Accepted Inbound Exchange Students

The Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status is required for all accepted international students seeking an F-1 student visa. Except for Canadian citizens, international students will need to have a visa stamp issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to enter the U.S. F-1 visa stamps cannot be obtained or renewed inside the U.S. OGE issues the I-20 for all incoming international students.

Upon acceptance to an exchange program, submit the following required documents to international@purchase.edu for your I-20:

• A copy of your passport biographical page
• The International Student Financial Statement Form
• Proof of funding. Refer to the cost sheet included in your acceptance letter to identify the total funds you must demonstrate. Here is the full list of funding sources we accept. 

Once all required documents are submitted, OGE will review your information to issue you an I-20. We will contact you directly via email if we have any questions about the information provided. Once your I-20 has been issued, you will receive a confirmation email from OGE containing the UPS tracking number as well as your SEVIS ID and Purchase’s School Code so that you may apply for your visa appointment.

Once you receive your Form I-20 from OGE, you can apply for an F-1 visa. Visit the Applying for your Visa page for complete instructions. 

• Purchase Faculty Coordinators create a list of suggested courses for you depending on the program you are participating in. OGE will reach out to you via email with this list and the Add/Drop Registration Form.
• Return the Add/Drop form to international@purchase.edu by April 30, 2021.
• If you are a dance student, the Conservatory of Dance will submit the course registration form on your behalf. No action is required on your part.

To set up your account, visit the Current Students page and click the ‘myHeliotrope’ link. This portal allows you to access your Purchase email, e-bill, password and more. Please follow the instruction to activate account. You will need to enter your initials, date of birth and alternate email address (provided in your exchange application to Purchase College) to activate your account. Your Purchase e-mail will be the primary way that we communicate with you, so please check it frequently.

• OGE reserves housing for inbound exchange students who wish to live on campus. In order to confirm your intent and receive your housing assignment, you must complete the following steps:
  • Pay the housing deposit ($250 USD payable by credit card) and complete the Residence Life License Agreement myHeliotrope, the Purchase College student portal by May 7, 2021.
• Emergency Contact Listing: When applying for on-campus housing though myHeliotrope, you are required to put a U.S. Emergency Contact phone number and address. If you do not have an emergency contact in the U.S., you can list the Senior Education Abroad and International Student Coordinator with ‘UPD,’ our University Police Department’s contact info. For after-hours emergencies, UPD can contact the Office for Global Engagement to make international emergency calls. If you need this, please be sure to input:
  • UPD / Marjorie Ramirez 
    914-251-6900
    735 Anderson Hill Rd
    Purchase, NY 10577

• Meal Plans and Dining Options are available for both students living on and off campus. For more information, please visit Purchase Dining Services.  
• Students who live in apartments on campus are not required to purchase a meal plan.

• The college offers a primary healthcare facility on the campus, which provides direct patient services for routine medical conditions and refers students to off-campus specialists, as necessary. To assist the staff of Health Services in providing students with quality care, each new student must submit the following forms to HSE@purchase.edu:
  • College Entrance Health History and Physical Examination
  • MMR Immunization Record
• Complete these forms by July 1, 2021: New York State Law and college policy prohibits students from registering for or attending any classes before completing this requirement. Because it is not likely that these forms will reach the college by mail before you arrive, do not mail them.
• Please follow the forms’ directions on how to submit them (do not send directly to Office for Global Education). If you have any questions you may email HSE@purchase.edu
• We highly suggest that international students bring a copy of their immunization record with them to Purchase.

Please note all international students will be enrolled in the International Student Health Insurance Plan offered by the State University of New York (SUNY). If you have questions on this, please contact OGE at international@purchase.edu. The premium for the insurance will be included in your semester bill.

• Upload a photo and obtain your student ID Card before arriving on campus.  Instructions are on the More Card Office page. 
• Contact the More Card Office at morecard@purchase.edu if you have any questions.
• Complete the process by August 15, 2021 in order to have your student ID Card ready by the start of the semester.

• Fall eBills will be available to view in August. You will receive a message in your Purchase College email when the eBill is available online.
• Instructions about wire transfers are in the bill and on the Student Financial Services Accounts and Billing page.
• If you have questions about your eBill, contact Student Financial Services at (914) 251-7000 or financialservices@purchase.edu.

• Make Travel Arrangements: It is common for students to wait until they have received a visa, but please note, the longer you wait, the more expensive transportation can be. We require students to make travel arrangements and notify our office by August 1, 2021 by emailing international@purchase.edu the following items:
  • Your Name (Last, First)
  • Mobile Telephone Number (including country code)
  • Your non-Purchase email address
  • Emergency Contact Name, Location (i.e. Paris, France), Phone Number (including country code), and Email Address
  • How you are arriving (air, bus, car, etc.)
  • Your arrival date in the U.S.
  • Are you living on campus or off?
  • Have you verified your housing (deposited for on campus with confirmation or obtained an apartment off campus)?
  • Your expected date and arrival time to Purchase College

• Students are responsible for arranging travel to campus. Due to COVID-19, the shuttle van services we typically recommend from airports, such as Go Shuttle, are not in service. Instead, shuttle companies can only offer private vehicles for safety reasons. Services such as Lyft/Uber are significantly more cost effective than the private vehicle through Go Shuttle. We strongly recommend you compare prices and choose the option you are most comfortable with.
• Students are eligible to enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the start of their program; July 31, 2021. PLEASE NOTE: Purchase College will not be able to accommodate students with on campus housing or meal plans prior to their assigned move-in date; all hotel/meals are at the student’s expense.
• Special Note for Students Crossing an Air Border: Be sure that you keep all required documents in your carry-on luggage. You need these documents to be accessible, especially if there are any delays with receiving your checked baggage. Keep handy:
  • Passport
  • Form I-20
  • Acceptance Letter
  • Supporting documentation: housing, billing, or registration information

• Special Note for Students Crossing a Land Border into the United States: You will be required to present your Form I-20 for processing.
  • Please be sure to clearly state this is your first time entering the U.S. for purposes of F-1 Student Visa Study.
  • You will be asked to process documents inside the main office so do not be surprised if you are asked inside for further questioning.
  • Please carry with you your:
    • Passport
    • Original Form I-20
    • SEVISE Fee Receipts
    • Copies of the financial documents you submitted to Purchase
  • Please be aware that you will need to pay a $6.00 I-94 Processing Fee; be prepared with U.S. Dollars (not debit/credit) to pay for this.

• Due to the fluid nature of the current situation, the move-in date and time is subject to change. More detailed information is forthcoming.
• Please Note: Purchase College cannot accommodate students who arrive early to campus; there is no housing or meals before your assigned move-in date. If you arrive to the U.S. earlier than this date, you are responsible for any hotel and/or meal costs.

• Orientation is mandatory for both those students living on and off campus. We will be reviewing visa/immigration information, academic expectations, support services and general campus resources (banking, clubs/activities, food options, etc.).
• Additional information can be found on the International Student Orientation site.

• You are required to attend Phase T.W.O. New Student Orientation.
• Complete details can be found on the Phase T.W.O. Orientation page.

You are welcome to ship personal belongings to Purchase College. They must be sent to your attention, as indicated below. Arrival of packages for holding should not be more than two weeks before the start of the academic semester.

To: YOUR NAME
c/o Purchase College – Mailroom
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577 USA
Hold for Arrival on DATE