Next Steps for Accepted International Students

Next steps for JCC international students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Jamestown Community College! As a new international student, you will work with the Global Learning team and your success navigator to arrive in Jamestown and start your first semester at JCC! The information outlined here will guide you through all the required steps to plan for a smooth arrival.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus as a Jayhawk at JCC!

Next steps for your F-1 visa process

One of the most important next steps is securing your F-1 student visa. Contact Global Learning at International@sunyjcc.edu if you need additional guidance for these steps.

1. Pay Your SEVIS Fee

Visit fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Save your receipt - you’ll need it for your visa interview.

2. Schedule Your Visa Interview

After paying the SEVIS fee:

*If the interview dates available are beyond our program start date, schedule the earliest available date and request an emergency appointment through the embassy directly. JCC cannot influence or assist with expedited requests.

3. Prepare for Your Visa Interview

The U.S. Department of State has updated its vetting process for student visas:

  • You will be asked to provide social media usernames and set your accounts to public during the review process.
  • Some students may receive a notice of "refusal under administrative processing." This is not a final decision - follow all embassy instructions for further review.

Note: JCC cannot access your visa application or provide updates. Direct all visa-related questions to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply.

Tips for a successful interview:

  • Bring all required documents:
    • I-20
    • Passport
    • SEVIS receipt
    • DS-160 confirmation
    • Financial support documents
    • Any items listed on the Embassy’s website
  • Be prepared to:
    • Clearly explain your study plans and financial support
    • Emphasize your intent to return to your home country after completing your program
    • Be honest, confident, and respectful during your interview

Next steps for attending JCC

Plan to attend JCC's Pre-departure Orientation Series for New International Students. You will receive instructions to register via email one month in advance.

In the meantime, you should work with your success navigator, review the following steps, and complete what you can in a timely manner.

Attend Pre-departure Orientation Series

The Global Learning team will host the Pre-departure Orientation Series for New International Students to cover critical information related to the steps outlined on this page. You are expected to attend all sessions, but they will also be recorded if you are unable to attend.

This four-week series will cover a different topic each week related to:

  • Course registration and F-1 enrollment requirements
  • Housing and move-in expectations
  • Health insurance and immunization compliance
  • Billing, payment deadlines, and financial responsibility

You will receive instructions to register via email one month in advance. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email for each session with a Zoom link. You will need to register for each session individually and the Zoom link is different for each session.

Pre-departure orientation schedule:

  • Fall students:
    • Early acceptance: April
    • General acceptance: June/July
  • All spring students: December/January

Work with your success navigator

Meeting with your success navigator is a required step after you are admitted to JCC. Justin Forster is the success navigator for all international students. He will be your go-to person as you prepare to start at JCC.

He will reach out to you after you are admitted, but you may also contact him if you have questions regarding these next steps.

1. Access your MyJCC Student Account

As a student at JCC, you'll use your MyJCC account for many college resources, including Banner, Brightspace, Degree Works, JCC email, library databases, LinkedIn Learning, Starfish, and wifi on campus.

Find your MyJCC login information in your acceptance letter to get started.

2. Complete Your Title IX Trainings

New students must complete the Sexual Assault Prevention, AlcoholEdu, and Anti-hazing trainings online before moving forward in the registration process. These trainings will be sent to your JCC student email, and the subject line will have "Vector" in it. These trainings must be completed annually.

  • Go to MyJCC and select JCC Student Email

Due date: As soon as possible - trainings must be done before you meet with an advisor to register for classes.

3. Schedule Placement Testing, Advisement, & Registration

All international students need to complete placement testing for English and math. This is not an entrance or pass/fail test. This helps determine the courses in which the student is best prepared to begin. We utilize a proctoring service for you to take your placement testing virtually.

Once placement testing is completed, you will be assisted to set up a Zoom appointment with your advisor to register for classes.

Class registration for the fall term typically begins in April, while spring term registration begins in November.

Due date: As soon as registration opens - get your classes before they fill up!

4. Secure Your Student Housing & Meal Plan

Complete the New Resident Housing Application and License Agreement to secure housing and select your weekly meal plan.

All residents must pay a yearly, non-refundable housing application fee of $150. This fee must be paid in full for an application to be processed and approved. This fee is not considered advanced payment. *Bank processing fees are in addition to the $150 for credit/debit or e-check payments.

Students who complete their application and application fee by August 1 for the fall semester and January 1 for the spring semester will receive priority.

Pay housing application fee online »

Or

Wire Transfer option for international students: access Flywire and ensure that SUNY Jamestown Community College - FSA Residence Life is selected as the recipient.

If you have questions, contact Residence Life for more information.

5. Sign Your Financial Responsibility Agreement

Registering for classes creates a financial obligation with the college. To confirm your registration, you need to view your bill to complete and sign the financial responsibility agreement each semester.

Log into Banner and:

  • Select Student
  • Select Your Bill
  • Select the term you want to view
  • Confirm your legal name
  • Complete the Student Financial Responsibility Questions (FRA) and survey items for this term to confirm your registration to stay enrolled in courses

Due date: Complete this step immediately after registering for classes and no later than the second Friday before classes begin.

Additional questions regarding your student bill and bill pay should be directed to FinancialAid@sunyjcc.edu.

6. Pay Your Student Bill

After you view your bill in Banner, select the link at the end of the bill: Click here to access Nelnet.

You will be redirected to Nelnet Business Solutions. 

  • You will create an account on your first visit.
  • After you create your account, you will be automatically logged in when you access the site through Banner.

Select Make a Payment.

Select amount to pay, check the box, then select Next - Payment Method.

  • For wire transfer: select International Payment.
    • Follow the steps to proceed to Flywire or Convera. You will be redirected to Flywire or Convera to finalize your payment.
  • To pay with a universally accepted credit card: select Make a Payment or Set up a Payment Plan to complete your payment.
    • To set up a payment plan, you must have a U.S. bank account or debit/credit card that is accepted in the U.S.
    • Payment plan information

Due date: Bills are due before you arrive on campus! If you have not paid your bill, you cannot move into the residence hall and we have no alternative accommodation for you.

7. View Your Course Materials

All students are automatically enrolled and billed into the Jayhawk Book Bundle. Learn more about the Jayhawk Book Bundle »

You can choose to reserve your book bundle or opt out. To remove the charges from your bill, you must opt out regardless of whether your courses require books. Go to our bookstore webpage to start the process.

Due date: 3 weeks before courses begin

8. Submit Immunization Records

Complete the MMR/meningitis forms »

  • Don’t forget to attach your immunization record before you submit. Must be translated to English.
  • MMR must have been two doses after the first birthday. If one dose was administered before your first birthday, you will need a booster and to submit an updated record.
  • Meningitis must have been within the past five years or complete and sign the Meningitis declination portion of the MMR/Meningitis electronic submissions form.
9. Submit a Photo for Your Student ID

International students must submit a photo before arrival to create your ID card in advance.

Global Learning will give you your ID card upon arrival to campus.

Due date: Before arrival

10. Arrange Your Arrival Date & Book Courtesy Transportation from Buffalo Niagara International Airport

International students have exclusive move-in dates to allow more time for adjustment and settling in. Do not plan to arrive at campus before or after the following move-in dates. Complete the survey to your book transportation and coordinate your arrival with the Global Learning team.

For soccer athletes only:

For all other students:

11. Recommended – Pre-ship Amazon Orders

This is a helpful option for international students to ship needed items ahead of move-in and to lessen packed luggage. Shipped items will be delivered to your Hillside Suites room.

Send to:

‘Your Name’
Jamestown Community College c/o Global Learning 
525 Falconer Street
Jamestown, NY 14702-0020

After you arrive

1. Attend Mandatory New Student Orientation

Orientation is mandatory for all first-time, full-time students and is typically the Friday before classes begin.

An online orientation is available through Brightspace for online students and those starting in the spring semester.

Due date: Must be completed before classes begin. Check for updates on our Orientation webpage!

2. Attend Mandatory International Student Orientation

This is a separate orientation from "New Student Orientation" specifically for international students!

This will be held on the Saturday before classes begin. More information will be provided.

3. Explore Your Supports

JCC has numerous support resources for our students that you can connect with.