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A GUIDE for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Page Three - University Services
Introduction
Community and Campus
Page Two - Academic Divisions and Programs
Page Three - University Services
Majors Offered
 Alphabetical Listing
Listing by College/School
Morgantown has many options for housing, including houses, apartments (in houses or large units), mobile homes, sleeping rooms, private residence halls (also known as dormitories or "dorms"), and University-owned and operated apartments and residence halls.
On-Campus: The University operates residence hall facilities for undergraduate students and apartments for faculty, staff, graduate and married students. However, most of the University-owned apartments and housing units for graduate students are leased by students who are currently enrolled in the University, and space is extremely limited. Further information is available from the Housing and University Apartments website and the telephone number is 304-293-2811.
Off-Campus: The University's Off-campus Housing Office, located in E. Moore Hall on the downtown campus, has information and advice about apartments, houses and privately owned residence halls. The Office also has updated listings of available apartments located on the Off-campus Housing Website.
If you plan to live off-campus you should plan to arrive at Morgantown at least one week before New International Student Orientation in order to find suitable housing.
Health Care
Health care in the United States can very expensive. For this reason all international students are required to purchase or show proof of adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay at WVU. Most students are required to pay a health service fee. The fee covers all services offered by the University Health Service, with the exception of medications, x-rays, and certain elective procedures. Those students who are not required to pay the University Health Service Fee are given the option to do so.
Health Service: The University Student Health Service Center is located at Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center and provides outpatient health care. This facility is available to faculty and students, but not to their families. The Health Service provides students with general health care, laboratory and radiology testing, routine gynecology, family planning, some immunizations, physical therapy, and psychiatric services.
Dental Care: Routine dental care is not covered by medical health insurance. Separate dental insurance can be bought, but it is extremely expensive. Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center has a Dental School Student Clinic, which provides inexpensive care.
Office of International Students and Scholars
The Office of International Students and Scholars has University-wide responsibilities and provides numerous services and programs for the international student population at West Virginia University. The Office serves as a liaison with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in processing immigration forms for international students and temporary faculty members, and visa papers and exchange information for exchange students and scholars. Advisors work closely with the International Student Association to sponsor activities that enhance cross-cultural understanding among all students and provide an opportunity for fun and enlightening social activities. The Office also provides advice and counseling about financial and academic concerns.
You are encouraged to get involved in the activities of the International Student Association and the other international clubs and organizations on campus.
The Office also organizes two New International Student Orientation Programs each year. The first program takes place in the middle of August at the beginning of the academic year. The two-day program includes discussion of immigration regulations, the U.S. academic system, cross-cultural adjustment, registration procedures, and insurance responsibilities. It also includes a campus tour and information about many campus and community organizations. The second program occurs in January for students who join the University for the spring semester. This program encompasses the same topics as the August orientation. All international students are strongly encouraged to attend an orientation program at the beginning of their studies at West Virginia University.
The Office of International Students and Scholars also offers assistance to new international students upon arrival. Arrangements can be made to meet new international students at the Morgantown Airport or Morgantown Bus Station. The office can also arrange for temporary housing for new international students. If you need arrival assistance you must provide the office with exact information regarding your arrival at Morgantown. Be sure to contact the office early so that arrangements can be made.
Visa Information
When you have met all requirements for admission to West Virginia University and have shown the appropriate documentation of financial support, the Office of Admissions and Records will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status (form I-20) or Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (form IAP-66). You may present the appropriate form together with evidence of adequate financial resources, your admission letter, and valid passport to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for a visa to the United States. You are required to attend the institution whose form I-20 you use to obtain your visa for at least one full semester before you may request permission to transfer to another school.
If you are currently studying in the United States as an F-1, you will need to apply for transfer of schools. To initiate the transfer procedure with Immigration, , you must be prepared to present the I-20, with your I-20 student copy and passport, to the Office of International Students and Scholars within 15 days after your initial enrollment at West Virginia University.
Students on J-1 Exchange Visitor status who are currently living in the United States and desiring to transfer to WVU are required to have Section 8 on the IAP-66 endorsed by the current program sponsor. This form should be presented to one of the advisors upon arrival at the Office of International Students and Scholars so that proper transfer of program procedures will be followed.
West Virginia University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Employment
United States immigration laws restrict employment opportunities and preclude financial planning based on part-time employment earnings for non-immigrant students. Part-time employment permission can only be granted by Immigration to F-1 students who have completed at least nine months of study and have demonstrated economic necessity due to unforeseen circumstances after their entry into the United States. Part-time employment opportunities on campus may sometimes be available, and international students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus. However, most new students find it necessary to devote their time and energy to study and adjustment to a new environment. Graduate students on assistantships may work for the department in which they are studying. Such on-campus work is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. An F-1 non-immigrant student's spouse (F-2) is not eligible to accept
employment.
J-1 exchange-visitor students may work only if the employment is approved in advance and in writing. Approvals can be given by the Responsible Officers of the J-1 Programs. Additionally, a J-1 student may only be authorized to accept part-time employment off-campus if there is an urgent financial need, which has arisen since obtaining the exchange-visitor status. Questions concerning J-1 employment provisions should be directed to:
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
Supervisor, International Admissions
Office of Admissions and Records
West Virginia University
PO Box 6009
Morgantown WV 26506-6009
USA
Phone (304) 293-2121
FAX (304) 293-8832
E-mail - InternationalAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Housing and University Apartments
West Virginia University
PO Box 6430
Morgantown WV 26506-6430
USA
Phone (304) 293-2811
FAX (304) 293-3369
Website: http://www.sa.wvu.edu/housing/index.htm
Assistant Dean
International Students and Foreign Scholars
Office of International Students and Scholars
West Virginia University
PO Box 6411
Morgantown WV 26506-6411
USA
Phone (304) 293-3519
FAX (304) 293-7028
E-mail - Peter.Li@mail.wvu.edu
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