Keep good records.
You
should always safeguard documents in support of your nonimmigrant
status, and we recommend you store your documents in a secure personal
file. Always save original documents in your file, and never throw away
documents such as your I–20 or DS–2019 (formerly IAP–66) even if they
are old or expired.
The following documents are so
important that the US government requires that we keep copies of them
in your file. Therefore, you are required to bring the following
documents with you to International Student Services soon after you
arrive (or after you renew any of them): passport, I–94 card, I–20 (or
DS–2019).
•Passport
A passport
is an official document issued by your government certifying your
identity and citizenship for purposes of travel outside of your
country. Your passport must be valid at least six months into the
future at all times. If needed, you may renew your passport in your own
country during a vacation or through your country's consulate or
embassy here in the USA.
•I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
All
international visitors must have this form stapled into their
passports. [The only exception is for citizens (not residents or landed
immigrants) of Canada or the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, who
may have the I–94 card stapled directly to an I–20 or DS–2019.] As you
will receive a new I–94 card each time you enter the USA, you are
required to do an official check in with International Student Services
each time that you reenter the USA.
•Form I–20
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for a student to receive F–1
status. International Student Services issues the form to you, but only
after you have been admitted into a full-time program of study at The
New School and you have provided financial documentation showing your
ability to pay for your education and living expenses for the duration
of your program of study. Use the I–20 to apply for an F–1 visa at the
US Embassy or Consulate and to apply for F–1 Student status at your
port of entry to the USA. If you currently hold an I–20, then you will
not need a DS–2019. You may skip the next section.
•Form DS–2019
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for a professor, research
scholar, or student to receive J–1 status. If you currently hold a
DS–2019, then you will not need an I–20. You may ignore the previous
section.
•Other Documents
If you are in another status, you may or may not have other documents
related to your status. Whatever documents you do have, be sure to take
good care of them and bring them into International Student Services
too so that we can make a copy for your file.
Copies of all nonimmigrant status documents should be kept in your file at The New School.
•Health Insurance.
Because of the extremely high costs of healthcare in the USA, The New
School makes two very important services available to you at discounted
rates -
Student
Health Services Center & Student Health Insurance. It is crucial
for you to have health insurance coverage while you are studying at The
New School.
Make sure to have your health insurance information on you at all times and provide a copy of it to ISS for your file. Visit the
Student Health Services website to learn about health insurance and benefits.