Next Steps

Admitted Exchange Students: Next Steps

Step 1: Get your Acceptance Package

After you get your admission letter, you will receive another email about your DS-2019.  The DS-2019 is normally shipped to your home country so we will ask you to create a shipping label.  This will allow us to mail it safely and for you to receive it quickly.  It can also be mailed to someone in the U.S. who can then carry it or send it to you.  This option requires your written approval.

Step 2: Apply for VISA 

As an exchange student, you will be issued a DS-2019 in your admission packet. Your DS-2019 contains your unique SEVIS number, which you will need to use to pay the SEVIS fee (also called the I-901 fee) online.  You will then apply for your J-1 visa. Please reference the US Department of State Exchange Visitor Visa page to see information on the visa application process specific to your home country.  After you pay the SEVP/SEVIS I-901 fee, make an appointment as soon as possible with the U.S. consulate in your country.  Make sure you take all the required documents.  When approved, you will receive a visa stamped in your passport so you can travel to the United States.

Useful Links:

Step 3: Claim Your UCCS Account

Once you are admitted to UCCS, you will receive an email from the UCCS IT Department for claiming your UCCS Account (Email and Student Account). Simply log in here and you will be able to start your UCCS Portal. Please be aware that claiming and using your UCCS Portal account (including email) is required for all students.

Step 4: Apply for Housing

On-Campus

On-campus housing is popular and space is limited. Please apply early. On-campus housing goes to degree-seeking students first so be aware that you may not get notification of space until near your departure time.

Off-Campus

Please note that these off-campus options are not affiliated with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. However, if you would like to live off-campus, please use these additional resources for off-campus housing:

· Some popular sources for housing:

* Please be careful about committing to a place without meeting the landlord and/or seeing the housing with your own eyes. Also be aware that your signature or electronic signature on any housing contract is a legally binding document. Do not sign a lease agreement if you do not understand and agree with it completely.
**Note: Off-campus options are not affiliated with University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Step 5: Plan Your Arrival at UCCS

Please plan to arrive in Colorado Springs before your orientation date. All new international students are required to attend the entire orientation program. A complete calendar for the academic year is located here and should clarify important dates that occur during your exchange semester(s). You will be advised about your required orientation dates in communications from Admissions.

Below is some useful information about arriving and travel to our campus. 

From Colorado Springs Airport:
Colorado Springs has a regional airport located approximately 24 kilometers away from the UCCS campus. If you will be flying to Colorado, we recommend that you fly directly into Colorado Springs. Many students make a connection in Denver.  There are always taxis at the Colorado Springs airport entrance.  Taxi service from the airport costs about $35 + tip (additional 10-20% for driver) to UCCS. Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are also options.

From Denver International Airport:
If you will be arriving in Denver and cannot take a flight to Colorado Springs, you may take a shuttle for the approximately 110-kilometer ride from Denver to Colorado Springs. You can get off at the Academy Hotel on North Academy. It is 8.7 kilometers away from UCCS campus. You will need to take a taxi to UCCS campus. This can be difficult if you have a lot of luggage, so we strongly encourage you to fly into Colorado Springs. The phone number for the Yellow Cab Company is (719) 777-7777. Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are also options.

Bus from the City of Denver: The bus ride from the city of Denver to Colorado Springs takes approximately two hours and the cost is about $17.00 one way. The schedule can be found here. You can also check out the BusTang. Please note that BusTang service is only operated from Monday to Friday. It is not recommended that you use this option for arrivals in the evening.

Step 6: Attend International Student Welcome and Mandatory Check-in 

This event is mandatory for all new international students. It takes place a few days before classes start. During orientation you will learn about the campus, Colorado, and your program, get your student ID, meet other new students, and prepare to start classes.  Information about this event can be found here. 

Step 7: Register for Classes 

As an exchange student, you will be selecting and enrolling for your own courses and planning your course schedule on your own. You are welcome to ask our office for assistance as needed. Be aware that some courses are restricted and not available to all students. Some courses have prerequisites courses that are required to be completed first. Please see the instructions for registering for classes here.

Step 8: Review Other Resources

UCCS has comprehensive resources available to assist and support all students in being successful in their academic programs on campus. See more at Student Support and Academic Resources. Also, see some helpful information for international students coming to study in the U.S. at the Education USA Pre-Departure page.

 

If you have further questions, please let us know how we can assist by emailing international@uccs.edu.  The International Affairs Office looks forward to welcoming you to Colorado Springs and our campus soon!