ISSS: August 6 – Important Tips & Information For New International Student
bank & cell phone accounts
Tips for Students & Scholars Who Arrive Early
Students and scholars who arrive early should stop by ISSS, Talbert Hall 210 for tips on opening bank accounts and maps to banks which are accustomed to opening accounts for internationals, and streamline procedures for them. Note: It is possible to open a bank account without a UB card, Social Security Card or even proof of address in Buffalo.
Bank & Cell Phone Representatives at International Student Orientation
Students and scholars will be able to open bank and cell phone accounts on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00) and Monday, August 22 (9:00-3:00). Representatives from AT&T, Bank of America, HSBC, M&T Bank and Sprint will be in Knox Hall opening accounts on those days, as well as on Friday, August 26 (9:00-1:00).
Note: Students and scholars who do not have Social Security Cards and do not want to pay deposits will be able to open cell phone accounts and get their cell phones at that time.
AT&T Kiosk in UB Card Office
AT&T will also have a kiosk in the UB Card Office, Student Union 228 and open accounts there as follows:
Week of August 8: Monday-Friday: 10:00-3:00 (2:00 on Friday)
Week of August 15: Monday-Friday: 10:00-3:00
Week of August 22: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday: 12:00-3:00
Week of August 29: Monday-Friday: 10:00-3:00
driver’s licenses
New York State Law: Options for Students & Scholars
Students and scholars can drive in New York State (NYS) with an International Driver’s Permit and home country driver’s license as long as they are in valid non-immigrant status, and the driver’s license and International Driver’s Permit are both valid.
However, we recommend that students and scholars obtain NYS driver’s licenses because police officers often have difficulty determining if home country driver’s licenses are valid. In addition, car insurance rates are lower if one has a NYS driver’s license.
Requirement to Obtain a NYS Driver’s License
International students’ I-20 or DS-2019 and scholars’ DS-2019 must show that they will enroll or engage in a program that will last at least one year. They must also have at least six months remaining on their I-20/DS-2019.
esl course, speak & toefl test sign-up
Students Who Must Take ESL Classes
New students who must take ESL courses in addition to their academic courses will be able to register for those courses starting on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00). Keith Otto, Program Director of ESL Programs, will be available then to register students in their ESL classes and lift their ELI hold (formerly F checkstop).
Students Who Must Take SPEAK or TOEFL Tests
New students who must take SPEAK or TOEFL tests will be able to do so during International Student Orientation. The TOEFL test will be given at 1:30 on Monday, August 22. The SPEAK test will be given to all graduate students who have been awarded graduate, teaching or research assistantships and graduate students whose departments require it on Monday, August 22.
Sign-up for the TOEFL and SPEAK tests is required and will take place in Baldy Hall 320 on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00).
housing: off-campus
Opportunity for Students to Have Their Lease Checked By an Attorney
Students should have their lease reviewed by an attorney before they sign it. Students seeking such assistance should go to SBI Legal Assistance, Student Union 377 during the hours below:
Monday, August 22: 12:00-5:00
Tuesday, August 23: 12:00-5:00
Wednesday, August 24: 12:00-5:00
Thursday, August 25: 12:00-5:00
Friday, August 26: 12:00-5:00
immunization requirement
Students who Have Not Submitted their Immunization Form
New students cannot register for classes until they submit their immunization form to UB’s Student Health Services. In case some students did not do so yet, SHS medical staff will be present at Orientation Check-In on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00) and Monday, August 22 (9:00-2:30). They will be in Student Union 145 checking new students’ immunization records, lifting their registration hold (formerly I checkstop) and giving shots to any student who needs one.
on-campus employment
Campus Dining & Shops Job Fair
Campus Dining & Shops will offer a Job Fair on Wednesday, August 24 from 11:30-1:30 in the Social Hall (2nd floor), Student Union. At the fair, new students who are seeking on-campus food service jobs can meet CDS managers and apply for available positions.
shopping excursion
Shopping Trip for Necessities
New students will be able to shop for linens, toiletries, food, household items, clothing, etc. on Wednesday, August 24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. ISSS will provide a guide and a bus to a local WalMart.
social security cards
Social Security Card Application Requirements
To apply for Social Security Cards, F-1 students must have written job offers and be registered as full-time students. J-1 students and scholars do not need written job offers to apply.
Any student or scholar who meets these requirements and wants to apply for a Social Security Card must attend “Applying for a Social Security Card: Step 1” (Tuesday, August 23 or Wednesday, August 24 at 10:30 in Knox Hall 109) and “Applying for a Social Security Card: Step 2” (Friday, August 26 from 8:00-1:00 in Knox Hall 20). Students and scholars who attend both Step 1 and 2 sessions will be able to take the ISSS bus to the Social Security Office on August 26.
There will be a few make-up “Applying for a Social Security Card: Step 1” sessions during the first week of classes (schedule available in ISSS, Talbert 210) and a make-up “Applying for a Social Security Card: Step 2” session on Thursday, September 1 from 12:00-3:00 in Student Union 145A.
ub cards & single-use password letters
UB Cards for Students
UB Cards for students who already submitted their photos to UB will be distributed on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00) in Knox Hall. Students who did not submit their photos should go to the UB Card Office, which will be open on that day from 12:30-3:30.
Single-Use Password Letters for Students
Letters with single-use passwords that new students can use to activate their UB computer accounts will be distributed on Sunday, August 21 (12:00-5:00) and Monday, August 22 (9:00-2:30) in Knox Hall. After that, new students can obtain their single-use password letters in ISSS, Talbert Hall 210.
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