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Where is UCAELI?

UCAELI is located at the University of Connecticut's main campus in Storrs. Storrs is located in rural northeastern Connecticut (CT) USA. 
 Storrs is conveniently located with access to several major cities.

Time to Reach Storrs:
• New York City - 2 hours 45 minutes
• Boston – 1 hour 35 minutes
• Hartford, CT – 40 minutes
• New Haven, CT – 1 hour 15 minutes
• Stamford, CT – 2 hours
• Danbury, CT – 1 hour 40 minutes

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What is the weather like at UCAELI?

UCAELI is located in Connecticut, which is in the northeast area of the United States. This area is often referred to as New England. We have four seasons: summer, winter, spring, and autumn. The summer season is generally June – August and is hot. Winter is December – February and is very cold and snowy. Spring is March – April and is warm and sometimes rainy. Autumn (also known as fall) is generally cool. Remember to bring clothing that is appropriate for the seasons that you will be here.

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What are the driving directions to UCAELI?

For detailed driving directions to UCAELI, please visit the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus website: http://uconn.edu/storrs-campus.php

Our office is located in McMahon Hall (2011 Hillside Road). You can see a map of campus to find our building at maps.uconn.edu (type MRH into the search area).

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Is there public transportation at UCAELI?

On-campus Shuttles

There are free campus shuttles for UCONN/UCAELI students. Shuttles travel around the campus bringing students from parking lots, off campus apartments and the university's Depot Campus to campus to the center of campus. For the schedules and routes visit: UConn Transportation Services and click on Bus Schedules.

Storrs-Willimantic bus

The WRTD bus travels from Storrs to Willimantic. Willimantic is the next city closest to Storrs. Willimantic offers the East Brook Mall and movie theater, several supermarkets for food shopping and access to many apartment complexes. The WRTD bus is FREE for all UCONN/UCAELI students with a valid student I.D. For more information or for a schedule/map visit: http://www.wrtd.net/storrs-willimantic_bus_schedules.html#FSMF


Our building is marked RR on the map, located in square D6. South Parking Garage is located behind the UCONN Co-op, marked COOP on the map, located in square D-7

Peter Pan Bus Lines and MegaBus Lines

There are buses that arrive daily from Hartford, New York City and Boston.

• Hartford – Storrs/Storrs – Hartford: two departures daily
• New York - Storrs/Storrs – New York: two departures daily
• Boston – Storrs/Storrs – Boston: four departures daily

Tickets may be purchased online or at the UCONN Co-op bookstore, which is where the buses pick up. For more destinations, times, and fare information, please visit www.peterpanbus.com or http://us.megabus.com

* Please Note: Even though buses are arriving everyday from Hartford the earliest arrival time is 1:10 pm. This means that it will be impossible to use the Peter Pan bus as a commuter bus to campus because you will arrive too late to attend morning classes. For more information about public transit in Connecticut please visit http://www.cttransit.com/

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How do I get to UCAELI from the airport?

From Bradley Airport (BDL)


The easiest way to arrive at UCAELI is to fly into Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford/Springfield. From Bradley UCAELI can arrange an airport pick up service from Avalon Limo to bring you to the University of Connecticut.

To arrange for airport pickup please contact Lena Dillman at lena.dillman@uconn.edu.

Airport pickup costs approximately $120 and students should pay UCAELI upon arrival.
 If this service is needed, please request at least one week in advance.

From Kennedy Airport (JFK)

Option 1 From Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York take the AIR TRAIN to Jamaica Station (the last stop). At Jamaica Station transfer to the "E" Line (Blue Line). Take the "E" Line all the way to Manhattan and exit at "42 Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal" Take the Peter Pan bus from New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Storrs, University of Connecticut. The ticket is $29.00.

For a map of the NYC subway system please visit:http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Option 2 Take a Taxi from JFK Airport to New York Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd St.
Take the Peter Pan bus from New York Port Authority Bus Terminal to Storrs, University of Connecticut. The ticket is $29.00.

From Logan Airport (BOS)


From Logan Airport (BOS) in Boston take the Peter Pan bus to Storrs, University of Connecticut. Pick up the bus outside of Terminals A, B, C, E. The ticket costs $38.50 and you should pay the driver in exact change. Tell the driver you need to go to Storrs, UCONN.

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Can I park my car at UCONN?

UCAELI students living off campus will be able to park their cars on campus. You will need to bring the following documents to the Parking Services office:

• a letter from the UCAELI office to prove that you are enrolled in classes
• UCONN student ID
• US or International Driver's License
• Vehicle Registration

The fee for parking at UCONN is approximately $40/semester. The Parking Services office is located in the Central Stores Warehouse (WARE) in square C-13 on the campus map. 


For more information or for a parking map please visit Parking Services: http://www.park.uconn.edu

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What are my housing options at UCONN?

Can I live on campus?

Yes! Many UCAELI students live on campus. To live on campus, accepted students must fill out a housing application. In order to secure housing, students must fill out the housing form as soon as possible after being accepted and by the housing deadline. Accepted students will be notified of the housing application deadline. Students are not able to select which dormitory they will be placed in. Students may be placed in a single, double or triple room. Some dormitories have shared kitchens. Students who live in dormitories without kitchens are required to purchase a full meal plan. Please see UCAELI Costs for updated housing and meal fees.

Click here for a map of Residence Halls on campus

Can I live off campus?

For information on apartments and rentals off campus please visit UCONN's Off Campus Housing site http://offcampushousing.uconn.edu/

Another off-campus option is homestay. UCAELI offers a limited number of homestay placements each semester. In a homestay, students live with a local family. Please be aware that Storrs is a rural area. There is limited off-campus housing that is in walking distance or on the bus line. Often students will need a car to live off-campus.

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Do I need to have medical insurance at UCAELI?

All full-time students at UCAELI are required to purchase health insurance from the University of Connecticut. UCONN provides insurance from AETNA Student Health and the fee for medical insurance is $212 per month ($960 per semester). For more information about student medical insurance at the University of Connecticut please visit AETNA Student Health.

One of the benefits of AETNA Student Health plan is that all medical procedures, related to an accident or illness, performed at the UCONN Infirmary (Student Health Services) will be covered 100% under this insurance plan. Laboratory tests, x-rays and prescription medications are some of the benefits available under the plan. Always use the UCONN infirmary first if possible (http://www.shs.uconn.edu/). If you visit a doctor outside of UCONN, you may be asked for additional information and it is very important that you respond in a timely manner (quickly) for your claim to be processed. For a list of mandatory immunization requirements please visit the Student Health Services' immunizations page: 
http://www.shs.uconn.edu/immunization_requirements.html


The link below provides a translation tool for all vaccines:
www.immunize.org

***Please note: all UCAELI students are required to submit the Health History Form prior to the start of their program.

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How do I apply for an F-1 (student) visa?

You first need to apply to UCAELI and obtain acceptance, an Acceptance Letter and a SEVIS I-20 form.

In order to get an F-1 student visa you must make an appointment at the US Embassy or consulate in you home country. Please visit http://usembassy.state.gov for more information or to schedule an appointment with the US Embassy or consulate in your home country. 


Visa Appointment

When you go to make an appointment for a student visa you will need your SEVIS ID Number (N000XXXXXXX) and UCAELI's SEVIS School Code BOS214F10146005 . You can find your SEVIS ID number in the upper right-hand corner of your I-20 form and UCAELI's SEVIS School Code in section 2 on your I-20.

I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt


Please note that all students applying for an F-1 student visa will need to fill out Form I-901 and pay a SEVIS processing fee in the amount of US$200. You need to pay this fee before you go for your visa interview. You will need to show receipt of payment when you apply for your student visa. You can pay this fee three ways.

• 1. The fee can be paid by mail using Form I-901 together with a check or money order drawn on a US bank and payable in U.S. dollars.
• 2. The fee can be paid electronically by completing Form I-901 through the Internet and using a credit card. Please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.
• 3. Pay with cash at a Western Union and bring the Western Union receipt to the embassy with you. Please visit this website for Western Union Quick Pay instructions and for more information about Western Union: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm

For more information on the SEVIS fee visit http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/

SEVIS system within about three business days from when your payment is received. You can now check on whether this record has been generated yet through the http://www.fmjfee.com site. Bring your receipt for payment of the fee at the time that you apply for a visa.

Visa Interview

When you go for your visa interview you will need to bring the following documents with you:
• 1. UCAELI Acceptance Letter
• 2. SEVIS I-20 form from UCAELI
• 3. I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt
• 4. Valid Passport
• 5. Financial Certification (bank statement or a bank letter)

You may have to answer questions about your previous academic record, about why you want to study English and about who will be supporting you financially. You should prepare yourself in advance to answer all of these questions. You may be asked to show proof of program fee payment before you are granted your visa. If this happens please contact our office immediately and we will be happy to accept payment by Visa or MasterCard online or over the phone. We can send you a letter to confirm that we received your payment along with an invoice that says "PAID".

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What are the regulations for students with an F-1 (student) visa?

It is very important that while studying at UCAELI you "maintain status." 
 As a student with an F-1 visa you must follow certain rules while in the United States or else you will be considered out-of-status.
• You must have a valid passport when you enter the US.
• You must attend the school you are authorized to attend (on your I-20 and visa page in your passport) and comply with the attendance requirements of that school.
• Maintain a full course of study (take the full-time course load of UCAELI classes for the program you are attending)
• Leave the U.S. by the program end-date on your I-20 or apply for a program extension before your program end-date.
• While classes are in session you may only work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. During winter and summer breaks you may work up to 40 hours per week. – You may NOT work off-campus unless you apply for and are approved for employment authorization.
• You must report your change of address to UCAELI within 10 days of moving. This includes on-campus moves.

Out-of-Status

• A. you may be barred from reentering the U.S.
• B. you may be deported from the U.S.
• C. you may not work on-campus
• D. you cannot receive a letter from UCAELI verifying you are in full-time status.
• E. you may not be able to transfer to another university.
• F. you may have trouble renewing your F-1 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate

Travel

If you travel outside the U.S, you must have page 3 of your I-20 form signed by a SEVIS DSO. At UCAELI there are two DSOs, Kristi Newgarden and Neena Kapoor. When you want to leave the country you should make an appointment to see either Kristi or Neena, bring your I-20 form and your passport and tell us where you are going and for how long.

Visa Page

If your visa expires while you are studying in the U.S. you do not need to leave the country. If your I-20 form is valid and you are maintaining a full course of study you are still in-status. If your visa has expired and you leave the U.S. you will be required to obtain a new F-1 visa before you can return to the US.

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I have a tourist visa. Can I study at UCAELI?

No. U.S. immigration regulations state that to be eligible to study, students must obtain an F-1 student visa.

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My husband/wife/child is here as my F-2 dependent. Can he/she study full-time? Can he/she study part-time?

Full-Time Policy

An F-2 dependent may not engage in full-time study according to government regulations. The reason for this is that there is a need to monitor foreign students being educated and trained in the U.S. The government believes that the value of SEVIS would be undermined if there is no distinction between an F-1 student and F-2 dependent when it comes to receiving an education. The only exception to this is in the case of a child who has F-2 status and studies full-time in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through 12th grade).

Part-Time Policy

An F-2 spouse or child may be involved in part time study, provided that this study is vocational or recreational in nature. Vocational or recreational means study that is incidental to your status and is occasional or casual for the purpose of pursuing a hobby or interest. Any full time study, even if recreational in nature, is prohibited and is a violation of your status. Even part time study that counts towards a degree requirement, leads to a specific educational or professional objective or certificate, or satisfies a prerequisite would not be incidental to your status and is considered a status violation.

Changing Status

If an F-2 visa holder wishes to study full-time, they must either apply to change status to F-1 while in the U.S. or they must travel out of the country to apply for a new F-1 visa. We recommend scheduling an appointment with Neena Kapoor to discuss these options.

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