Texas Tech University

Pre-Arrival Guide

 

So you're about to arrive on campus? We hope your travels here will be safe and easy! To help you prepare for your time at Texas Tech University we've made a pre-arrival guide to help you out! Please read through each step carefully.

See you soon!

 

 

Checklist Clipart

 

Step 1: Activate your eRaider Account

After being admitted to TTU, you will receive an email from IT Help Central with your Texas Tech username, activation code, and instructions about how to activate your account. At this time, you should also activate your TTU email address. 

Note: Please check your TTU email account on a regular basis, since this is the address where all TTU communication will be sent. TTU email addresses automatically deactivate about 1 year after graduation for security purposes.

How to activate your Eraider Account - step by step

Step 2: Obtain the Appropriate Visa

If you are currently residing outside the US and will make your initial entry to begin a program at TTU, you will need to apply for a student visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. Please visit the "How to Get a New Visa" and watch the video below for more information:

How to Get a Visa

Transfer students must first transfer their SEVIS record to TTU from their current university. To do this, please reach out to TTU International Undergraduate Admissions and the international office at your current institution.

Note: After you've been admitted and successfully completed the Check-In Process with TTU, your assigned International Advisor will email you a new I-20.

Step 3: Set up On-Campus or Off-Campus Housing

All first-year undergraduate students are required to live on campus. Information about on-campus housing and how to register can be found on the University Student Housing Webpage here. Be sure to book your dorm early as dorm applications fill up early and may result in you being put on a wait list for housing. 

All questonis about dorms need to directed to the TTU Housing office - housing@ttu.edu

Graduate students, transfer students, and any other students who are not required to live in on-campus housing can find a variety of websites that will provide off-campus housing options. Many of these off-campus facilities have bus services to the campus for students without cars. Do not wait to book an apartment. do your reaserach online before arriving or ask friends or Global Guides for advice. Apartments are used to commuinicating with international students via email and will work with you to get settled. 

Please note - while many college apartments provide furnature most American apartments DO NOT come with funrnature. Be sure to ask if the leasing manager if the apartment will come furnished. 

For students who arrive before dorm move-in or before their apartment lease begins:

International Student Life has partnered with Visit Lubbock to offer discounted rates for hotels close to campus. These rates are only available to international students traveling to the US alone or with family who need a temporary place to stay until move in. To learn more about this program, visit our Hotel Partnership Program page.

Before signing a lease for off-campus housing, please read the brochure published by the TTU Student Legal Services office.

Early dorm move-in letter - Dorms do not allow early move-in for students as they are preparing and cleaning the rooms for move-in day, however, we have received special permission from the TTU Housing office to allow international students 24-hour early move. 

If you require medical, disability, or other needs for housing there is assistance for you. 

Student Disability Services works closely with University Student Housing and Hospitality Services in order to provide students with accommodations within campus dining and housing facilities. If you need housing accommodations or adjustments to a dining plan, have your medical provider complete the Request for Housing and Dining Accommodations Form. You may also email Mindy Diller, the Campus Dietitian.

A student who presents sufficient evidence of an extreme medical condition, as documented by his/her treating physician, for which on-campus accommodations cannot reasonably be made, may be eligible to apply for a medical hardship off-campus request accommodation. In most cases, students with special medical needs can be accommodated on campus by changing rooms or hall, or by providing dietary consultation. If you need to apply for a medical hardship off-campus request accommodation, have your medical provider complete the Medical Hardship Off-Campus Request Form.

 

Step 4: Receive Required Immunizations

Incoming first-year students who do not meet the exemption requirements must provide documentation of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) and Meningitis vaccines before enrolling in classes. Some international students are also required to be screened for tuberculosis.

You can easily manage and upload documents through your MedProcter Account. 

Immunization Information Page for International Students

Information on TB Screenings at TTU

Step 5: Register for your required orientations

All undergraduate students are required to attend 2 orientations:

  1. Red Raider Orientation
  2. International Techsans Day

All graduate students are required to attend at 2 orientations

  1. New Graduate Student Orientation
  2. International Graduate Student Orientation.

Registering for International Orientations 

Step 6: Take the Required Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Pre-Assessment Activity

All incoming first-year students are required to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test before registering for classes. Graduate students are not required to take the TSI. Undergraduate students that are transferring from a community college in the US may not need to take the TSI. 

To learn about the required TSI Pre-Assessment Activity, and to find out whether you are required to take this test, visit the TSI website below.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Pre-Assessment Activity

Step 8: Check Registration Holds

Before a student can register for classes, all holds on the student's account must be removed. Holds can come from a variety of reasons. If you are unable to register because of a hold, please visit Orientation Service's website below.

Learn More About Registration Holds

Step 8: Register for Airport Pickup

International Student Life has partnered with the university and Lubbock community to offer you a free airport pickup service. To learn about this service and sign up, please visit the International Student Life website below.

Airport Pickup Information and Sign-up

Additional Steps & Information

Disability Services

To sign up for disability services, housing and food accommodations, course substitutions, and more, please visit the website below.

Student Disabilities Services


Estimated Expenses

The university's minimum, average expenses for 9 months can be between $30,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on your degree, program and dependents. Actual expenses vary greatly according to tuition, fees, and number of courses taken by a given student as well. The university also reserves the right to make changes in tuition and fees at anytime.

Students on F-1 and J-1 visas should have at least $4,000 in their possession upon arrival in Lubbock. We recommend that you bring as much of the amount as you are allowed to transfer. Please plan accordingly. Tuition and fee payments are due before classes begin.

If you plan to bring your spouse and child(ren) with you, add approximately $6,500 for your spouse and $4,600 per child for 12-month living expenses. Students are urged to have adequate financial means for their entire period of study since there are few financial resources at the University.

Note: Please take extra care with any amount of currency that you may have on your person. Be sure to properly secure these items and your immigration documents while you are traveling on your person.

DO NOT PUT MONEY/IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS IN YOUR LUGGAGE!!!!

Consider setting up a PayMyTuition Account to pay your tuition, fees, and housing bill. This service will allow you to easily pay your bills after you register for classes. Sometimes there are delays in transferring money from your home bank account or setting up a US bank account. If your payments are delayed, it can result in your classes being dropped.

Setting up a PayMyTuition Account

 

For more information on how to set up a bank account, life in lubbock, services, finding a job, Internatoinal student events, and more visit the TTU International Student Life webpage