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<p class=MsoNormal>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 <span style='color:
black'>January.</span> Over the next <span style='color:black'>few weeks
I will be sending</span> you emails with very important information concerning
your arrival and things you need to be aware of before you arrive. <b><u><span
style='color:red'>PLEASE READ OVER THESE EMAILS VERY CAREFULLY!</span></u></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive
from our new international students. Please read over the information
very carefully:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>How do I apply for scholarships? </u></b> 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 <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/admissions/tuitionCosts/financialAid/scholarships/scholarships@tamu-commerce.edu">scholarships@tamu-commerce.edu</a>.
You may also visit the website for your academic major at <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/azPrograms/default.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/azPrograms/default.aspx</a>
or visit the admissions offices to see if there are any scholarships available
on their sites. <b><span style='color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:
yellow'>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 <u>recommended you refer all questions or concerns
to the Scholarship office</u> at 903-886-5096 or email <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/admissions/tuitionCosts/financialAid/scholarships/scholarships@tamu-commerce.edu"><span
style='color:red'>scholarships@tamu-commerce.edu</span></a>. </span></b><b><u><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Please
DO NOT email the ISSO to inquire about the status of your scholarship
application.</span><span style='color:red'> </span><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><b><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>Are there any required vaccinations for
international students?</u></b> <b><span style='color:red;background:
yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>There are no required vaccinations for
international students <u>who plan to live off-campus</u>.</span></b> 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 <a
href="mailto:residencelife@tamu-commerce.edu">residencelife@tamu-commerce.edu</a>
or visit <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/default.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/default.aspx</a>.
<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>What are my housing options?</u></b>
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. <b><span
style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>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</span></b>. 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 <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/default.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/housing/prospectiveStudents/default.aspx</a>.
For information on off-campus housing please visit our website at <a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp</a>.
<b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:
yellow'>Please DO NOT email the ISSO to inquire the about the status of your
housing application.</span></u></b><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
color:red'> </span><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><b><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>Does the university provide temporary
housing?</u></b> Unfortunately the university does not provide any temporary
housing accommodations for students prior to the start of the semester.
Please visit <a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Prior_to_arrival.asp</a>
for a list of local hotels or temporary housing options. <b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>How can I find on-campus employment?</u></b>
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 <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/studentEmployment/default.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/studentLife/studentEmployment/default.aspx</a>.
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 <a
href="http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/graduateSchool/funding/assistantships/default.aspx">http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/academics/graduateSchool/funding/assistantships/default.aspx</a>.
<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>When is the international orientation and
do I have to attend?</u></b> International student orientation is on
Thursday, January 13, 2011<span style='color:black'> and will begin at 8:30am
sharp</span><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span>and students should expect to
be involved in orientation and other activities on-campus until 5:00pm. <b><span
style='color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>All international
students are required to attend the orientation.</span></b> <b><u>Undergraduate</u></b>
international students only must also attend a undergraduate orientation and
may visit <a href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/home/orientation/">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/home/orientation/</a>
for more information. <b><u><span style='color:red;background:yellow;
mso-highlight:yellow'>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.</span><span style='color:red'> DO NOT BE
LATE FOR ORIENTATION.</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>When can I check-in with an international
advisor?</u></b> 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 12<sup>th</sup> as we will only check-in during
the posted times regardless of any waiting students. <b><u><span
style='color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>THERE WILL BE NO
CHECK-IN ON THE DAY OF ORIENTATION, AUGUST 26.</span></u></b><span
style='color:black'> 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. </span><b><u><span
style='color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Transfer students must
provide copies of ALL previous I-20’s. Please bring original documents
with you</span><span style='color:red'>.</span></u></b><span style='color:red'>
</span><span style='color:black'>You will also need to provide emergency
contact information and other personal information. </span> <b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>John Mark Jones, Director<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>International Student Services<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Texas A&M University-Commerce<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 3011<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Commerce TX 75429<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(P) 903-886-5097<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(F) 903-468-3200<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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