International Students FAQ

Is financial aid available for international students?

International Undergraduate students are eligible for scholarships based on their educational history. International Admissions will note your award within your acceptance letter.

Merit Aid

How do I make a payment from an international bank or credit card?

There are a variety of methods available to you to ease paying your bill. The University's preferred method for payments from international bank accounts or credit cards is Flywire. 

Visit Enrollment Services for questions about your bill, payment options, and payment plans. 

You may pay your bill in Self Service or Connect2U.

Is housing guaranteed on campus?

Questions about housing should be directed to Residence Life.

• Undergraduate students: First- and second-year students are required to live on campus starting in Fall 2019. Students should choose their housing and their roommate by following the New Student Housing Selection. Housing costs are available on our website.
• Exchange students: required to live on campus while at the University. Students should choose their housing and their roommate by following the New Student Housing Selection. Housing costs are available on our website.
• Graduate students are encouraged to live on campus for their first year so they can get acclimated to the university. If interested in living on campus, view the steps and cost at Residence Life's Graduate Housing site.

If I live on campus, where do I live during extended breaks/vacation periods?

Residence Halls are generally open during long breaks. However, Dining Services are limited, so students will need to make their own plans for eating.  

Approximately three weeks before breaks, Residence Life will send out the Break Housing Application Form.

Residence Life

How do I register for courses?

• Degree-seeking undergraduate international students will be assigned an academic advisor. You will be pre-registered for classes prior to arrival. All students will finalize registration during International Student Orientation. You should take your Placement Tests prior to arriving on campus.
• Exchange Students can plan their courses and pre-register themselves in Self-Service. All students will finalize registration during International Student Orientation. 
• Graduate Students may register themselves online in Self-Service or wait until they arrive on campus.

*If registering yourself, you must ensure your university email account is set up before you try to register.*

How will I get from the area airports to Springfield?

From Hartford: The best option is to take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from the airport to the University. This will be faster and more economical. The ride should be no more than 15 minutes. You should tell your driver that upon arrival at the University, they should enter the campus at the intersection of Wilbraham Road and Evergreen Road and continue past the three round buildings to Public Safety. Once at Public Safety, you will be given keys to your housing and Public Safety may help you to your room.

From Boston: The best option is to take a bus from the airport to downtown Springfield. Students generally use the Peter Pan Bus Company. This bus can pick you up from the airport and take you to the Springfield station. Depending on traffic and the amount of stops, it takes about 3.5-4 hours and costs $25 from Boston to Springfield. Once in Springfield, you should take a taxi/Uber/Lyft from the airport to the University. This will be faster and more economical. The ride should be no more than 15 minutes. You should tell your driver that upon arrival at the University, they should enter the campus at the intersection of Wilbraham Road and Evergreen Road and continue past the three round buildings to Public Safety. Once at Public Safety, you will be given keys to your housing and Public Safety may help you to your room.

Or, you can take Bus 17 from the Springfield Bus Terminal. Bus schedules vary so please be sure to check them BEFORE you arrive in the USA. The bus will be cheaper, but it will take longer and be more complicated so it is not recommended. The bus will drop you off at the Welcome Center. Once there, you will need to walk across campus to Public Safety. Once at Public Safety, you will be given keys to your housing and Public Safety may help you to your room.

From New York City/Newark: There are numerous options available and will require you to take airport shuttles, buses, taxis, or trains. One of the best options is to get to the Port Authority Bus Station in New York City since there is a bus to take you to the Springfield Bus Terminal. Most students take the Peter Pan Bus Company to Springfield. Once in Springfield, you should take a taxi taxi/Uber/Lyft from the airport to the University. This will be faster and the most economical. The ride should be no more than 15 minutes. You should tell your driver that upon arrival to the University they should enter the campus at the intersection of Wilbraham Road and Evergreen Road and continue past the three round buildings to Public Safety. Once at Public Safety, you will be given keys to your housing and Public Safety may help you to your room.

Or, you can take Bus 17 from the Springfield Bus Terminal. Bus schedules vary so please be sure to check them BEFORE you arrive in the USA. The bus will be cheaper, but it will take longer and be more complicated so it is not recommended. The bus will drop you off at the Welcome Center. Once there, you will need to walk across campus to Public Safety. Once at Public Safety, you will be given keys to your housing and Public Safety may help you to your room.

May I work on campus?

Yes, students are limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and 20+ hours during breaks.

What kind of employment opportunities do I have off campus?

U.S. federal regulations do not allow international students to work off-campus. Exceptions are allowed for specific circumstances, but only with the consent of IPE and federal government approval, which can take several months.

Do I have to purchase health insurance?

Massachusetts and Federal law require all students to show proof that they have health insurance coverage while they are attending a higher education institution in the Commonwealth.

• Degree-seeking undergraduate students – you must have insurance or waive the university’s policy.
• Exchange students
  • Full-year exchange students are required to enroll in the university’s insurance or waive the university’s insurance if they have a U.S.-based policy and their personal plan can meet or exceed the university requirements.
  • One-semester exchange students can purchase a specific university plan intended for one-semester students or waive the university’s insurance if they have a U.S.-based policy. Students are still required to have an insurance plan that meets Department of State requirements. 
• Graduate students are required to enroll in the university’s insurance or waive the university’s insurance if they have a U.S.-based policy and their personal plan can meet or exceed the university requirements.
• Scholars (and their dependents) are required to have an insurance plan that meets Department of State requirements. 

Waiving the University's Insurance
You have the option to ‘waive’ the university’s student insurance by going here. Your health insurance MUST meet the minimum standards set by the state: Massachusetts Universal Health Care Standards). Please compare the minimum standards with your own personal policy. Your personal policy must be from a U.S. based company so that it works at U.S. hospitals and clinics and the plan must be better or the same as the University's.

Am I required to have immunizations and submit my health records?

All new undergraduate, Law, Pharmacy, and OTD students are required to complete the university’s health forms and have certain immunizations.

Students should complete the appropriate Health Form. Students may be required to complete the Tuberculosis Form.