One thing that you will need to do before you register for classes is to complete the SCIS Clearance Form. This was given to you upon check-in at the Center for International Services. The clearance form includes a space for signatures that will be obtained at various offices on the Syracuse University Campus or At the SUNY-ESF Campus. The instructions below will give you guidance in getting those signatures.

To see a sample of the Clearance Form you can choose one of these formats:

PDF

MS-WORD

Instructions to complete Clearance Form:

1. New Student Check-in Form: You will do this upon your arrival at the Center for International Services. The form is a blue sheet of paper on which you will provide information about where you can be contacted in the event of an emergency and information about your arrival in the United States. The New Student Arrival Consultant will give you the signature for this space.

2. International Student Information Form (ISIF): This form will also be given to you upon checking-in at the Center for International Services. You will fill it in with biographical information and details regarding your immigration documents. The New Student Arrival Consultant will give you the signature for this space.

3. Photocopy Documents and Photograph: To get this signature from a New Student Arrival Consultant at the SCIS, you will need to make photocopies of your immigration documents and submit those with a photograph of your self. (Please note that if you have an assistantship you will need to make three sets of these copies.)

There are photocopying machines at Schine Student Center, Campus Copy Center (in Marshall Square Mall), and various other locations around campus. The documents that need to be photocopied include:

Your passport (pages with passport number, issue and expiration dates, identity information including the photograph, date of birth, and the US visa Stamp)

The I-94 card issued to you. This is a small white card which is usually attached to your passport at the US Port of Entry. When you photocopy this card you must make sure that the Date and Port of Entry stamp that the Immigration service has put on it are clearly legible.

Your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. These photocopies need to be made after your entry to the United States. When you photocopy this form you must make sure that the Date and Port of Entry stamp that the Immigration service has put on it are clearly legible.

4. Health Insurance: You must purchase health insurance upon arrival in Syracuse or demonstrate that you have a comparable insurance plan. It is required that all international students have health insurance coverage and show proof of that coverage to the Center for International Services.

STUDENTS enrolling in Syracuse University Employee Health Insurance must purchase, each year, an additional rider called: Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. You may obtain this rider from the SCIS. The plan is called MEDEX. It will cost approximately $24 per person per year.

SU Graduate Students with Assistantships should contact the SU Benefits Office at Skytop Office Building or Bowne Hall, Room 121 for information on insurance options (Teaching Assistants will sign up during their Orientation)

SU Students on Fellowship should inquire at the Graduate School about your choices

SU students who have an alternative health insurance policy sign a waiver form. It may be necessary to purchase additional coverage for emergencies including medical evacuation and/or repatriation.

SUNY-ESF students will have health insurance fees automatically added to their tuition bill.

5. International Student Orientation: At one of the orientation sessions, you will get the signature for this item. Check your schedule for times and locations.

6. SCIS Orientation for Late Arrivals: Students arriving after the regular orientation program must attend a Make Up Orientation session. Ask a New Student Arrival Consultant for the time and location of this orientation.

7. I-9 Form: This is required for those students who have an SU Assistantship (teaching, research, graduate, etc.). You will complete the form and get the signature at the Center for International Services. When you complete the form, you will need to have one photocopy copy of your assistantship letter with you and two sets of photocopies of your immigration documents.

If you are an ESF student with an assistantship, you need to complete the form (at 109 Bray Hall on the ESF campus) but you do not need to get a signature.

8. English Language Assessment Exam: To get the signature for this item, consult the Orientation Schedule for times and locations of this test. This test is required for all undergraduate and ESF students and any SU graduate student whose TOEFL scores are lower than 600 (or under 250 on the computerized version of the test.

Exemptions are granted for students from the following countries: Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Liberia, Nigeria, United Kingdom. Any inquiries regarding other exemptions should be directed to the English as a Second Language Coordinator (located at 340 H.B.C.).

9. Bursar’s Office: To get this signature you must go to the Bursar’s Office. A signature is not required for SUNY-ESF students or graduate students paying all tuition expenses with personal and/or family funds.

The Bursar Representative will review your account with you. Undergraduate students must pay their tuition and fees prior to registration. Graduate students will be billed approximately 30 days after registration for tuition and fees.

10. Admissions Office: Only Undergraduate students at Syracuse University need to get this signature from the Undergraduate International Admissions office. The Admissions Office will verify your admission, records, and/or acceptance of transfer credits.

11. Medical Information: To get this signature you will need to go to Syracuse University Health Services. At Health Services you will need to present the Health Record forms that were sent to you with your Form I-20 (if you mailed them to Syracuse, Health Services should have them in a file for you).For detailed information on this requirement see "Health Records Requirement" section in Chapter 6.

If you did not complete these forms, you will have to sign up for a physical examination. If you need additional immunizations (which are required by Onondaga County law), the Health Center can administer these immunizations but there will be a charge of $40-120.

12. NetID Account: Upon your arrival, you will receive instructions on how to apply for a NetID account. If you have problems with this process, an Slutzker Center staff member or volunteer will direct you to the appropriate University office.

Clearance for Registration: After you have received all of the necessary signatures you will turn in your Clearance Form at one of the times specified in the Orientation Schedule.

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