Information for New International Students

Table of Contents

1. Paying Your SEVIS FEE
2. How to Get Your UWM E-mail Address
3. What to Do When You Arrive at UWM
4. International Student Orientation
5. Health Insurance
6. Want to Change the Term of Your Admission?
7. Placement Tests for New Freshmen
8. Social Security Numbers

 

Paying Your SEVIS Fee

If you will be an F1 or J1 student for the first time, you need to pay the SEVIS fee. 

You can find more information about this fee in your Welcome booklet and on the official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/

Note: in some cases, students who are not new students will need to pay the SEVIS fee. Please see the following website for details on who pays--or does not pay--the SEVIS I-901 fee: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq3.htm#_Toc81222002

 

How to Get Your UWM E-mail Address

If you have been admitted to UWM, please go to the following website to set your UWM e-mail account:

https://www-ssl.uwm.edu/IMT/ePanther/aa/

Type in your UWM student ID#: 99  -    -     and your date-of-birth (mm/dd/yyyy). 

Follow the instructions carefully.

If you have any questions about your e-mail address or account, please contact the Help Desk at help@uwm.edu or 414-229-4040.

 

What to Do When You Arrive at UWM

Within three days of your arrival in Milwaukee, you are required to check in and sign up for mandatory international student orientation at the office of International Student and Scholar Services in Garland Hall, room 138. Bring your passport, visa, I-94 card and I-20 or DS-2019.

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone: 414-229-4846.

 

International Student Orientation

All incoming international students are required to attend international student orientation.  The orientation program is designed to make your transition to life as a student in the U.S. and at UWM as easy as possible.  We will provide you with essential information about immigration rules and regulations, as well as information regarding academic expectations, health insurance, safety and security, and university services and policies.

New International Student Orientation Spring 2010

All Day Mandatory International Student Orientation:

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

• time: 9am-4:30pm
• Hefter Center: map

Other UWM Orientations

The international student orientation program is not the only orientation program that you may be required to participate in. Graduate students should check with their academic departments for more information.

 

Health Insurance

If you are coming to UWM as an F1 or J1 student, you are required to have adequate health insurance.  UWM has negotiated a reasonable rate for international students through a private insurance company. More information about the health insurance offered by UWM, including enrollment instructions.

You have two choices:

1. Enroll the insurance plan through the private company.  If you wait until you arrive at UWM to purchase insurance, we encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover you until the new policy begins.
2. Provide proof of your own adequate health insurance. Note: If you have an assistantship that provides insurance through UWM, you should choose this option.

Important: If you do not purchase the insurance (#1) or submit an insurance waiver form (#2), you will not be eligible to register for classes in future terms until you submit the information.

 

Want to Change the Term of Your Admission?

If you are unable to come to UWM for the term for which you were admitted and want to defer your admission to another semester, email us at isss@uwm.edu. Be sure to provide your full name, campus ID# and the term you to which you would like to defer.

 

Placement Tests for New Freshmen

All new freshmen at UWM must take placement exams before they can register for classes. 

You can find more information about this process at:http://www4.uwm.edu/des/testing/placementtests.cfm

Social Security Numbers

The U.S. government assigns Social Security numbers to people who are authorized to work in the United States and who have employment.  If you are employed in the U.S., you must have a Social Security number.  Note: if you do not have a job offer, you are not eligible for a Social Security number.

International Student and Scholar Services can often arrange for Social Security Officers to visit UWM to accept your application for a Social Security card during the new international student orientation period. When you check in at ISSS, be sure to ask if you can apply for a Social Security number at orientation time. The following instructions will help you if you are applying at any other time.

How To Apply for a Social Security Number

After getting a job at UWM:

1. Get the form “Letter of Offer for On Campus Employment” from the ISSS office in Garland 138.  Give it to your on-campus employer and have them complete it.  (If you have an assistantship, ISSS will complete this form.  You do not need to take it to your department.)
2. Return the form to ISSS and then receive a second letter to verify your visa status & employment eligibility.
3. Take both letters, your passport, visa, I-94 card, and UWM I-20 to the Social Security Administration office.  Although there are several offices in the Milwaukee area, we encourage you to visit the one located at 310 West Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee. Important: You must have ALL of the required letters & documents in order to get a Social Security number.  If you are missing any required documentation, you will not be eligible to apply.
4. When you apply for a Social Security number you will be required to complete and submit an application, Form SS-5, available at the Social Security office and at the following site: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
5. Be sure to ask for a Receipt of application from the Social Security Officer. If you are applying prior to the start date of your job, then the Receipt will be mailed to you.

After you have applied for a Social Security number:

1. Take your receipt to the payroll office in Engelmann Hall, Room 170.
2. When you receive your original Social Security card in the mail, take it to the payroll office in Engelmann Hall Room 170 so they can make a copy.

Note: It can take 2 weeks to 2 months to receive your original card in the mail.