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Information for New International Students

Table of Contents

  1. Paying Your SEVIS FEE
  2. How to Get Your UWM E-mail Address
  3. When to Arrive at UWM
  4. International Student Orientation
  5. Health Insurance
  6. How to Defer Admission or Change the Semester for Which You Would Like to Enroll
  7. Placement Tests for New Undergraduate Students
  8. Social Security Number

 

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#: 99X-XX-XXX and your date-of-birth (mm/dd/yyyy).  Be sure to ollow 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.

 

When to Arrive at UWM

The start date on your Initial Attendance I-20 is the day before classes begin.  This date is the last date you can legally enter the US.  You are eligible to arrive up to 30 days before this date. We strongly encourage you to arrive in Milwaukee with enough time toprepare for the beginning of classes.  In addition to mandatory international student orientation, you may be required to attend a department orientation, take placement exams, arrange housing, or other important tasks.

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, 8:00 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, campus resources, health insurance, safety and security, and university services and policies.

You must check-in in Garland Hall 138 with your passport, I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 within three days of arriving in Milwaukee.  Part of the check-in process will be to sign up for one of the orientations.

International Student Orientation, including mandatory immigration regulations on how to maintain status, academics (academic success, misconduct, plagiarism, etc.), cultural adjustment and culture shock issues, health insurance, knowing your rights in the US as an international student, lunch, and additional topics. This is a good orientation for students new to the US or who wish to meet new people prior to their program starting.

 

*Friday, August 24
Time: Check-in begins at 8:30am. Orientation is from 9am-4pm
Location: Hefter Center
For GRADUATE students only

 

*Monday, August 27
Time: Check-in begins at 8:30am. Orientation is from 9am-4pm
Location: Hefter Center
For GRADUATE students only

*Wednesday, August 29
Time: Check-in begins at 8:30am. Orientation is from 9am-4pm
Location: Hefter Center
For UNDERGRADUATE students only

*Friday, August 31
Time: Check-in begins at 8:30am. Orientation is from 9am-4pm
Location: Hefter Center
For UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE students


International Student Orientation "Just the Facts", including only mandatory immigration regulations on how to maintain status, academics, and health insurance information. This is a good orientation for transfer students or those who have already lived in the US.

*Tuesday, August 21
Time: Check-in begins at 1:30pm. Orientation is from 2-4pm
Location: Curtain Hall 175
For UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE students

 

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.

 

How to Defer Admission or Change the Semester for Which You Would Like to Enroll

If you would like to change your term of entry to UWM from one semester to another, please email us at isss@uwm.edu.  Be sure to include your full name and campus ID number.

 

Placement Tests for New Undergraduate Students

All incoming undergraduate students are required to complete placement exams before they can register for classes. You will be required to complete 2 or 3 placement exams depending on your major. You can register for your test date online at www.testregistration.uwm.edu

Information about the tests including sample questions can be found online at https://www4.uwm.edu/des/testing/placementtests.cfm

Required tests:

1. Math Placement - you can sign up to complete this exam any time 'Placement' or 'Placement-Expanded' is offered

2. English placement - You must complete one of these exams:

ESL-PIC - for non-native speakers of English. You can sign up to complete this exam any time 'ESL-PIC' is offered

or

English Placement  - for native speakers of English.  You can sign up to complete this exam any time 'Placement' or 'Placement-Expanded' is offered

Additional requirement:

Some majors require that you complete a chemistry placement test. A list of majors that requires this test can be found online at https://www4.uwm.edu/des/testing/placementtests.cfm#chemistry

You can sign up to complete this exam any time 'Placement' or 'Placement-Expanded' is offered



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.

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.