Admitted International Arrivals

Once you've been accepted to Champlain as an international student, these are your next steps.

International students group photo on the front porch of an academic building

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your acceptance to Champlain College! The following information outlines the next steps you need to take prior to your arrival to the United States. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Student Services (OISS).

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Next Steps:

  • The enrollment deposit is $500.00 U.S. dollars and is due as follows:

    • Starting in Fall term (August): within three weeks of your admit date (Early Decision) or May 1st (Regular Decision)
    • Starting in Spring term (January): at the latest by November 1st.

    There are two options to pay your deposit as an international student:

    1) Flywire

    Champlain College has partnered with Flywire to streamline your payment of tuition and fees. Flywire has no bank fees, low exchange rates, and allows you to pay in your home country currency. Please visit champlain.flywire.com, create an account, and follow the directions on how to send your money safely and securely to Champlain College.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: Flywire can ONLY be used to pay a Champlain College international student’s billed tuition and fees; it cannot accept payment for off-campus or personal expenses.

    2) Pay by U.S. Credit Card

    If you would like to pay with a U.S.-based credit card, please reach out to our Admissions team. They will be able to assist in taking your deposit through this Online Application Portal. Call or text them at (802) 625-0201 or email them at admission@champlain.edu.

  • Required Immigration Documents Based on Status:

    1) No current F-1 student status in the U.S. – Initial Form I-20

    If you decide to come to Champlain College, an Initial I-20 will allow you to obtain an F-1 student visa which will allow you to study full-time in a degree-seeking program at Champlain College.

    Please fill out the Champlain College Form I-20 Application Information Form and follow the directions to submit any required documentation.

    2) Current F-1 student status in the U.S. – Transfer Form I-20

    If you already have an F-1 student visa which is valid (and will be valid for reentry and start of classes at Champlain), you will need to ask your high school to help you with a SEVIS transfer before your current Form I-20 expires and apply and submit appropriate documentation for a Transfer Pending Form I-20.

    Please fill out the Champlain College Form I-20 Application Information Form and follow the directions to submit any required documentation.

    3) Other non-immigrant status in the U.S.

    If you currently hold another non-immigrant visa status within the U.S. (F-2, H-4, L-2, etc), please reach out to a qualified, experienced immigration attorney to discuss whether or not your visa status will allow you to earn a degree and hold employment (work on-campus, paid internships, etc) within the U.S.

    If your current status will not permit these activities in the U.S., please fill out the Champlain College Form I-20 Application Information Form and follow the directions to submit any required documentation. You will find the full costs of Champlain College (including housing) in the Form I-20 Application.

    4) U.S. Citizens or Dual Citizens Abroad

    Please travel only on a valid, unexpired U.S. passport to enter and exit the U.S.

  • For students from countries other than Canada:
    For step-by-step guidance on how to pay your SEVIS fee and apply for an F-1 student visa.

    For Canadian and Bermudian citizens ONLY:
    For step-by-step guidance on how to pay your SEVIS fee and enter the U.S. successfully in proper F-1 student status.

    For U.S. Citizens abroad:
    Please check your U.S. passport to make certain that it is valid and unexpired before travel to the U.S.

  • For Students Admitted for Fall Entry (August)
    Fall Admitted Students

    For Students Admitted for Spring Entry (January)
    Spring Admitted Students

  • International students, exchange visitors, and any U.S. citizens from abroad must arrive on campus and move into the residence hall several days before the beginning of the first semester to attend a special international orientation.

    • SPRING TERM (January): Wednesday, January 8, 2025
    • FALL TERM (August): Sunday, August 17, 2025 anytime – Monday, August 18, 2025 before 12:00 noon.

    If you intend to travel in the U.S. prior to coming to the campus, you need to know that according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations, all initial or beginning F-1 or J-1 visa students are only allowed to enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the program start date as shown on the Form I-20 or DS2019. Please consider this regulation carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.

    A beginning student wishing to enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the program start date must qualify for and obtain a visitor visa.

    A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study (F-1 or J-1) clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry.

    If you do not make it clear to the immigration official at this point in time, you will need to exit the U.S. and reenter with the appropriate F-1 or J-1 status.

  • Once you have made your travel plans, please use the Arrival Form to submit your travel information to the Director of the Office of International Student Services at Champlain College so that we can be made aware of your date of arrival and officially welcome you to our campus.

    You will receive a welcome packet full of things to get you through the first weeks of university as well as your student ID card and keys (if needed) to your residential hall.

  • International Orientation:

    Mandatory for all new international students, exchange visitors, and U.S. Citizens from Abroad

    International students, exchange visitors, and U.S. citizens from abroad will participate in both the special International Orientation and the general all-new Student Orientation. The International Orientation is designed to help our international community members gain an understanding of immigration and visa-related issues, explore the campus and community, make new friends, learn more about the culture and customs of the U.S., and have fun as they begin their Champlain experience. A variety of activities, workshops and outings are planned. Contact international@champlain.edu with questions.

    Arrival Days

    Please use the Arrival Form above to send your arrival information so we can pick you up in Burlington. If you arrive before the stated arrival dates, you will be responsible for your lodging, meals, and transportation.

    • SPRING TERM: January 2025
    • FALL TERM: Sunday, August 17, 2025 anytime – Monday, August 18, 2025 before 12:00 noon

     

    Pre-Orientation Program for International Students:

    • FALL TERM: August 18-21, 2025
      The Pre-Orientation Program will give you a chance to get settled into your residence hall, take care of college business, and tour the campus. International Orientation Leaders are available to help you get acquainted with the campus and the Burlington city center. This is a good opportunity to meet staff, faculty, and other students who will help you throughout your stay at Champlain College. Sessions on U.S. academics, public safety, housing, and immigration are planned. This special international orientation is mandatory for all new incoming international students, exchange visitors, and U.S. citizens from abroad.

     

    New Student Orientation

    This orientation will include a college welcome, student activities, and a chance to meet the Champlain academic teams. All those who attend international Orientation must also attend this three-day orientation.

  • Please visit the Campus Life page for more information.

    What to Bring

    Learn about “What to Bring” during International Orientation, we arrange shopping time for international students to buy personal items for their residence hall room.

    All students from abroad (either U.S. or international) will be placed into Break Dorm Housing. This allows our students to stay on campus when they cannot go home during Breaks when the campus is closed (i.e. Thanksgiving holiday, Winter Break, Spring Break, etc).

  • About Burlington

    Burlington, Vermont is the largest city in the state with a population of just under 45,000. It is a small and relatively safe city, which is home to five colleges and universities. The city is located on the shores of Lake Champlain and at the base of the Green Mountains. It is a beautiful place, with many opportunities for outdoor activities and cultural events. If you would like to explore Burlington more, please visit the following sites.

     

    Banking

    It is neither necessary nor practical to carry large amounts of cash with you. If you have not done so already, you should open a U.S. checking account. If you need assistance, we will help you open a bank account during International Orientation. When opening an account, you must present identification (passport, driver’s license) and proof of affiliation with the college. Different banks have their own policies on service charges and minimum balance requirements for checking accounts and interest yields on savings.

    The Center for Communication & Creative Media has an ATM from TD Bank that allows you to withdraw money from your account 24 hours a day if your bank participates in the network.

    Transportation

    Champlain College offers the Unlimited Access Free Bus Ride Program. All Champlain College faculty, staff, and students can ride any GMTA city bus anytime, anywhere, including the LINK Express routes for FREE. Just show the bus driver your Champlain College student ID card and then swipe it through the fare box card reader. If you need to take more than one bus to get to your destination, you MUST ask the driver for a transfer before you leave the bus.