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Getting Started at TWU

Below, you will find information about how to get started as a TWU student once you have received your Initial or Transfer Form I-20: 
 

Orientation/SEVIS Transfer Holds

Participating in International Orientation is required. Upon acceptance to TWU, an orientation hold is automatically placed on each international student's registration account. This hold will be removed once the International Orientation requirement is met. 

Transfer Student Hold

Once the ISSS office has received all the documents needed to issue a Transfer Form I-20, the SEVIS Transfer hold will be removed.

Tuberculosis Hold

As per TWU policy, all new international students, newly transferred international students, and those considered to be international students who were born in, resided in, or traveled to a country other than the United States are required to have completed the screening process for tuberculosis (TB Blood testing only) prior to registering for classes. Your TB hold must be cleared before you are able to register for classes. TB blood tests must be conducted in the U.S. Explore Tuberculosis Screening

Transfer students with a negative TB blood test result that is less than one year old may submit that result to TWU Student Health Services. If your negative TB blood test result is more than one year old you may have a new test administered at the TWU campus. Please allow 4-5 days for results.

Initial students should plan to arrive at least 4-5 business days before the start of class in order to have the TB blood test administered and receive the results.

Academic Advising Hold

Undergraduate students with less than 30 credit hours must be advised before they can register for courses. Academic advising is a component of the general TWU Student Orientation. Additional information about academic advising can also be found online. Explore Academic Advising


International F1 Hold

Every semester, all new and continuing international students on an F1 Visa will have IF1 holds placed on their schedules once they have registered for the appropriate number of credit hours and in-person/hybrid hours (Undergraduates: 12 minimum hours, with at least 9 hours being in-person or hybrid. Graduate students: 9 minimum hours, with at least 6 hours being in-person or hybrid). The IF1 hold is a positive hold, indicating that the student's schedule meets all requirements for F1 Visa eligibility, and allows the ISSS office to report on these students to the Department of Homeland Security in a timely manner. 

Houston Campus Students

International students enrolling at the TWU Houston Campus are required to attend a mandatory orientation for International Students. Information will be provided to students upon their acceptance to TWU. The orientation hold will be lifted after attendance is complete. 

Denton and Dallas Campus Students

International students enrolling in the Denton and Dallas campus are required to attend the scheduled orientation. Details about dates and times for orientation will be sent to students once they are fully admitted. The orientation hold will be lifted after attendance is complete.

New Student Orientation

International students are welcome to attend a new student TWU Student Orientation, which includes information about student life and success at TWU. This orientation is voluntary. Explore TWU Student Orientation

Graduate Student Orientation

TWU offers an orientation specific to graduate students. Incoming graduate students should also check with your academic department for additional orientation requirements. Explore TWU Graduate Student Orientation
 
All undergraduate students, including international students, who attend a state-supported college or university in Texas must meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Requirements which demonstrate college readiness. For undergraduate students whose native language is not English, this test is still required even though TOEFL scores may show proficiency in the English language. Learn more about TSI Exemptions & College Ready Scores

In addition to the TOEFL and TSI tests, certain students (primarily first-year students) may be required to take the math and English placement test after arrival on campus. All undergraduate science majors must take the science placement test after arrival on campus. If you are required to take these brief on-campus assessment tests, you will be notified during your advising session prior to registration. For more information, please visit Academic Advising
Government regulations and university policy require every person in the United States with J-1 or F-1 status to maintain health insurance with minimum provisions of coverage. For more information, visit TWU Student Health Services

Airports

The TWU Denton campus is located about 30 miles north of Dallas. Two airports service the area encompassing Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton.
 
  1. Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW)
  2. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
The TWU Houston campus is located in the Texas Medical Center district of Houston about 30 miles north of Dallas. Two airports serve this area:
 
  1. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 
  2. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) 

Public Transportation & Commuting

All three communities where TWU campuses are located support options for public transportation at discounted rates for students. Parking is also available at all three campus locations. Explore Commuting Resources

U.S. Driver License

International students may obtain a Texas Diver License while studying at TWU. Explore U.S. Driver License Information

On-Campus Housing

On-Campus housing is available on the Denton campus only. There are multiple furnished housing options, including apartment-style communities, traditional double rooms, single rooms, and family housing. Explore Living On Campus

Off-Campus Housing

TWU's Campus Alliance for Resource Education provides support to students for finding off-campus housing in all three campus communities. Explore Living & Moving Resources

Dining

Dining services are offered in various capacities across all three campuses. The Campus Alliance for Resource Education (CARE) office also provides students with resources to locate food pantry services in both the North Texas and Houston areas. Visit the following websites for more information:

Tuition

Students must be prepared to pay tuition for the first semester upon arrival. Tuition is due each semester, and students receive a bill for tuition charges and all applicable fees (including housing and meal plans, if living on campus) which must be paid when registering for classes. Students can pay by cash, check, traveler's checks, money order, or credit card. Installment Plans are also available to students, allowing semester bills to be paid in three monthly installments. Explore Paying for Classes

Finances

The university and local businesses accept only United States dollars. International students should bring sufficient funds to cover expenses for several weeks. It is advisable to utilize credit or debit cards, or traveler's checks rather than carry copious amounts of cash. International students may also wish to exchange some currency for United States dollars to cover immediate expenses, such as transportation, phone calls, and tips. Contact a bank in your country for instructions on how to transfer funds to a bank in Texas.