International Student Check-In and Orientation

Dear Victor,

As you work through your list of things to complete before arriving in Columbus, make sure you add these important tasks to it.

In this email

• Purchasing health insurance
• Vaccination requirements and Tuberculosis testing
• Academic integrity and conduct in the United States

Purchasing health insurance

This fee will appear on your Statement of Account when you register for classes, regardless of the mode of instruction assigned to your course enrollment. Coverage for summer 2024 will begin on May 6, 2025.

International students remaining in their home country and taking only distance learning credits are not subject to the Health Insurance Requirement and may request the SHI fee removed from their Statement of Account.

To request the fee to be removed from your Summer 2025 Statement of Account, you will need to verify your current residency in your homeland by providing your I-94 documentation (most recent I-94 page and Travel History page) for any arrivals and departures in 2024 or 2025. Access your I-94 information online. You may submit the requested documentation beginning April 29, 2025. All documents must be submitted before May 6, 2024. Please contact Student Health Insurance if you have questions at shi_info@osu.edu or 614-688-7979.

For more information, including current rates, benefit details and the enrollment requirement for international students, visit shi.osu.edu.

International students arriving before May 6, 2025 are not covered by Ohio State's Student Health Benefits Plan until this date. Accordingly, we encourage all international students enrolling at Ohio State for the first time to purchase the university's early arrival coverage.

Early Arrival Coverage provides up to four weeks of extended coverage under the Student Health Benefits Plan. A pro-rated, weekly premium must be paid to the Office of the University Bursar for this coverage in addition to the standard rate for the Student Health Benefits Plan coverage for the upcoming enrolled term.

Access rates and dates information online. Download the 2024-25 Early Arrival Coverage - International form to purchase early arrival coverage.

If there are any questions regarding early arrival coverage, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office at shi_info@osu.edu or 614-688-7979.

Vaccination requirements and Tuberculosis testing

As a part of the mandatory vaccination requirement, international students who arrive in Columbus and will take in-person classes at Ohio State must complete Tuberculosis (TB) testing to eliminate the possibility of active infections on campus. This is required of all new international students, any returning international student after spending one semester or more in their home country or abroad, and any international student switching from an undergraduate degree program to a graduate-level program.

Either a Tuberculosis skin test (PPD) or a Tuberculosis blood test (IGRA/QFT-G/T-Spot) is acceptable for the requirement. The TB test must be completed within six months of the semester start date in order to be accepted. If your Tuberculosis test is returned with positive results, a chest x-ray is required in addition to the positive test.

Student Life Student Health Services will have limited availability to complete Tuberculosis tests on campus after your arrival. It is highly recommended that all international students complete their Tuberculosis test before arriving at the university.

You will receive a secure message from Student Life Student Health Services via My BuckMD web portal in the next few weeks with information on how to complete and submit the vaccinations and Tuberculosis test for the university requirement. Please read this message and complete any associated electronic forms as soon as possible to avoid having an academic hold placed on your Buckeye Link account, which will prevent you from scheduling classes, viewing your grades, or receiving your transcripts.

Contact shs@osu.edu with any questions.

Academic integrity and conduct in the United States

Academic rules and expectations at Ohio State may be different than those in your previous school, so it is extremely important that you understand and follow Ohio State’s standards regarding academic integrity, which are in place to ensure that students complete assignments with fairness and honesty. Misunderstanding these rules could lead you to violate the Code of Student Conduct, which has very serious consequences, so it is important that you educate yourself on topics such as plagiarism, when it is okay to work with others, proper exam behavior and other standards of academic conduct.

A wide variety of workshops are available to help students succeed. The Office of International Affairs offers recordings of academic success workshops covering a variety of topics, including academic conduct standards and expectations. You can also view a list of academic resources around the university for more individualized help.

Buckeye Link reminder and tuition and fees deadline

Tuition and fees will be due on April 29 unless otherwise noted on your Statement of Account. Tuition fees not paid by the deadline will be subject to university late fees. You can only pay tuition and fees one semester at a time; you cannot pay for an entire academic year at one time.

For assistance, try asking BuckeyeBot, help.osu.edu or Buckeye Link.

Missed a pre-arrival email?

The Office of International Affairs sends weekly pre-arrival emails to address the most important topics for incoming international students and help prepare for your transition to campus. Each email covers different topics you need to know before starting the semester and is archived on our website.

Additional resources

Visit our website to review information and learn more about life at Ohio State and the United States. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu with any immigration questions and global-engagement@osu.edu with general orientation and arrival questions.

• Pre-Arrival Frequently Asked Questions
• Academics
• Life at Ohio State
• Global Engagement
• Maintaining Your Immigration Status
• Campus Resources