Information for International Students

Finances

As long as you are careful with your money the stipend you earn while at CU will cover all necessary expenses like housing and food.  When you first arrive in Boulder there will be several large expenses that you will need to be prepared for.  You will be paid your stipend monthly beginning one  month after you start your first semester.   The following is an estimate of the amount of money you will need for the first month.

Living expenses (including housing and food)                 US$1000

Security deposit (for an apartment)                                US$1000

Student Fees                                                                 US$ 500

Medical Insurance                                                         US$ 500

                                                                                    US$3000

When you first arrive in Boulder you will have to wait for your social security card to arrive.  If you would like to open a bank account before your card arrives, there are two banks in Boulder that do not require a social security number to open an account: Wells Fargo and BankOne.

Housing

It is highly recommended that international students with families apply to live in family housing.  Rent is reasonable and includes all monthly utilities (telephone, electricity, water, heating, internet access).  Family housing is also very well set up to help international students settle in when they first arrive in Boulder.  There is a waiting list to get a family housing apartment, so I recommend that you apply at

http://www-housing.colorado.edu/housing/family.html

as soon as you decide to come to CU-Boulder.

If you have a significant other (with a joint checking account) or children, you are eligible to apply for family housing.

If you are a single student, then there are other resources for you to find housing.

Safety

Boulder is relatively safe compared to other cities; however it is recommended that you do not walk around campus by yourself after dark (especially females).  There is a Nightride and Nightwalk service available, where a volunteer escort will walk or drive you from campus to anywhere in Boulder, so that if you find yourself stranded on campus at night you will not have to walk home alone.

Immigration

Foreign Students and Scholars are the ONLY office on campus authorized to provide factual information or advice in this area, and so we decline from any comment other than a link to their webpage.
Tina Tan, Associate Director, is also a good contact for information:  303-492-2979