Applying as an International Exchange Student
If you are planning to apply as an, “Exchange Student,” please check with your International Student office to insure that your University has a formal partnership with the University of Hartford. If your University does have a formal agreement with the University of Hartford you must then be nominated by your University.
You may study as an exchange student for either one or two semesters. Your study will not lead to a degree. You will receive an academic transcript (record) that lists the subjects you’ve completed and the grade you’ve earned. An official transcript will be sent to your University upon completion of your study at Hartford.
Advising International Exchange Students
Application & Forms
1) Exchange Student Application
Please complete all sections of this application. Please take care to print or type your name, address and contact information clearly (legibly). Please click here to download the Application. As an Exchange student you are not required to pay the Application fee.
2) Academic Records
Please supply proof that you are enrolled as a full-time student at your university. This proof must be in the form of a current academic transcript or a letter that verifies your status as a full-time student.
3) English Proficiency <<back to top
As an Exchange student you will be required to prove your proficiency in English. Acceptable forms of English Proficiency include the following:
1) A Letter from University Administrator verifying that the medium of instruction at home University is English
2) TOEFL – IBT 79 (no subscore below 15), CBT 213
3) IELTS – 6.5
4) GCSE/GCE English (Syllabus A) with grade of C or higher
5) International Baccalaureate – A1 or A2 with grade of 3 or higher
6) AP English with grade of 3 or higher
7) SAT with Critical Reading & Critical Writing – Scores 500+
8) A passing level grade in an advanced University-level course in the English language.
4) Proof of Financial Support / Visa Procedures <<back to top
Please complete the Guarantor’s Statement of Financial Support. Please insure that all three sections are filled out completely; it must be signed and sealed by the financial institution which verifies your funds. Other acceptable forms of financial support include
1) Statement from parents/sponsor’s bank indicating adequate financial support to cover the expenses indicted under “Fees.”
2) A Letter on Bank Letterhead indicating a balance equal to or greater than the dollar figure quoted under “Living expenses.” This letter should identify the account as that of your sponsors (Family/Relatives).
5) Fine Arts - Art Portfolio Requirements
If you are applying to study the Fine Arts(Painting, Sculpture
Visual Communication Design, Ceramics, Illustration) you will be required to
prove your talent by sending samples of your Art work. Your Art Portfolio
should have a minimum of 15 pieces of your Art. To learn more about Portfolio
requirements please visit our Art Porfolio page.
6) Performing Arts - Music, Theatre, & Dance / Audition Requirements
If you are applying to The Hartt School, you are required to complete both the International Student Application and the Hartt Supplemental Application. In addition, you must audition and/or interview. You can be considered for admission via a recorded audition. Video recordings (a DVD is preferred) are required for Music Theater, Voice, and Dance applicants. Please visit The Hartt School Audition page for audition information and The Hartt School Admissions page for application information, including the Hartt Supplemental Undergraduate Application
Deadlines <<back to top
Application Deadlines – Please insure that your application and all supporting documents are received by the dates indicated below:
Sept/Fall Semester: April 1st
January / Spring Semester: November. 1st
Admission Enrollment Forms Deadlines – With your welcome letter you will also receive a booklet entitled, “Admission Enrollment Forms.” Please complete all forms and return with your housing deposit of $150.00. You are not required to pay the Admission Deposit or the Orientation fee. Please take care to use your University of Hartford Identification number in all places requesting either a Social Security number or an Identification number.
Sept/Fall Semester: May 1st
January / Spring Semester: December. 1st
Health Forms <<back to top
You will be required to complete and submit a University of Hartford Health form as part of your application. Please go here http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/health/forms.html to download these forms. You will not be permitted to register for your subjects until these forms are received in the University’s Health Services office. Please use your University assigned Identification number on all of these forms.
Payment of Fees <<back to top
As an Exchange student you will pay tuition to your home school, not to the University of Hartford. You are responsible, however, for paying the costs associated with housing, food, books, and certain university fees (sports center fee and health/counseling fee).
When Payment is due / Schedule of Payment
Once your Admission Enrollment Forms are received your account will be updated and a bill/invoice will be generated for the upcoming term. Billing is done by semester. If you plan to enroll for the September/Fall Term your bill will be created and mailed during the first week of July. If you are planning to begin your studies in the January/Spring Term your bill will be created in during the first week of December. This bill will be mailed to the address you will provide on your application.
Payment can be made prior to your arrival or prior to the beginning of classes. To learn more about how to make payment please go to: http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/bursar/Payment_Information.htm.
Please take care to always list your student identification number on any bank draft or any form of correspondence to the University.
Accident and Medical Insurance Requirement <<back to top
Accident and medical insurance coverage is one of the many necessities of an exchange student’s stay in the United States. Unlike the practice in many countries, in the U.S.A., medical costs usually are not paid for by the government, but are the responsibility of the person receiving treatment. The high cost of medical service in the United States necessitates the purchase of accident and sickness insurance by students as a means of preventing a serious financial crisis in the event of medical problems.
All exchange students in possession of an F-1 are required to have accident and sickness insurance.
The University requires all full-time F-1 undergraduate and graduate exchange students to participate in the University sponsored accident and sickness insurance plan. You will be automatically enrolled in the University insurance plan at the time of your course registration. The cost of this coverage will be charged to your University billing account. The University estimates the cost of accident and sickness coverage to be approximately $450 per year for undergraduate student and graduate students.
The University has in place a "waiver" process for those exchange students who may have accident and sickness insurance from a source other than the University. Students may request a waiver from the University of Hartford insurance plan by documenting that they are insured through another source and that their accident and sickness coverage is equal to or greater than that provided by the University equal to or greater than the requirements of the U.S. government.
To request a waiver, students must complete and submit an "insurance waiver request form" to the International Center. The form must be submitted within the first two weeks of class and must be accompanied with documentation, in English, that clearly states that you are insured, the duration of the insurance coverage, and the type and amount of your coverage. In general, your insurance should cover visits to a doctor, prescriptions, diagnostic care, hospitalization if required, and coverage for accidents. If you are covered by an insurance policy in your home country, check to see whether or not you are covered by that policy in the U.S.A. If you do have a policy that covers you while a student in the U.S., be sure to carry proof of that coverage with you. You will need an insurance card or other proof of coverage if you wish to obtain medical care in the Hartford area.
Your I-20 AB Immigration Form <<back to top
The tuition expense listed under item # 7 on your I-20 form is estimated and based on the minimum full-time cost for tuition and fees for the Fall and Spring semesters (approximately 9 months). Your tuition expenses may be dependent upon your program of study and the number of credits you take per semester above the minimum requirement. Summer semester attendance is optional and any additional tuition charges will be assessed upon registration for summer courses.
The cost for living expenses listed under item # 7 is also an estimated "average" amount that you may expect to pay for such items as room and board and other personal expenses. It is based on typical University charges for "on-campus" housing (double occupancy) and our Meal Plan "B." This figure is estimated for a nine-month period and depending upon your personal needs and summer semester plans, may be more or less than the figure stated on your I-20 form. This estimated figure does not include the purchase of an automobile and its associated expenses (if you desire your own personal transportation) or the cost of air flight between your country and the United States.
If you will only attend your exchange program for one semester, the tuition and living expenses stated on the I-20 will be reduced accordingly.
The University of Hartford requires that all entering full-time exchange students have in their possession a valid F-1 student visa. Exchange students arriving to the United States with a visa other than an F-1, may find that they will not be permitted to remain at the University to begin their studies. You should not attempt to enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa more than 30 days in advance of the beginning of your program of study. Earlier entrance to the U.S. is not permitted under U.S. Immigration regulations. Please read the instructions on page 2 of your I-20 AB form before applying for your F-1 visa. Do not forget to carry the I-20 AB form with you when you come to the U.S. You will be required to present this document to a port-of-entry officer (customs or immigration) for admittance to the United States as a student.
Upon your arrival to the University of Hartford, you must come to the International Center for a visit. At that time, we will review your passport and other Immigration documents and discuss the Immigration regulations and University policies that affect your stay in the United States. You will not be able to register for your classes until you have reported your arrival to the International Center.
Visa Process <<back to top
Upon receipt of your I-20 AB form, you may begin the process of applying for your F-1 visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. We have included informational materials with your I-20 form to help you better understand the process. You may also find this information on the International Center’s website at:
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/intcenter/applyingforvisa.html
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/intcenter/SEVISfee.html
Immigration Regulations <<back to top
There are a number of important Immigration regulations and University policies, which in time will become familiar to you. These will be explained in detail to you during the International Student Orientation Program prior to the start of class. There are however, several important points which must be conveyed to you prior to your arrival:
Exchange students attending the University of Hartford on an F-1 student visa must be enrolled in a program of study on a full-time basis. If you are an undergraduate student you must be registered for a minimum of twelve credits per semester. If you are a graduate student, you must be registered for a minimum of nine credits per semester.
Exchange students may be employed on the campus of the University of Hartford. When making financial arrangements for your stay in the U.S., you should not plan to supplement your income with employment. In addition, exchange students will not be permitted to engage in off-campus work-related internship programs.
You must be in possession of valid Immigration documents, including your passport, I-20 AB form, and your I-94 card. Take special precautions to protect these and other important documents. Should they become lost or stolen, new ones will have to be issued (obtaining new documents may be a time consuming and costly process).
If you are transferring to the University of Hartford from another exchange program in the United States and will remain in the U.S. during this transition period, you will be required to present to the University, documentation indicating that you were enrolled as a full-time student at your previous institution. This documentation must be in the form a statement from your present International Student Advisor indicating your current full-time status. You must notify your current institution and the Immigration Service of your intention to transfer. Your current institution must “release” you through the Federal SEVIS System. The University of Hartford will not be able to issue an I-20 form to you unless you have be “released” form your previous school. Transfers must be accomplished within 21 days of the start of school.
Please remember, upon your arrival to the University, you must come to the International Center for a review of your documents and a discussion of Immigration and University policies affecting you.
Temporary Living Accommodations <<back to top
Exchange students should plan to arrive to the University prior to the beginning of class to participate in our orientation program(s) and begin the process of "settling in" to the University community. Permanent University on-campus housing is generally not available until several days prior to the beginning of class. In the interim, it is your responsibility to make any reservations at a local hotel/motel for this period of time. Whatever your choice for temporary housing, you must make your arrangements directly and in advance. You may find a local Motel/Hotel Listing at http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/intcenter/offcampushousing.html.
When You Arrive in Hartford <<back to top
Your first stop to the University should be to the International Center. We are located in the Gengras Student Union, room 327, and are open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring your passport and immigration documents. Should you arrive to the University after our regular business hours and have made on-campus, temporary or permanent housing arrangements please go to our Residential Life Office or Public Safety Office to check in. If you have not made housing arrangements, you will have to stay at a local motel/hotel until other temporary or permanent housing arrangements are made.
Permanent Living Accommodations <<back to top
International students coming to the University of Hartford have numerous options regarding their living accommodations. You may choose to live on campus in our residential housing, off-campus in an apartment, in a private home, or boarding room. On-campus housing is available only to undergraduate students. Housing is not currently available to graduate students and the University does not provide "family" housing.
The decision on where you will live is yours. Arrangements for either on or off-campus housing is your responsibility. The International Center will not secure your housing for you in advance of your arrival. If you wish to live off-campus, please be sure that you have the necessary financial funds available to cover your initial expenses which typically will be: 2 months advance rent, telephone installation charges, cable TV hookup, electricity hookup, cooking utensils, bed, and other personal items.
Undergraduate Student On-Campus Housing
The University of Hartford provides on-campus residential facilities for full-time undergraduate students. Space in these facilities is always in demand and new students are urged to apply as early as possible. If you have not applied for on-campus housing you may request an application from the office of Residential Life (tele: 860‑768‑7900 or send a FAX to 860‑768‑7902). Living in a University residence will give you easier access to campus activities, reduce your transportation needs, provide you with necessary furniture, and offer you the opportunity to have U.S. students as your neighbors.
If you wish to live in on‑campus housing, you must complete and return to us the University of Hartford Housing Contract and the required deposit. You should forward the housing application together with your admissions application to the University undergraduate Admissions Office as soon as possible.
Graduate Student On-Campus Housing
The University currently does not offer graduate student or dependent on-campus housing.
Off-Campus Housing <<back to top
Off‑Campus Housing is also available to you. However, be mindful that living off-campus will generally require that you have access to private transportation. Most off-campus residential apartments are not within walking distance to the University and public transportation may not always be available. Renting a room in a private home, renting an apartment by yourself, or finding another person to share an apartment and the costs are possible options. If you plan to live off-campus, or the University Office of Residential Life cannot confirm a space for you on-campus, arrive early enough to learn about the city and what off-campus housing options are available which best fit your needs. Come to the International Center to learn of any special housing opportunities. You may find a list of local apartment complexes at http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/intcenter/offcampushousing.html
