Undergraduate Student Arrival Guide
Welcome to Tufts
We are thrilled that you are planning to study at Tufts University. Throughout your stay, the staff at the International Center will be happy to assist you in any way we can! Feel free to reach out to your International Student Advisor with questions.
Immigration Information
Immigration Document
Your immigration document, Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), has been sent to your email. Please read Immigration Requirements for Entry to the United States for information about the visa application process and arrival to the US. Begin going through our Checklist for New Students. We recommend scheduling a visa appointment as soon as possible, as it can be difficult to secure a timely appointment at some consulates.
Plan Your Travel
You can enter the United States as early as 30 days before your program start date. The start date is indicated on the Program of Study section on page 1 of the Form I-20 or section 3 of the Form DS-2019. Learn what documents to carry and what to expect when you arrive in the US. Make sure you have a plan for where you will be staying upon arrival if you are not able to move into your on-campus housing immediately. Be prepared for your trip from Logan Airport to Tufts.
Pre-Arrival Information
Please review our Getting Started Resource Guide for useful information on a variety of topics.
Tuition and Fee Payments
Financing your education can be complicated. Please remember that in order to obtain your immigration document, you demonstrated that you (or your sponsor) are able to finance your entire education and living expenses while studying at Tufts University. You should, therefore, come to Tufts University fully expecting to personally finance your education, with the exception of any financial aid that you may have been granted. Be sure you are also prepared to cover living expenses in the US or travel costs for summer and winter breaks. The University provides practically no loans to international students, and part-time jobs on campus are limited. The US Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations also severely limit off-campus employment, especially during the first nine months of school.
Money
We recommend that you carry sufficient small amounts of cash and credit/debit cards to cover your expenses for the first few weeks of your stay here, until you can open a US bank account or receive funds from abroad. Initial start-up expenses (not including tuition and fees) will be approximately $600 - $1,200.
Health Insurance and Immunizations
All international students must complete health requirements and review insurance information before arriving at Tufts University. All students must be enrolled in an approved health insurance plan and pay the student health services fee each semester. Please direct all questions regarding health insurance and immunizations to Tufts Health Service.
All students must complete required health documentation by July 1st.
Submit required vaccination records via the Patient Portal. Use the official immunization form to discuss the requirements with your doctor.
Tufts automatically enrolls students in the Student Health Insurance Plan. Review coverage, benefits, and costs here.
Students with comparable insurance coverage may request a SHIP waiver. Review requirements before submitting a waiver request.
Vision Insurance
Vision coverage is included when enrolled in SHIP.
Learn about services supported by the mandatory Student Health and Wellness fee.
Optional Dental Insurance
Students may request to enroll in an optional dental insurance plan.
Optional Tuition Insurance
Tuition insurance helps protect against financial loss related to withdrawal or medical leave. Any student may request to enroll.
Arriving on Campus
Orientation
You are required to attend an Immigration Orientation session that will cover the regulations of your visa and how to maintain your visa status. Please check our Orientation site for the date and location of the session. We will also send you the details via email.
In addition to participating in the mandatory Undergraduate Orientation, you can opt to particpate in a Pre-Orientation program. The Pre-Orientation programs are an opportunity to get involved on campus early, meet upperclass leaders and mentors, gain valuable leadership skills, and meet other students with similar interests. The International Center oversees the Global Orientation Pre-Orientation program but all programs are available to international students.
Course Registration
You are required to enroll full-time while studying at Tufts. Full-time equals 12 credits each semester.
Confirmation of Arrival
When you arrive in the US, you must confirm your arrival with the International Center via the International Center Portal. You will receive an email with instructions on how to complete this request at the start of the semester.
Open a Bank Account and Get a Cell Phone
You should plan on opening a US bank account soon after arriving in the US. You will also likely need a US cell phone plan for the best service and accessibility.