Student Information

Whether you are here as a visiting international student or scholar, International Student Handbook is designed to answer some of your questions and help you locate the resources and services you may need during your time at UW-Platteville.

Please take some time to read the International Student Handbook both before and after your arrival in Platteville. This guide should be used in combination with the undergraduate catalog and/or graduate catalog. Both of these publications contain important information and regulations of the university that you will need to know.

International Student Handbook

Download a copy of the International Student Handbook

Note: This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.

We would like to thank the University of Iowa, Central Missouri State University, and DePaul University for allowing us to base parts of this handbook on their own international student handbooks.

COVID TESTING/VACCINATION GUIDE

Please read carefully and complete the Testing/Vaccination Guide for UW-Platteville. This will provide you with information about actions to take with respect to testing and vaccination upon arrival to campus.

Find your on-campus housing

The Department of Residence Life will assist you in finding on-campus housing that helps you pursue every opportunity and shape your brightest future.

Find your off-campus housing

The UW-Platteville Off-Campus Marketplace assists students, faculty, and staff with their search for UW-Platteville off-campus housing.

Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar includes deadlines for adding, dropping, and withdrawing from classes, dates for semester breaks and finals week, and much more.

Tuition Billing and Payments

Learn how to wire money to pay your tuition.

Health Insurance

Browse resources about the health insurance policy provided by UW-Platteville to international students, and learn what to do if you get sick or injured.

Residence Life: On-Campus Housing

Learn about on-campus housing policies and residence halls.

Off-Campus Housing

If you are eligible to live off campus, the Rental Resources website and office is a good place to start looking for off-campus apartments, houses, subleases, or roommates.

Meal Plans

Learn about the various meal plans that are available to students at UW-Platteville.

Platteville: Your New Community

Find out what there is to do and explore in Platteville and the tri-state community!

What is an F-2 Visa?

An F-2 is a visa for a dependent of an F-1 student in the U.S. F-2 dependents may remain in the U.S. as long as the F-1 student maintains good status. Spouses and children are classified as dependents.

The F-1 student must apply on the F2’s behalf to obtain the I-20. Upon receipt of these documents, the ISSS office will issue an I-20 document for each dependent and a new I-20 document for the F-1 student. The student must sign the dependent(s) I-20 document(s). The dependent will use the I-20 document to apply for an F-2 visa.

Please note:

• F-2 dependents are not eligible for any paid employment in the U.S.
• Children may attend nursery, primary and secondary school while on a dependent I-20.
• Spouses and children are not authorized to study full time at the college level while on a dependent I-20. A change of Status to F-1 may be required.
• International health Insurance is strongly encouraged and may be added to the policy of the primary F-1 student.

Who is eligible to obtain an F-2 or Dependent I-20?

• Any child of an F-1 student under the age of 21
• A legal spouse

Please note: If the dependent is already in the U.S. on another visa, the dependent must complete a Change of Status (COS) in order to become an F-2. This memo does not discuss COS.

How Do I apply for a dependent I-20?

The F-1 student must follow the instructions below to apply to be issued a dependent I-20:

1. Please contact ISSS at isss@uwplatt.edu.

2. Documents that you must send to ISSS at isss@uwplatt.edu include:

• Copy of the dependent’s passport
• Financial Certification Form

What should the F-2 bring to the visa appointment?

• Passport
• Copy of student’s passport and visa
• Original Marriage Certificate (for a spouse) or Original Birth Certificate (for a child)
• Original dependent I-20
• Copy of student’s I-20
• Original financial documents (bank statement and affidavit, if applicable)
• Proof of ties to home country
• Other documents as required (See the appropriate consulate website for details)

F-2 Reporting Requirements

• Please email isss@uwplatt.edu to schedule a required "document check" appointment with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Office upon arrival to UW-Platteville. This document check appointment must occur within 30 days of the dependent's arrival at UW-Platteville. Please bring a copy of the dependent's passport, visa, and I-94 to the appointment. The ISSS Office is located in Royce Hall (first floor) on the UW-Platteville campus.

If you will be an F-1 or J-1 student for the first time, you need to pay the SEVIS fee. Please go to the following website to pay your SEVIS fee online: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee. You must pay your SEVIS fee before applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa.

You can enter the United States NO earlier than 30 days before the start date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Be aware that the start date of your health insurance through our university will be the same as your start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you will be arriving in the U.S. before your I-20 or DS-2019 start date, we strongly advise you to enroll in a short-term health insurance plan or make sure that your home country insurance will cover you until the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. 

You need to report to UW-Platteville NO later than the Program Start Date indicated on your Form I-20 or DS-2019. If special circumstances occur (i.e. delayed flight, illness), please contact isss@uwplatt.edu to make special arrangements.

All new international students are required to attend International Student Orientation. This orientation will help you to learn more about UW-Platteville and the services offered on the campus. Orientation also serves as a great way to explore Platteville, Wisconsin, and to meet new people, including both new and returning U.S. and international students.

F-1 students are allowed to stay in the U.S. up to 60 days after their program end date. J-1 students are allowed to stay in the U.S. up to 30 days after their program end date. Your program end date is the date on which you complete all the requirements for your degree and is shown on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Your residence hall does not provide bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows) or towels. If you do not bring bedding from home, there will be a scheduled shopping trip during orientation during which you may purchase bedding and a pillow.

You will not need to pay your bill until after you arrive on campus. Please see the Cashier's Office website for specific deadlines for paying your bill. Current billing details can also be viewed online through your PASS account. 

Please click here for information regarding how to pay your student bill.

Yes, however, you must make sure you have a valid visa if you leave the country and need to re-enter the U.S.

No. In order to maintain legal immigration status, your passport must be valid it all times. If you notice that your passport will expire within the next year, you can contact your country's embassy to inquire about renewing it.

Yes. Participation in the UW-Platteville group health insurance policy is required for all international students, except for students who have received a scholarship from the governments of Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. The insurance fee will be added to your student bill.

Unless it is an emergency, you should first visit the Student Health Services on campus. The Student Health Services is located in Royce Hall. Please visit their website to view the days and times they are open. If you do not visit the Student Health Services before going to another medical facility, you will be required to pay a co-payment fee. Please note that the Student Health Services personnel may refer you to a different medical facility, depending on your needs. If you need to see a doctor at a medical facility not on campus, you must bring your insurance card so that your paperwork can be processed and correct billing to the insurance company can take place. After doing so you may need to complete a claim form.

There are many different options for students when it comes to buying a cell phone. Usually, it is not possible or affordable to use your cell phone from your home country. Buying a cell phone needs careful planning. It is advisable to read about different cell phone plans in the U.S. Take your time to look on the internet for a provider and plan that suits you. Remember, not all providers have good reception (the ability to get and make clear phone calls, send texts, or use the internet) in Platteville and the surrounding area. Every provider will be able to give you this information. These cell phone companies generally have good reception in the Platteville area:

• Verizon Wireless - www.verizonwireless.com
• Sprint - www.sprint.com
• U.S. Cellular - https://www.uscellular.com

NOTE: AT&T and T-Mobile do NOT have good reception in Platteville.

If you choose not to bring a computer with you to the U.S. there are several computer labs on campus to which you will have access. If you wish to purchase a computer, you will be able to purchase one for a relatively inexpensive price once you arrive in the U.S. If you choose to bring your own computer, all residence halls have individual resident network hook-up (ResNet). View information regarding minimum requirements for your computer. Please note that UW-Platteville does not support pirated and illegal software and/or operating systems. It is illegal to use pirated and illegal software and/or operating systems in the U.S. The use of these items can lead to fines from government authorities.

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Students are allowed to stay in their rooms at no additional cost during November Break. Students are asked to sign up in advance online. Please check the Residence Life website or ask hall staff for more information.

WINTER BREAK

Residents of Bridgeway Commons, Cooper Living Learning Center, Rountree Commons, and Southwest Hall may stay in their halls during winter break.  All other residents living in the traditional halls on campus must vacate their space during this time. All halls are open for Winterim classes in January. If students are living in any of the traditional residence halls that do not stay open during winter Break, it is the student's responsibility to locate an off-campus place to stay during this time; however, students may leave their personal belongings in their room during this vacation period. Any student, for any reason, may return to their residence hall room during the Winterim period for no additional charge regardless of whether they are taking classes or not. Please check the Residence Life website or ask your hall staff for more information.

SPRING BREAK

All residence halls remain open for Spring Break. Similar to other breaks, students will be asked to sign up online to indicate they will be staying. There is no additional charge for staying during Spring Break. Please check the Residence Life website or ask your Resident Assistant (RA) for more information. 

SUMMER BREAK

Students wishing to staying in the residence halls during the summer are placed in Southwest Hall and are required to sign up and will be charged for their stay. Online sign up for summer housing will be placed on the Residence Life website in spring. There is no meal plan available during the summer months.  Kitchen facilities are located within the hall. Please check the Residence Life website or ask hall staff for more information.