The Grainger College of Engineering
International Programs in Engineering

Prior to Arrival

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Illinois as an exchange student. We are happy to have you on campus! Below is information important for you to know as you prepare to join us on campus next semester. You will also receive a Welcome Packet of information to refer back to

Prior to Arrival

Each incoming exchange applicant will need to verify their English language proficiency, per U.S. Department of State requirements, through one of the following accepted assessment or documentation methods (more information can be found in the online application upon formal nomination):

In order for Illinois to issue a DS-2019 visa authorization form, the U.S. government requires every applicant to submit evidence of financial support. Your source(s) of funding may come from one or more of the following:

  • Student is a native English speaker or their first language is English.
  • Student has successfully participated in an Illinois J-program in the past.
  • Degree from or current enrollment in institution where English is language of instruction.
  • Documentation from a representative from an academic institution or English language school confirming sufficient proficiency in English.
  • Documentation of a personal interview with home institution faculty members whose native language is English or who teaches in the English Department.
  • Recognized English language test:
    • TOEFL or IELTS (note that some colleges at Illinois may require higher scores)*
    • Minimum TOEFL IBT score: 100
    • Minimum IELTS score: 6.5 total

  1. Notice of Admission (“NOA”)
    • The NOA is required for your visa application and many on-campus processes when you first arrive. Please check that your date of birth is correct. Please note that this is a double-sided document. When available, your NOA  will be uploaded to the “documents” section of your “My Study Abroad” account.
    • Your University ID Number (UIN) and Activation Code are printed on the back of your Notice of Admission. Your UIN and Activation Code are needed to claim your University of Illinois NetID and email. This is explained further under section 2. Claim Your NetID and Email Address below.
    • You do NOT need to accept or decline this offer. Please do NOT go to the Office of Admissions or the iStart websites to accept or decline your offer.
    • The Term/Year indicates the first semester that you will be at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please refer to your Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status or DS-2019 (Box #3) to verify that you have been admitted for the correct number of semesters.
  1. Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (also known as your DS-2019)
    • This is a VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT required for your visa application and to re-enter the United States after your arrival into the country.  Be sure to print the electronic DS-2019 and take it to your visa appointment.  This is your official DS-2019.  It is no longer required for us to mail an original to you or your home university.
    • Your DS-2019 will expire on a set date -- please see the DS-2019 for the “From” and “To” dates.
  1. When available, the DS-2019 will be uploaded to the “documents” section of your “My Study Abroad” account. Very Important Immigration Information for ALL International Students
    • Please read through this single-page document. Please note that all applicants must pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) before they will be allowed to apply for a J-1 visa. Students are responsible for the SEVIS fee. The fee is NOT covered by the University of Illinois. For more information, please visit: isss.illinois.edu/students/incoming/pre_arrival/immigration.html
    • For more information on mandatory check-in with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), please see: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/incoming/checkin/index.html

For information about the Registration Process, please review: http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/registration-process. To begin looking at the course selection and to register, you will need your NetID and AD password. You will register for your courses online through Student Self Service. The tentative course list you submitted as part of your application does not register you for courses. All students assigned to the Grainger College of Engineering are required to register for ENG 398 - Grainger Engineering Design Your Experience.   Your exchange coordinator and/or departmental academic advisor are happy to assist you with the course registration process.

You are responsible for arranging your own housing while you are at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. You may choose to live in:

  • University Residence Halls through University Housing;
  • Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) through University Housing are great ways to become involved on campus and to develop friendships with local students;
  • Off-Campus Community Living (OCCL) is available to assist students who may choose to live in privately owned apartments and homes throughout the campus community.
  • Apartments through University Housing
  • Private-Certified Housing options that are affiliated, but not owned by the University of Illinois. Housing charges are billed directly by the Private-Certified Housing property. You will need to make payments directly to the housing unit, not through your University of Illinois Student Account.
    • University Apartments: Orchard Downs and Ashton Woods are located south of the campus. Buses into campus are available and typically serve each apartment complex every 30 minutes. Bus service to Orchard Downs terminates after 2 a.m. on weeknights. Bus service to Ashton Woods terminates after 11 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and after 6 p.m. on Sundays.
  • For more information about housing at Illinois, please use the following resources:
  • A few notes about the University Residence Halls through University Housing:
    • The fee for University Housing is charged to your student account at the beginning of each semester of your exchange program.  Payments for University Housing are made through your student account, and payment in full is due by the 28th day of the month following the start of the semester. (Fall payment due September 28th, Spring payment due February 28th).
    • Undergraduate Residence Halls, except the Global Crossroads LLC, are closed during semester breaks. Illinois Street Residence and Pennsylvania Avenue Area Residence offer housing during the semester break at an additional cost.
    • Sherman and Daniels Halls are open during the semester break at no additional charge.
    • Even if you apply to Sherman or Daniels (Graduate Residence Halls), you may still be assigned to an Undergraduate Residence Hall if Sherman/Daniels are full.

IMPORTANT: If you withdraw or cancel your contract with University Housing after submitting your housing application, you will still be responsible for all related housing fees. The University Housing contract states that you agree to accept any space that is assigned to you. For example, you apply to Sherman Hall, but you are assigned to Busey-Evans Hall. If you decide to decline the assignment, you will still be charged 75% of your housing contract rate.

Off-Campus Accommodation:

  • If you are interested in living independently, you may wish to consider subletting from one of our outbound study abroad students. Go to illinois.edu/blog/view/208 for more information (NOTE: You must activate your NetID and Active Directory (AD) password before you can use this website).
  • Items included with furnished apartments will vary, but they typically do not include kitchen utensils or pots and pans, towels, linens, window curtains, shower curtains, etc. Be prepared to purchase these items upon arrival.
  • Before signing a lease, please consult with the Tenant Union: http://www.cutenantunion.org/

Academic Calendars are available on the Office of the Registrar's website. Please note that you are required to attend Incoming Exchange orientations prior to the official start of the semester. 

Your NetID will be your most important electronic ID at the University of Illinois and you will use it for just about everything. The most immediate uses will be for making your University Housing reservation and for course registration (subject to College holds and restrictions). Your NetID is a name assigned to you that is unique across all University of Illinois campuses. It serves as your login to the University’s computing and networking services and also determines your University email address, which will be your NetID@illinois.edu.

All incoming exchange students are automatically enrolled in the Illinois Student Health Insurance and it will be billed to your student account.

You may be able to opt out of the Illinois Student Health Insurance. You will have to show proof of equal or better health insurance coverage. For more information, visit the Student Insurance Office. 

You must complete the Medical and Immunization History Form prior to your arrival on campus. You can download the form and read instructions for completing the form at the following website:

https://mckinley.illinois.edu/immunization-information

Please read the instructions before completing the Medical and Immunization History Form. You will need your home doctor to sign the Medical and Immunization History Form, so you will need to complete it before you leave your home country. If possible, you should receive all immunizations prior to your arrival to campus. If you are unable to receive all the required immunizations prior to your arrival to campus, you may receive them at McKinley Health Center but make sure your Illinois insurance has started before you receive the immunizations.  You need to submit the completed form to the McKinley Health Center prior to or upon arrival to campus.  If you have not submitted a completed Immunization and Medical History Form by the 10th day of class, McKinley Health Center will place a hold on your student account resulting in your inability to make course schedule changes until the form is turned in.

There will be a virtual Pre-Arrival Orientation that you are required to attend.  More information will be included in your Welcome Packet. Covered topics will include: University Housing, International Student and Scholar Services, Student Health Insurance, and College Information Sessions.

There is also a mandatory on-campus exchange student orientation.  This orientation is different from the International Student and Scholar Services orientations and all exchange students are required to attend to be in compliance with your J-1 visa status.  The mandatory on-campus Orientation will be held in person the week prior to classes starting.  This is the only in-person orientation that you are required to attend.