[NewIntlStudents] Frequently asked questions from the ISSO at A&M-Commerce

Fri Nov 5 08:54:33 CDT 2010

The International Student Services office (ISSO) at Texas A&M
University-Commerce would like to congratulate you on your acceptance to
our university and we look forward to meeting you in January.  Over the
next few weeks I will be sending you emails with very important
information concerning your arrival and things you need to be aware of
before you arrive.  PLEASE READ OVER THESE EMAILS VERY CAREFULLY! 

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from
our new international students.  Please read over the information very
carefully:

*         How do I apply for scholarships?   There are a number of
different scholarships available for both undergraduate and graduate
students.  For information on available scholarships you will need to
contact the Scholarship Office at 903-886-5096 or email
scholarships at tamu-commerce.edu
<http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/admissions/tuitionCosts/financialAid/schol
arships/scholarships at tamu-commerce.edu> .  You may also visit the
website for your academic major at
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/azPrograms/default.aspx or visit
the admissions offices to see if there are any scholarships available on
their sites.  Unfortunately, the ISSO is not involved in the scholarship
process and we cannot provide information on the application process or
the status of your application so it is strongly recommended you refer
all questions or concerns to the Scholarship office at 903-886-5096 or
email scholarships at tamu-commerce.edu
<http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/admissions/tuitionCosts/financialAid/schol
arships/scholarships at tamu-commerce.edu> .  Please DO NOT email the ISSO
to inquire about the status of your scholarship application. 

*         Are there any required vaccinations for international
students?  There are no required vaccinations for international students
who plan to live off-campus.  Any student, international or domestic,
who lives in on-campus housing this fall is required to have a
meningitis vaccination.  You may contact Residential Living and Learning
at 903-886-5797, email residencelife at tamu-commerce.edu or visit
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/def
ault.aspx. 

*         What are my housing options?  Some international students
chose to live on-campus so they may be in close proximity to their
classes, library, and social events.  Others chose to live off-campus or
in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.  Some questions you need to
consider when choosing housing are will  you have reliable
transportation, do you have specific dietary needs, class availability,
and how involved you want to be involved with campus life.  Residence
Life works very hard to accommodate our international students and our
on-campus food provider is making a concerted effort this fall to
provide more food options for our international students that includes a
larger vegetarian option.  For on-campus housing information please
visit
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/def
ault.aspx.  For information on off-campus housing please visit our
website at
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp.  Please
DO NOT email the ISSO to inquire the about the status of your housing
application.  

*         Does the university provide temporary housing?  Unfortunately
the university does not provide any temporary housing accommodations for
students prior to the start of the semester.  Please visit
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp for a
list of local hotels or temporary housing options. 

*         How can I find on-campus employment?  There are two types of
on-campus employment that international students are eligible for-
student worker (not work study) and graduate assistantships.  Current
student worker positions available this spring are listed at
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/studentEmployment/default.aspx.
International students are not eligible for work-study student worker
positions.  Graduate assistantships are highly competitive as they
provide a larger semester salary and may include the in-state tuition
waiver.  Current available assistantships may be found at
http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/graduateSchool/funding/assistants
hips/default.aspx. 

*         When is the international orientation and do I have to attend?
International student orientation is on Thursday, January 13, 2011 and
will begin at 8:30am sharp and students should expect to be involved in
orientation and other activities on-campus until 5:00pm.  All
international students are required to attend the orientation.
Undergraduate international students only must also attend a
undergraduate orientation and may visit
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/home/orientation/ for more information.  We
have made some changes to our orientation and check-in so we may better
serve our international students so please be sure to read your emails
from our office.  DO NOT BE LATE FOR ORIENTATION.

*         When can I check-in with an international advisor?  The ISSO
will have check-in sessions for new students from Wednesday, January 5
to Wednesday, January 12 (closed Saturday and Sunday) from 9-11am and
2-4pm in Halladay 104. We strongly discourage students from waiting to
check-in on January 12th as we will only check-in during the posted
times regardless of any waiting students.   THERE WILL BE NO CHECK-IN ON
THE DAY OF ORIENTATION, AUGUST 26.   Students who do not check-in prior
to orientation will have to attend check-in from 10am-12pm (ONLY during
this time) on Friday, January 14.  You will need to provide copies of
your passport, visa, I-94 (both sides) and the first and last page of
your I-20.  Transfer students must provide copies of ALL previous
I-20's.  Please bring original documents with you.  You will also need
to provide emergency contact information and other personal information.

John Mark Jones, Director

International Student Services

Texas A&M University-Commerce

PO Box 3011

Commerce TX 75429

(P) 903-886-5097

(F) 903-468-3200

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