Arrival at Monroe

Once you receive approval for a visa, we will outline the next steps for a successful transition to life at Monroe. This is an exciting time and we are here to help you every step of the way. Congratulations! 

Next Steps
Congratulations on receiving your student visa to attend Monroe University. Below is important information pertaining to your arrival on campus, as well as key dates for the upcoming academic semester. Please keep my contact information with your Monroe paperwork and travel documents. I am happy to answer any questions you may have or provide guidance. Dean of International Admissions, Gersom Lopez at glopez@monroecollege.edu.

• If you will be living with relatives, please provide them in advance with your arrival date, flight information, and expected arrival time.
• Keep your I-20 and passport with you at the airport. Do not place them in your checked luggage. You must present both documents to U.S. Customs and Immigration upon arrival.
• Should you need to reach the University urgently while traveling to the U.S., you may call our Public Safety team day or night at 914-740-6854. Keep this phone number with you.
• When should you arrive in the U.S.?
  • Immigration regulations allow first-time F-1 status students to enter the country up to 30 days before the official Fall semester start date.
  • STUDENTS NOT LIVING ON CAMPUS: The earliest day you may arrive in the U.S. is one month or later prior to the start of semester.  
  • HOUSING STUDENTS: The earliest day you may move into the dorms is usually two-three days prior to start of semester and there will be a designated “Move-In Day” provided by the Office of Residential Life.  Dormitory details will be provided to you two weeks prior to start of semester. Please note: Your dorm room is not reserved until your $150 housing application fee is received. If you have not yet paid the fee, please do so as soon as possible as our dorms are filling up quickly. Payment may be made online.

International students arriving to the New York City region by plane will arrive at either JFK or Newark airports. By car and depending on traffic, JFK is roughly 40 minutes to the New Rochelle campus and Newark is roughly one hour to the campus. Students may seek a variety of transportation options when they arrive at either airport to transport themselves to the campus.

Taxi Service: Both JFK and Newark terminals have an abundance of taxis to transport students to the campus. Reservations are not needed. When you leave the baggage claim area and customs, look for the taxi sign which will guide you to a line outside the terminal to place you into a taxi. Taxis accept both cash and major credit cards. Taxis from JFK to New Rochelle can cost between $50-$75. Taxis from Newark to New Rochelle can cost between $75-$100 depending on time in the car, mileage and traffic.

Uber and Lyft: If students have a working app for either company on their smart phone, Uber and Lyft vehicles are easily accessible at both JFK and Newark terminals. Uber and Lyft prices are comparable to taxi prices but sometimes might be lower or higher depending on time of day and supply of cars/drivers in the location.

Public Transportation: A variety of public transportation options connect JFK and Newark terminals to New York City’s train, bus and subway transportation network. Please use the links below for more information but also research online the best option for you. Please be advised navigating New York’s subway system with large suitcases is very challenging. Students with large suitcases should choose a car option as the best transportation to the campus. There is no direct bus transportation from JFK and Newark to New Rochelle.  
JFK      Newark

Have a safe journey to the United States and if you need any advice on travel plans please contact your admissions advisor in International Admissions or Ms. Joeane Laurent in International Student Services at jlaurent@monroecollege.edu.

Once you arrive in the United States, you need to submit the following to the SEVIS advisor on campus in International Admissions": 

• Completed International Student Check-In Form
• Signed F1 Student Agreement to Maintain Status 
• Copy of demographic page in passport (page with photo)
• Copy of F1 visa page in passport
• Copy of F1 entry stamp in passport
• Copy of Signed I20

Below are key dates for international students. Please be advised dates are subject to change so please check for email notifications. 

The earliest day of arrival to the U.S. on your F-1 visa
30 Days prior to the start date of the semester 

The last day to register at Monroe on your F-1 visa
Students cannot arrive to the college and register after two weeks from the start of semester

Check in with International Admissions at 145 Huguenot to register for courses
Within two days after your arrival to the United States

Move-in Day for housing students
On the designated Move In date communicated to you by Residential Life

Mandatory orientations for undergraduate and graduate students
You will receive emails to your Monroe email account on these 

First day of classes (undergraduate/ graduate/certificate)
Please view our academic calendar on the website 

Below are helpful phone numbers for your travel and arrival at Monroe.  
Monroe University Public Safety (available 24/7): 914-740-6854
Residence Life (8:30 am – 7:30 pm Eastern): 914-740-6459
International Admissions (8:30 am – 7:30 pm Eastern): 914-740-6406

For your convenience, we are glad to share the below phone numbers for local travel providers. Please note, however, that they are not affiliated with the University and we make no specific endorsement of their services.
Westchester Express Airport Shuttle: 718-276-6020
Radisson Hotel (near the New Rochelle campus) 914-576-3700  
Residence Inn (near the New Rochelle campus) 914-636-7888

Our Admissions Committee may have initially considered your application based on a review of unofficial transcripts. It is your responsibility to submit official and final transcripts to the University prior to registering for classes.

Please call us immediately if you are not clear whether the document(s) you submitted meet the requirement.

Please note: You may not be able to register for classes until you have submitted your official, final transcripts. As well, transfer credits cannot be applied toward degree completion without an official, final transcript from your prior institution(s).

We strongly recommend that you do not travel with large amounts of cash. For your convenience, tuition and fees for the first semester are required to be paid prior to registration via these payment methods. International students can register for a monthly payment plan after the first semester is completed.

• Credit Card: You may submit tuition and fee payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover via our Online Payments portal.
• Online Wire Transfer: We have partnered with a service called Flywire for students needing to make international wire transfer. Access and instructions are available here.
• Bank Draft or International Money Order: Please make payable to “Monroe University”. Additional information about payment options is available on our website here: Making Payments.

NOTE: If you are awaiting disbursement of a loan or government award, you may submit an official loan approval notice or award notification to the Bursar.

As required by New York State law, all students born after January 1, 1957 must provide the University with proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Students are also required to maintain a meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver stating (1) that they will not be immunized against meningitis, and (2) that they understand the risks of not receiving the vaccine. Students who are not compliant with this law after 30 days will not be able to attend class until they are compliant.

Proof of immunity is defined as two doses of measles vaccine, one dose of rubella, and one dose of mumps vaccine. The first dose must be no sooner than four days prior to the student’s first birthday; the second dose must have been taken at least 28 days after the first dose.  

Acceptable forms of proof of immunity include:  

• Childhood immunization records showing the exact dates of your vaccines, or
• Positive blood test for immunity (titers)
• This form, which must be completed by your health care provider with the date and signature (or similarly stamped).

Please contact the Office of Student Health & Wellness at should you need assistance getting the required vaccinations. Our team can help direct you to local healthcare providers where they can be obtained. Some may be available at no charge through the local health department or through an insurance carrier.

Health insurance for J1 students is required prior to arriving in the U.S. and must be translated into English. It must include the minimum coverage below according to the US government regulations:
 
Minimum coverage must meet or exceed the following: