Going to University, especially in the US, is very exciting and also intimidating. We know you have plenty of questions and we are here to help guide you. Please take your time to review the information on this page and let us know what questions arise by emailing us at [email protected] 

On this page:

• Visa Advice
• Booking Flights
• Airport Transportation Suggestions
• Travel Advice
• Housing
• Course Registration
• Covid Concerns & Vaccinations
• Traveling with Cash
• Connecting with Students
• Meal Plans
• Cell Phones
• Health Insurance
• Tuition

When to apply:
You will be able to apply for your visa as soon as you have received your I-20, paid the required SEVIS fee at www.fmjfee.com, AND the US Embassy in your country has opened for non-immigrant visa appointments.  Please check the US Embassy website in your country for details: www.state.gov

Issues applying on time:
Please email Astin Martin [email protected] for details on how to defer or apply for a future semester at GVSU.

Recommendations for the interview:
Be prepared to show that you are academically and financially a strong candidate to enter the US. You must be able to convince the Visa Officer that your specific degree at GVSU will make a difference in your future in your home country. We believe that finances will be heavily scrutinized during this time.

Detailed process and advice can be found on the Visa Advice powerpoint on the Get Ready page. 

We highly recommend new students fly into Grand Rapids airport: Gerald R. Ford International, code GRR. Flying into a larger airport such as Chicago or Detroit and then taking public transportation is not recommended.

The Grand Rapids airport is small with a helpful information desk, only 5 baggage carousels, and taxi services on-site. 

Suggested Airport Transportation Options 
Students living on or off-campus should organize their own transportation using:

• a local taxi company such as Metro Cab (616) 827-6500 or Yellow Cab (616) 459-4646  (cost varies, review cash and card options)
• a transport app such as Uber or Lyft (cost varies - need to download in advance, review cash and card options)
• A trusted local resource V's Anytime chauffeur service LLC, 616-406-9664

Buses and trains are not an option from the Grand Rapids airport. Please be prepared by booking your transportation to your accommodation in advance or waiting for a taxi upon arrival.

Documents:
Keep all important documents with you at all times. This includes passport, I-20, flight itinerary, prescriptions, insurance cards, etc. Do not put these items in your checked bags. They should be with you. 

Prescriptions:
If you are bringing any prescription drugs to the United States, you must bring an English translation of the prescription with them. Keep these with you in your carry on (not in your checked bag). In case prescriptions are needed while you are here your insurance carrier LewerMark will be able to assist with questions about refills.

Communication:
Let your family know it might take up to 24 hours after your planned arrival time to get in touch with them. Reassure yourself and your family that even if it takes longer than expected, you will be in touch as soon as you can!

Traveling with Cash
 

GVSU On-Campus Housing
We encourage you, as an international student, to live on-campus. Visit the Grand Valley Housing website to apply. When applying, use the transfer application to gain access to apartment style options which include kitchens. Students who apply as freshman are required to live in dorm-style units. Laker Village is strongly recommended since most international students live in this community, it is at the midway price point, and it is home to the International House. Students will need to provide a home address if possible. If the application will not accept your address, please use the Padnos International Center address: Padnos International Center, 130 LOH Allendale, MI 49401.

Off-Campus Housing
If on-campus housing does not fit your needs, off campus housing is also available. In addition to the linked page, the ISS Team has put together this list of off-campus apartments near our Allendale, Health, and Grand Rapids/Pew Campuses:

Off-Campus Apartments

Please note, living off-campus requires students to be entirely responsible for their housing situation--we have limited ability to support students who choose off-campus housing.

Undergraduate students will be contacted by their academic advisor in May or June (for FALL) or November (for WINTER) to register for classes. Be sure you respond to emails in a timely manner, as it is important to have a set class schedule before arriving to Grand Valley.

Graduate students should contact their own academic advisor in May or June (for FALL) or November (for WINTER). All students should have their classes before international student orientation. There will be a chance during orientation to make last minute changes, but you should have a solid schedule by the time you arrive to Grand Valley.

GVSU no longer requires students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated. Standard vaccinations are still recommended (Tuberculosis, Polio, Tetanus, MMR, Varicella, etc). Recommended vaccines are available at the GVSU Family Health Center.   

Due to federal regulations at health care organizations, students in health and health-related programs who have placements will still be required to receive the COVID vaccine or follow the exception process outlined on the health compliance website.    

US Customs and Immigration requires anyone entering the USA with $10,000 USD cash or more to declare this money with Form FinCEN 105 when entering the country. If you intend to pay your tuition with cash, please instead consider sending the money via Convera instead or bringing a demand draft. These are much safer methods. If you do not declare the money you are bringing with you, you may be fined and all the money may be seized (taken away permanently). 

To connect with other international students at Grand Valley through ISS, we recommend you follow GViStudents on Instagram. Visit Laker Link to find student organizations you may be interested in joining.

By purchasing a meal plan through the university, you are allowed a certain number of meals per week to be used at any on-campus dining locations. Meal plans may be purchased through the Laker Food Co. website. More information can also be found in the Understanding GVSU Meal Plans document.

We recommend you purchase a pay-as-you-go plan upon arrival. After you have received your Social Security number, you will be able to purchase a service contract for your cell phone. Cell phone carriers will be on campus during the required International Student Orientation.

All international students are required to purchase our mandatory health insurance through LewerMark. This page on our website has more information about it.

New International Students are required to pay the full balance of their Student Account by the payment deadline at 5:00pm EST; payment plans are possible the first semester. Log into MyBanner to view your student account. Please note that accounts are not billed tuition until after students have registered for courses.

Details on payment methods are on the Tuition page.