{"id":7463,"date":"2015-01-12T14:52:49","date_gmt":"2015-01-12T19:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/?page_id=7463"},"modified":"2022-07-26T13:24:10","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T17:24:10","slug":"new-student-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/getting-started\/new-student-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"New Student FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n

When is the ISSO Open?<\/h3>
\n

Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
\nWednesdays from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
\nThursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm<\/p>\n

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What should I always bring with me to the ISSO?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

-Your valid passport
\n-Most current visa
\n-I-20 (if you\u2019re an F-1 student) or DS-2019 (if you\u2019re a J-1 student)<\/p>\n

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\n

Who is my International Student Advisor?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Each school or college at Boston University is assigned an International Student Advisor (ISA).\u00a0 To find your ISA, please visit our website at and\u00a0locate the name of your school or college<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The ISSO also has an Advisor-on-Call (AOC) available during business hours to assist students in emergency situations.<\/p>\n

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\n

How do I register for classes?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Consult with your\u00a0school or college\u00a0<\/a>about the class registration process.\u00a0 Please keep in mind that as an F-1 or J-1 student, you must register for a full course of study, which at BU means 12 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters, or 8 credits per Summer Term.<\/p>\n

For more information, please refer to the \u00a0Office of the University Registrar\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Where can I get my BU ID card?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

You can get a BU ID card (\u201cTerrier Card\u201d) at the\u00a0Terrier Card Office<\/a>, located at the George Sherman Union (775 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level).\u00a0 You must show you passport in order to obtain a Terrier Card.<\/p>\n

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How can I find housing on or off campus?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

The\u00a0BU Housing website<\/a>\u00a0provides numerous resources for on and off-campus housing:
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Where do I submit my health forms and immunization records?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Submit documents relating to your health records and insurance to\u00a0Student Health Services<\/a>\u00a0(881 Commonwealth Avenue, West Entrance)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Where should I pay my tuition and fees?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Please visit the\u00a0Student Accounting Services office<\/a>\u00a0to pay for your academic tuition and other fees.\u00a0 Student Accounting Services is located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Second Floor.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Where do I buy books for classes?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

You can buy textbooks and other books for classes at the\u00a0Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Kenmore Square<\/a>\u00a0(660 Beacon Street, Kenmore Square T stop)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

How can I set up a bank account?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Check with individual banks for specific requirements.\u00a0 Most of the banks on campus require an unexpired passport and your BU Terrier Card.\u00a0 Neither the ISSO nor Boston University can recommend nor endorse a particular company.<\/p>\n

For more information on banking and currency, please click here<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How can I get a cell phone?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Cell phone companies generally request their customers\u2019 social security numbers so that they can establish whether or not their customers have good credit histories.\u00a0 If you do not have a social security number, many major phone companies will not require one; instead, they will ask for a deposit.\u00a0 The amount of this deposit will vary by company.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How can I meet other students from my country?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Go to the\u00a0Student Activities Office<\/a>\u00a0and see if there is a club or group from your home country.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

How do I set up my BU email account?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

You can set up your BU email at one of the\u00a0IT Help Centers<\/a>\u00a0on campus: in the Mugar Library (771 Commonwealth Avenue), or at 533 Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square.\u00a0 Please check your BU email account regularly for important ISSO updates and announcements.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

How can I find an on-campus job?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

F-1 and J-1 students may be employed at most on-campus jobs.\u00a0 An on-campus job is defined as a job posted by the Student Employment Office that is located on a BU campus and paid through the BU Student Payroll.\u00a0 Outside vendors, such as restaurants and companies, that have locations on a BU are not considered on-campus jobs.<\/p>\n

During the Fall and Spring semesters, students may work part-time, up to 20 hours per week.\u00a0 You may not work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session.\u00a0 During the summer break, winter intersession, and spring break periods, students may work full-time, more than 20 hours per week.\u00a0 However, if the summer term will be your first or last academic semester, you may only work up to 20 hours a week during the summer period.<\/p>\n

To find an on-campus job, visit the\u00a0Student Employment Office<\/a>\u00a0website for a list of available opportunities.\u00a0 After you secure a job, please come to the ISSO with your immigration documents to complete an I-9 employment form.\u00a0 At that time, you may also inquire about information regarding social security numbers.<\/p>\n

Please note, J-1 students must get student employment permission from the ISSO before obtaining an on-campus job.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

How can I get a social security number?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

A\u00a0Social Security Card<\/a>\u00a0provides a unique identification number that allows the United States government to monitor and tax wages earned by employees in the U.S.\u00a0 Although the ISSO recommends that students apply for a social security number if they intend to work, it is not necessary to have a social security number in order to be employed.<\/p>\n

Social security card applications must be made at the Social Security Administration in Boston.\u00a0 Depending on your immigration status, there are different steps to take with your employer and at the ISSO before going to the Social Security Administration. Please call the ISSO, refer to our website, or visit our office to learn about the correct process for your immigration category.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Where can I complete \u201cSemester Verification\u201d?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

It is a federal regulation that a school must report a student\u2019s physical presence on campus at the beginning of each academic semester.\u00a0 Boston University students must go in person to the ISSO or another designated office to report their presence.\u00a0 If you do not complete semester verification within the specified time frame, you risk falling out of lawful immigration status.<\/p>\n

To complete semester verification, please come to the ISSO or go to a designated office in your school or college.\u00a0 You should bring your student ID to complete verification; you do not need your immigration documents if semester verification is the only request you are making.\u00a0 A list of offices where you can complete semester verification can be found on the ISSO website.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How can I get a Travel Signature?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

A\u00a0travel signature<\/a>\u00a0is a signed endorsement from the ISSO that indicates you are eligible to re-enter the United States and resume your studies after travelling abroad.\u00a0 Only a Designated School Official (DSO) \u2013 an advisor or administrator at the ISSO \u2013 can give you a travel signature.\u00a0 A travel signature is valid for one year from the date it is given.<\/p>\n

To request a travel signature, please come into the ISSO office with your I-20 or DS-2019, your passport(s).\u00a0 For students on the Charles River campus, this request takes one full business day to process.\u00a0 Students coming from the Medical Campus are able to receive a travel signature on the same business day.\u00a0 To allow sufficient processing time, the ISSO recommends that you request a travel signature at least one week in advance of your travel date.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is there anything I need to do when I return to Boston after traveling internationally?<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

It is always a good idea to check with the ISSO to take photocopies of any new passports or visas you may have received.\u00a0 This is important for your own security, so that if anything happens to your immigration documents, you may be assured of having a copy on file at the ISSO.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Frequently Asked Questions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9593,"featured_media":0,"parent":4052,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7463"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9593"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7463"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7463\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14026,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7463\/revisions\/14026"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}