Once You Arrive

Most F-1 international students set up a checking account upon arrival in the U.S. Opening a U.S. bank account will help make sending and receiving money easier. To open an account at most banks, you will need one or two valid forms of identification and proof of your local address, such as a utility bill. A passport, driver’s license, Texas ID card, and/or a birth certificate will typically be sufficient identification.

 

A minimum amount of money is usually required to open an account. This is typically between $25 and $100 USD.

 

Additionally, some banks may have accounts specifically for university/college students. These typically have reduced or no account maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and/or minimum balance requirements. When choosing a bank, ask about opening a student account. You may be required to provide proof of enrollment through the Collin College Registrar’s Office.

 

Things to consider when selecting a bank:

• Banking Fees — These are charges that banks impose on customers for various services, account maintenance, or specific transactions.
• Overdraft Protection — This bank service links your checking account to another account (like a savings account or credit card) to automatically transfer funds and cover transactions when your checking balance is too low.
• Minimum Balance Requirements — This is the minimum amount of money a bank requires you to keep in an account to avoid fees.
• ATM and Branch Locations — Make note of the physical places where you can do banking.

Collin College does not require — but highly encourages — international students to obtain health insurance. The U.S. does not have universal healthcare. The basic concept of insurance is that you pay a certain amount each month to get covered, and when you need healthcare services, the provider will bill your insurance company for the amount. Student travel health insurance will cover some or all of the costs, and you will be responsible for paying for the rest.

 

Here are some important terms to understand:

• Claim — You submit a claim to your insurance company to pay for part or all of your medical visit.
• Premium — This is what your insurance plan costs each month. You pay this amount to make sure you have coverage.
• Deductible — This is the set amount you will pay before insurance covers most or all of your costs.
• Co-insurance — After you’ve paid your deductible, co-insurance accounts for the percentage of covered healthcare costs you pay. An example of a co-insurance rate is 80/20, where your insurance provider covers 80% of the cost, and you are responsible for paying the remaining 20%.
• Co-pay — This is the set amount that you owe for healthcare visits, medication, and other services covered by insurance, no matter the outcome.
• Expenses — The expenses are the total share of the healthcare costs.
• Provider — Your provider is your doctor, hospital, urgent care center, or other professionally recognized organization that delivers healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment.
• In-network and Out-of-network — In-network providers accept your health insurance, while out-of-network providers do not accept your health insurance plan. If a provider does not take your insurance, you may be responsible for the total cost of treatment.

 

The following health insurance carriers serve international students. These companies are not affiliated with Collin College. This list is not intended to promote or advertise the listed companies.

• ISO Student Health Insurance
• International Student Insurance
• Compass Student Insurance
• iNext
• ISP: International Student Protection
• International Student Services, Inc. Insurance for Students
• Lewerglobal
• United Healthcare/PGH Global

 

Find more options by searching the internet for “International Student Health Plans.”

On-Campus

Collin College offers Student Housing at the Plano Campus. Student Housing is provided on an individual contracted basis with options based on one bed per student, and does not allow you to reserve more than one bedroom. If you wish to live alone, you may select from the available efficiency unit options on campus. Family housing is not offered at this time. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

 

To live on-campus, there are requirements. Visit the Student Housing webpage to view application dates, requirements, and to apply.

 

Off-campus

As an F-1 international student you do not have to live on campus. If you want to live off-campus you are encouraged to look at the many off-campus housing options available. It is important to consider proximity to campus and your transportation options. Collin College does not provide transportation between campuses.

 

Tips about off-campus housing:

• Begin your apartment search early.
• Plan to budget at least $1,000-$2,000 USD each month for rent and utilities for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Search for local apartments at www.apartments.com.
• Collin College does not provide temporary housing or accommodations when you arrive in the U.S.
• Temporary accommodations may be arranged with a local hotel. 

Counseling Services

Collin College mental health counselors aim to support student success by offering counseling services to help you maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. Visit the Mental Health Counseling page for more information.

 

CougarCare

Collin College provides 24/7 virtual care through Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH). This service is available to students enrolled in at least one credit hour. View the CougarCare webpage to learn more.

Getting a U.S. mobile phone service is a necessity for any international student in the U.S. to stay connected with your friends and family. Some carriers may offer student discounts, but it is best to check with the carrier directly. Most major carriers require a two- or three-year contract and may offer significant discounts to obtain a new device. The following list shows the major U.S. mobile phone carriers. These companies are not affiliated with Collin College. This list is not intended to promote or advertise the listed companies.

• AT&T
• Verizon Wireless
• T-Mobile

If you do not want to sign a long-term contract, you may obtain a pre-paid phone plan. The following carriers offer popular pre-paid plans in the U.S.:

• Metro PCS
• Cricket Wireless

Some students bring unlocked phones from their home countries and buy a U.S. SIM card from a mobile provider. If you plan to use your current device, check with your mobile provider in your home country first to make sure it can be unlocked and will be compatible with a U.S. SIM card.

Visit the Student Services and Resources page to engage and get involved!

Most Collin County residents rely on cars and major highways, though DART and Trinity Metro provide limited public transit and connections to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. DART rail service extends only to Plano, with full service available in a few member cities. Please note that Collin College does not provide transportation between campuses.

 

If you plan to operate a motor vehicle (such as a car or a motorcycle) in the United States, you must have a valid U.S. driver's license and sufficient driver’s insurance. In Texas, driver’s licenses are managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. To apply for a Texas driver's license, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website.

When entering the United States through a port of entry or preclearance location, be prepared to present the same documents you used when you first arrived in the U.S. to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.

 

If you plan to depart from the U.S. and return after a temporary absence, you must obtain a travel endorsement on your I-20 before traveling abroad. Travel endorsements are valid for 12 months for F-1 students currently enrolled in courses and six months for F-1 students on OPT.