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Coming to Park-FA09 Semester
SEVIS Fee The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has implemented a fee of $200.00 for maintaining your SEVIS record/I-20 and it must be paid before you will be allowed an appointment at the US Embassy in your country. You are able to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee locally using the Western Union Quick PayTM service. If you prefer doing it on-line and using a credit card, then you will want to access the online Form I-901 website at www.FMJfee.com. Both of these methods, either paying at Western Union or paying on-line, will immediately provide you with a receipt. You must pay this fee, and you must have your receipt before applying and receiving your student visa at the US Embassy. NOTE: SEVIS NOTICE – June 8, 2009 The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is presently experiencing problems with credit card payments from a number of countries. Due to this recurring situation, SEVP will no longer accept credit card payments from the countries involved. The SEVP is currently exploring possible solutions to this problem and it has not yet been determined when credit card payments will be accepted for students or exchange visitors related to these countries. If you attempt to make a payment on behalf of a student or exchange visitor from one of the affected countries you will receive a message indicating that credit card payments are not being accepted at this time. However, payments can still be made via certified check, money order, or western union transfer. An official broadcast notification will be made when the credit card payment service is fully reinstated. Visa When you receive an I-20 and admission letter from Park University, go to the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate and present the documents along with a valid passport and proof of financial support. The consular will stamp the Visa (F-1) in your passport and return the I-20 to you. You may wish to ask for a "Multiple Entry" stamp if you plan to leave and reenter the U.S. during your period of study at Park University. At the port of entry to the U.S., an immigration inspector will stamp the I-20 and issue an I-94. The I-94 will specify your length of stay in the U.S. When you use an I-20 issued by Park University to secure an F-1 Visa, you must report to Park for initial registration by the report dated listed on the I-20. You may not apply for transfer to another college or university until you complete one semester at Park University. More information of Student Visa
ARRIVAL: When to arrive? ON or BEFORE AUGUST 3, 2009 This will give you a chance to complete the testing process and register for classes as well as take part in the International Student Orientation program (schedule attached) before classes begin on August 17, 2009. Please keep in mind that the earlier you arrive and register for classes, the better chance you have of getting all of the classes that you want. Please add an additional $200 for the Orientation Room and Board. Note: There is a $200 “Orientation room and board” charge.
Please be sure that you have either secured a ride from a friend or a relative if you are living off campus or have arranged to be picked up by us only if you are living on campus (see housing requirements below). Note that if you are flying in, you will need to connect into Kansas City International Airport (Code=MCI). If you need a ride from the airport and are living on campus, please complete the airport pick up form (link attached). We will not be able to pick you up unless you are living on-campus in a dormitory, and we have your complete travel information and a copy of your travel itinerary. Each student will be charged a nominal fee of $10 for airport pickup.
Download Transportation from Airport Request Form
If you are under 21 and a full time student, you are required to live in the dormitories, you are only eligible to live off campus if:
Living on campus is encouraged at Park University. Living on campus will offer you many opportunities to socialize with other students and to interact with faculty, which is a good way to acclimate yourself more quickly to your new environment. It is widely accepted among college educators that students who participate in campus life and activities gain a stronger sense of community and enjoy a more fulfilling college experience. Living on campus also relieves the student of the many responsibilities that come with renting an apartment or house. At Park University there are three co-ed residence halls: Chesnut Hall, Dearing Hall and newly built this year Copley Quad. For more information, please visit the housing homepage. The cost for one semester of room and board is $3,560.00. Note: You must complete your application, sign a contract and submit your deposit on-line at your earliest convenience to receive an early housing assignment. Your rooms come equipped with a bed, a desk, closet and a chest of drawers. The rooms do NOT come with hangers, towels or bedding (sheets, blankets and pillows). You will need to provide these on your own or we will have sets available for purchase for approximately $40 USD. (PLEASE INDICATE ON THE AIRPORT PICK UP LIST IF YOU WILL BE PURCHASING A SET FROM US). Rooms come with internet connection and telephone connection, but you do need to provide your own telephone and computer. Any additional furniture or household items must be purchased by the student. If you are staying on campus, please be prepared to live with a roommate and use shared bathroom and shower facilities.
Please consult your accounting letter to see how much you will need to wire prior to arrival or pay on arrival for tuition and room and board. You must plan to have money for start up expenses such as furniture, bedding, clothing, textbooks, school supplies and personal items. We advise that you carry at least a total of $250 cash for the orientation process which includes; Orientation room and board, airport pick up and bedding. It would be wise to bring extra money with you, if possible. You will need to purchase books and certain personal items such as bed sheets, pillows and notebooks soon after your arrival or if you plan to arrive 30 days early, to pay for lodging and food during that time period. GET TRAVELERS CHECKS. Carry only enough cash to cover your meals during your flight and to make emergency telephone calls and other necessary purchases. (If you plan on carrying the minimum amount needed to complete your registration, please have this in travelers checks as well unless you have already wired your funds per Park University instructions). PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT REGISTRATION.
As you are packing your suitcases, please keep the following things in mind: The temperatures in Missouri range from -20F to 100F (-15C to +40C). Please be sure to pack warm weather and cold weather clothing, and everything in between. If you do not own winter clothing, please be prepared to purchase it on arrival. Your dorm rooms do not come with bedding or towels, We courage you to purchase our sets for $40 to save you suitcase space or weight. Since luggage sometimes gets lost or arrives late, we suggest that you pack one chanGe of clothes, all of your important documents and personal items into a carry-on bag.
The FALL orientation for new international students is MANDATORY and begins Monday, August 3, 2009 at 8:30 am. It is important that you arrive a few days earlier so that you will be rested and ready for orientation/registration. On the first day of orientation you will need to bring your passport and all entry documents to the International Offices at Herr House, 1st Floor, Room 3. At that time, you will be given a finalized schedule for the week. When you check in with International Student Services Office, you need to bring the following:
PLEASE REMEMBER THE EARLIER YOUR ARRIVAL, THE BETTER YOUR CLASS SELECTION AS CLASSES FILL UP EARLY.
Download International Student's Guide 2009-2010
During the week of August 3-7, you will be required to do placement testing in both English and Math (even though you may have submitted the required minimum TOEFL score, your language abilities will also be tested and may result in you being recommended for additional English language classes). Following your testing, we will arrange for your registration with an academic advisor.
NOTE: Freshman, and students admitted on probation are not eligible to sign up for accelerated classes (8-week weekend /evening program), until they change their current academic designation.
After meeting with your advisor and selecting your classes, you are now ready to confirm your classes, which is a Park word for "pay your tuition and fees". Please consult your accounting letter to see how much you will need to wire prior to arrival or pay on arrival for tuition and room and board. Please also plan to have money for start up expenses such as furniture, bedding, clothing, textbooks, school supplies and personal items. You should take care of all financial issues with your bank prior to leaving your country so that you will have the amount necessary to settle your account at registration. If you wish to wire the amount before coming to Park University, keep in mind that an international wire transfer can take 4-6 weeks; therefore, please make every effort to wire in advance. You will need to provide your bank the following information: United Missouri Bank Routing Number ABA 101000695 Swift code: UMKCUS44 Account Number 9870073331 How much money wired. The student’s name and school ID number Download Instruction for International Wire Transfer
Because the United States does not have a socialized medical program, all students are required to purchase medical insurance upon enrollment. Even though the insurance does not cover 100 percent of all costs incurred, the insurance coverage generally pays for a large percentage of cost for illnesses that may occur. For more information about the Park University health insurance, see Campus Life & Services section of the web page.
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