encourage you to visit ISSS with any questions, concerns, or needs you may have. Our office is located in the Pavilion in Room 110.
Things to Know about U.S.
Here are some things to remember during your stay here:
- Health care and health insurance will likely be very different than what you are used to.
- Nearly every purchase is taxed in some way (federal, state, or local tax) and the tax is NOT included in the price tag
- You will need to file a tax return if you are physically present in the U.S. during the tax filing year (even if you are not employed)
- You'll need an Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the U.S.
- If you have children, you may need to enroll them in school while you're here. J-2 and F-2 children are allowed to attend U.S. public schools. There are also different options for childcare while you and/or your spouse work. Click here for more information.
- BEWARE OF SCAMS. Learn more about different scams and how to avoid them here.
Other useful resources:
New Student Events
As a new international student, you have the opportunity to attend some exciting events before classes begin. These events are Aggie traditions and can be a great way to meet friends and get to know the culture here at Texas A&M!
- New International Student and Scholar Orientation: An online orientation designed by ISSS for international students and scholars aimed at preparing you for your transition to the U.S. and to Texas A&M University. It also includes information to help you better understand your Visa Status.
- Other New Student Conferences and Orientations:
- As a first year Undergraduate student, you can attend: New Student Conference and Fish Camp.
- As a transfer student, you can attend: New Student Conference and T-Camp
- As a first year Graduate student, you can attend: New Graduate Student Orientation and Grad Camp
- Howdy Week: It is Aggieland's official welcome for new and returning students and scholars and takes place during the week before classes begin at Texas A&M University.
Transportation
Some people may take a flight directly to the College Station Easterwood Airport (CLL). However, many choose to fly into surrounding Texas cities, such as, Houston, Austin, Dallas or San Antonio. Aggies arriving at airports outside of College Station should arrange additional transportation to College Station. Please keep in mind, Bryan/College Station is at least 75 miles (over 120km) from the major surrounding cities.
Transportation to the Bryan/College Station Area
- Call a Taxi: You can reserve a taxi online before you have arrived in Texas or find one after you have arrived at the airport. Be aware that taking a taxi directly to Bryan/College Station could cost over $100.
- Purchase a Lyft, Uber, or Hitch: You can use the one of the apps, listed below to find a ride to Bryan/College Station after your arrival at the airport. As with a taxi, be aware that this could cost over $100 due to the distance from the airport to College Station.
- Uber: Uber is a global ride-hailing service that connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone app. Users can request a ride via the app, which matches them with nearby drivers. Payments are processed electronically, eliminating the need for cash transactions. Additionally, trips can be scheduled in advance.
- Lyft: Lyft is a ride-sharing service that enables people to connect with drivers via a smartphone app. Users can request rides, track their driver's arrival, and handle payments directly through the app. Offering a range of options from standard to luxury vehicles, Lyft provides a convenient alternative to car ownership. The service is available in numerous cities across the U.S. and Canada and promotes a community-focused ethos, fostering friendly interactions between drivers and passengers.
- Hitch: Hitch is a ride-sharing service similar to Uber, designed for longer distances. It connects riders with drivers who are traveling to the same destinations, offering a convenient and cost-effective travel option. Riders can opt for airport pickup at an additional cost or meet drivers at pre-determined locations. Hitch provides an easy way to share rides on longer trips, combining convenience with affordability.
- Reserve a bus or shuttle to College Station
- Ground Shuttle (from Houston only)
- Greyhound Bus: Students should also be aware that be aware that Greyhound bus stations are generally located in parts of U.S. cities that can be unsafe even during the day.
- Shuttle Wizard: This website offers a variety of private transportation options. Simply enter your travel dates and arrival time, and it will display a list of private operators. From there, you can choose the service that best suits your needs.
- Starline Republic Airport Shuttle
Airports
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston: Large airport in Houston. Best for international flights. Closest to College Station with Ground Shuttle option.
- Houston Hobby (HOB) in Houston: Medium sized airport in Houston. Good for domestic flights.
- College Station Easterwood Airport (CLL) in College Station: Flies in/out of College Station, but has limited flight options.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin: Large airport in Austin. Good for domestic flights.
- DFW International Airport (DFW) in Dallas: Large airport in Dallas. Good for domestic and international flights.
Transportation within Bryan/College Station Area
- Public Bryan and College Station Bus System
- The Texas A&M Bus System, which runs approximately every 8-10 minutes when classes are in session taking students to campus from many off-campus apartment complexes. The Texas A&M bus system also passes many grocery department stores on its various routes.
- Taxi services in Bryan/College Station
Rental Cars
Housing
Off Campus Housing
The majority of international aggies live in apartments located off campus. Many people will find a roommate to lower costs. Recently, new aggies had much difficulty locating off-campus housing when arriving less than two weeks prior to the start of classes.To help in your search for long-term housing, please visit the following:
- Off Campus Student Services (OCSS) - Specializes in providing a variety of information about off-campus housing options.
Renting or Buying a House
Some scholars, students, and/or their families may want to find a house when they move to the U.S. There are many real estate companies located in Bryan/College Station that can help you find a house - you can find a realtor to work with on their websites or you can directly search for homes. You can also search real estate websites such as Zillow or Trulia.Many people get a mortgage, a type of housing loan, to pay for their homes in the U.S. You can find more information about how to buy a home on the TAMU Money Education website.
Additional Resources
- College Station Housing Assistance
- College Station Affordable Housing Resources
- City of Bryan Homebuyer Assistance
- Please be aware, F and J visa holders should consult an immigration attorney before accepting housing assistance funds to make sure they do not count towards Public Charge. You can find some information about attorneys here.
On Campus Housing
At Texas A&M University, students have the option to live on-campus either in Residence Halls or the University Apartments. Students must be admitted to TAMU-College Station (main campus) before they can apply for on-campus housing at TAMU-College Station. There are also some on-campus options for scholars.- Students
- J-1 Scholars and Interns, requires support from hosting department.
IMPORTANT: New students interested in living on-campus should note that you have to apply very early! On-campus housing can fill up as early as February for the Fall semester.
On-Campus Early Move-In
Students planning to live on-campus at should be aware that the Department of Residence Life designates specific dates as the official move-in dates for each semester. Please visit the Department of Residence Life website, to determine the move-in date for semester in which you will begin your degree program. Students may request an early move-in date for their on-campus residence hall by sending an e-mail to the Housing Assignments Office (housing@tamu.edu) with their full name, UIN, reason for wanting to move in early, and the date that they would like to move-in. Such requests will be handled and approved on a case-by-case basis. Students are not guaranteed to obtain approval for early move-in. If approved to move in early, you will be charged a per night rate for moving into your residence hall. The total charge will depend upon the style of residence hall and the number of nights you are there early.What if On-Campus Housing is already full?
If you find that on-campus housing is already full for the Fall semester and you would prefer to live on-campus, send an email to iss@tamu.edu with your full name, UIN, and preferred on-campus housing location by no later than April 30th. ISS reserves a few on-campus housing spaces for international students each year for the Fall semester only and there may still be availability. Please note that this is not a guarantee. All reserved/unclaimed spaces will be reclaimed by the Department of Residence Life by May 1st each year. Unfortunately, ISS is unable to assist you with finding on-campus housing after April 30th. Please contact the Department of Residence Life directly if you have questions after April 30th.Short-Term Housing
The department of Residence Life has a webpage dedicated to help faculty, staff, and guests short-term housing if they need any. Some important resources include -On-Campus Dining/Meal Plans
Many students choose to purchase a dining/meal plan on-campus at Texas A&M, even if they live off-campus. There are two cafeterias on campus, multiple cafes, and other restaurants, most of which will take dining dollars or meal trades. To learn about dining on campus and to decide if it’s the right choice for you, visit the Dine on Campus website here.
How to set-up a US Bank Account
Setting up a bank account can take as little as 15 minutes. There are several banks and credit unions surrounding campus, and there will be some offering their services on campus and at campus events, so it’s your decision on which one you choose. The materials needed will be the same regardless of which bank you choose:
- Valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport
- Basic information like your birthday, Social Security Number (if applicable), address, and phone number
- Initial deposit
There are two general bank accounts to choose from: checking or savings. Checking accounts allow you to pay bills, pay with a debit card, and write checks; when choosing a bank, research if they charge monthly fees on their checking accounts, or if they charge any overdraft fees (money charged to you when you try to withdraw money that isn’t in the account), and if they have convenient ATMs. Savings are for storing money without easy access to withdraw, such as building an emergency fund or saving for a specific goal; you’ll want to see if they offer high interest rates or if they charge fees.
In addition to paying your rent and tuition, having a bank account set up also allows TAMU to automatically deposit any refunds you get right into your account! You’ll be able to access that information in your Howdy portal.
Common Registration Holds for New Students
Each student admitted to Texas A&M University will have holds automatically applied to their account from various offices and departments on campus. While ISSS cannot list every single possibility for all students, we have listed below the most common offices that may place a hold on a student's account and direct links to assist students in resolving these holds.
International Student & Scholar Services
An automatic hold for ISSS check-in is added to new student records with a future start date. If you submit your check-in to ISSS in a timely manner (after arriving in the U.S.), then the hold should never appear on your record. However, if you wait too long to check-in with us, then the hold will activate. The holds typically will not activate until after the last day to add/drop courses on the Academic Calendar. We will remove the hold after we receive a check-in from you.
Office of Admissions
The Office of Admissions may place holds on students’ accounts if they have not submitted all required documentation necessary to be admitted to Texas A&M University. Students should provide or make arrangements to provide any missing documents to the Office of Admissions. More information can be found on their website at https://admissions.tamu.edu/.
English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE)
International graduate students who wish to serve in teaching positions who have not met certification requirements prior to enrollment can certify by passing the English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE) offered by Testing Services on the Texas A&M campus. If you have a hold associated with ELPE, you may need to arrange to take the ELPE. Please refer to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies website for more information found at https://grad.tamu.edu/academics/academic-success-resources/elp.
Health Insurance
Students studying at Texas A&M University under J status and their dependents who have not provided proof of medical coverage may have holds on their account. To remove these holds, these students would have to submit proof of health insurance to ISSS. More information about international student health insurance can be found at https://global.tamu.edu/isss/health-and-safety/health-insurance.
Bacterial Meningitis
Texas Senate Bill 1107 (now TEC 51.9192) requires all students* entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester. For the most up-to-date and detailed information about this requirement, please visit the Office of Admissions’ Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement webpage at https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students/meningitis-vaccination-requirement.
Tuberculosis Screening
Many students are required to provide proof of Tuberculosis Screening results to the A.P. Beutel Health Center. Please refer to the University Health Services Website at https://uhs.tamu.edu/medical/immunizations.html for more information.
Consent for Medical Treatment of a Minor
If a new/transfer student will be under the age of 18 on the first day of university classes, a "Consent for Medical Treatment of a Minor" is required in order to provide legal consent for any possible medical care should it be necessary. Please visit University Health Service's website for the most up-to-date forms located at https://uhs.tamu.edu/forms/index.html.
Important Immigration Terminology
Principal
The person in F-1 or J-1 status is called the Principal. Persons in F-2 or J-2 status are called Dependents, because their status is dependent on the status of the Principal. Only spouses and children under 21 years of age can be in Dependent status.Legal Status
Legal status is your presence in the United States in accordance with immigration regulation. In general, you are in legal immigration status if the Principal is in legal status. You can lose legal status if you or the Principal fail to follow immigration regulations.Essential Immigration Documents
These are documents you should store safely and photocopy to always have some version on hand. Consists of passport; I-20 (F-2) or DS-2019 (J-2); I-94 card; and visa stamp.- Make sure your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid
- Your passport must be kept valid
- When traveling outside the U.S., your passport must be valid for at least 6 months in the future for re-entry to the U.S
- It is ok for you to have an expired F-2 or J-2 visa, if you do not travel internationally. If you do need to travel internationally, make sure you always have a valid F-2 or J-2 visa.
- I-94 is a document issued by CBP to show your immigration status each time after you are admitted to the U.S. I-94 can be obtained electronically here https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/
- If you are F-2, it should show “F-2, D/S (duration of status)”
- If you are J-2, it should show “J-2, D/S (duration of status)”
- You should always keep photocopies of these documents with you and bring the original documents when you travel outside of Bryan/ College Station.
Status Change
A change of status is a formal request to change from one immigration status to another which must be approved by the U.S. Government.- Contact ISSS early if you're planning to request a change of status, because this is generally a time-intensive process.
Travel Signature
A signature on your I-20 (F Status) or DS-2019 (J Status) issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) that is needed for reentry to the U.S. It is important for both the Principal and Dependents to have valid travel signatures when reentering. The signature is valid for one year unless your principal is on F-1 Optional Practical Training, in which case the signature is only valid for six months.- You can apply to renew your travel signature with ISSS
Period of Absence
A period of absence is an extended period of stay outside of the U.S. Dependents are permitted periods of absence, as long as the Principal is maintaining status. These absences will not invalidate your visa before its expiration date. However, dependents can only remain in the U.S. if the Principal is in the U.S. It is not recommended for dependents to remain in the U.S. without the Principal for more than three weeks.Public Assistance
Public assistance are government programs that offer cash assistance or other benefits to U.S. families (I.e. Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)). The rules associated with your immigration status DO NOT ALLOW you to take advantage of these programs.- To remain in legal status, DO NOT sign up for any federally funded programs. Please check with ISS before accepting any type of free social or medical service that may be offered.