Incoming International Students | Abilene Christian University

Important Arrival Information

Pre-Arrival Immigration Information

You are responsible for obtaining your F-1 or J-1 visa before you can travel to the United States. This process is complex. Please read our overview of Pre-Arrival Immigration Information to get a basic understanding of the process.

Once you are accepted to ACU, you will receive more information from OISVS about the visa interview process. Be sure you are checking your email frequently for important updates.

New Student Move-In

First-year international students are able to move into their residence halls earlier than other students. Check the arrival form for specific dates and times, and be sure to complete the form to be added to the list for early move-in.
Students are not permitted to move in prior to the early move-in date. Please plan accordingly.
You are not permitted to move into your residence hall until you have completed financial settlement and received your meningitis immunization.

International Student Orientation

Incoming undergraduate international students will participate in Wildcat Week, like all other incoming students. At Wildcat Week, you’ll meet other students and get familiar with ACU’s campus.

Incoming undergraduate and graduate international (F1/J1) students have additional mandatory activities during this week. Completing these activities is essential to maintaining your immigration status:

Immigration check-in. All incoming international students will have a mandatory check-in appointment on Monday during New Student Orientation. Graduate students who are not in town can make a separate appointment.
INTL 101: Orientation for ACU Global Students (sessions will take place during Wildcat Week). U.S. citizens with international backgrounds are welcome to attend but not required. Topics include:
- Immigration
- Health insurance
- U.S. laws
- Cultural adjustment
- American classroom culture
- International student services and resources

New International Student Orientation Schedule

Arrival Form

Complete the arrival form so that we can make necessary arrangements before you arrive on campus.

Free airport pickups are available from the Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) when you arrive.

Arrival Form

Housing

On-Campus Housing

If you are starting at ACU as a first-year college student or you are under 21 years of age and have fewer than 60 hours of college credit, you are required to live on campus.

Your admissions counselor will provide information about how to register for housing once you are admitted. Contact reslife@acu.edu if you have questions.

ACU Residence Halls

On-Campus Apartments

University Park apartments are a great housing option for students who are 21 or older or who have completed two years of college (including graduate students).

They have 1-, 2- and 4-bedroom apartments. You can contact reslife@acu.edu or up@acu.edu for more information.

University Park Apartments

Off-Campus Housing

Students who are over age 21 or who have completed two years of college (including graduate students) are eligible to live off campus.

Abilene has several options for off-campus apartments and houses. Be sure to pay attention to the distance from campus, as Abilene does not have many public transportation options. Email offcampushousing@acu.edu for more information or see page below.

Off-Campus Housing

Mandatory Health Insurance

Health insurance is very important in the U.S., and costs can accumulate quickly with even a minor medical procedure or office visit. To help, ACU enrolls all F-1 and J-1 international students in an ACU group policy, which meets the U.S. Department of State Guidelines.

You are welcome to have an additional insurance policy. However, the ACU group policy is mandatory.

Insurance Billing

Insurance charges are automatically placed on your ACU account each semester.
Students are charged the premiums for five months in the Fall semester (August-December) and seven months in the Spring semester (January-July).
Coverage is continued during the summer months for continuing students who were enrolled full time the previous Spring semester.
Your insurance charges are included on your I-20 and DS-2019 cost information.

Additional Insurance Information

Preventative dental and vision checks are not covered by this policy. Be sure to visit your dentist and optometrist before coming to the U.S.
Some medications sold over the counter in your country will require a doctor visit and prescription in the U.S. If you currently have a medical condition of any kind, we recommend you bring extra medication with you since it may take time to get established with a doctor in the U.S.
J-2 dependents are required to have health insurance coverage by the Department of State while in the U.S.
Please note that the insurance does not pay 100% of a student’s medical costs. Students should come prepared to pay the $100 deductible and 50% of prescription medication costs, as well as the cost for non-covered items.