I-20 Application Checklist

A bank statement showing enough money to fully fund your first year at the College (minus any financial aid)

Proof of future funding/income (typically in the form of employment letters with name, salary, and the title of your sponsors) for years 2-4

Currency conversions of account balances and salaries to USD for all documentation (use www .xe .com to easily convert your amounts, and print out with your documentation)

A photocopy of the identification page(s) of your passport

A copy of your F&M financial aid award letter, if applicable

✔ Double check to make sure your documents are not more than 6 months old.

Initial Travel to F&M

Transportation & Accommodations

We strongly recommend waiting to book travel until you have your visa in hand.

Students are required to arrive on campus for the first day of international pre-orientation Please note that new F-1 students (with the exception of SEVIS transfers) are permitted to enter the US up to 30 days before their program start date on their I-20 . You should not travel with large sums of money, but we suggest that you keep about $200 USD for travel costs and food

Travel Methods

Air

There are several major airports within a day’s travel to Lancaster

• Most students will try to fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) . Baltimore (BWI), New York (JFK or LGA) or Newark City (EWR) are other popular options with train connections There is not a major airport in Lancaster, but Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) is another close option with limited service Please do not book your flight until you have your visa in hand

• At the airport, you should allow up to 2 hours to collect your baggage and complete immigration procedures We do not recommend buying train tickets until you get to the station There is always space on the train, so advance purchase is not necessary .

• Helpful information about security screening can be found on the U S Customs and Border Protection website .

Train/Car

No matter where you fly into, you will need to take some type of car/train/bus combination to Lancaster

• Lancaster is a 90-minute car ride from Philadelphia (and would be an expensive taxi ride), so most students use the Amtrak train system The train travels between Lancaster and Philadelphia several times per day and takes about one hour The Philadelphia station, PHL, is located at 2955 Market Street, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898 .

• You can take a taxi from the airport to the 30th Street Station It is about a 20-minute drive Also, any taxi driver or Uber/Lyft driver at the airport will be familiar with how to get to the train station

• Alternatively, you can take the SEPTA train system (Regional Rail Line) from the airport to the train station If you need to get to Lancaster from any other city, please check the Amtrak website for train availability and schedules .

• From the PHL train station, you will travel to the Lancaster Train Station, LNC The address for LNC is 53 McGovern Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602 The Lancaster Station is a 5-minute drive to F&M . It will be difficult to walk to campus with your luggage, so we recommend you take a taxi On move-in day, there will be a shuttle from the Lancaster train station to the campus location for check-in during daytime hours

Lodging Options for Arrivals Before Move-in Day

Please note that F&M cannot accommodate move-ins earlier than the published international move-in day.

• Make sure you ask a lodging site about their age requirements! Many students will book hotels in the US only to arrive and not be able to check in alone Many hotels require guests to be at least 18 or 21 in order to check in alone

• Our office partners with Lancaster area hotels for discounted rates for student travelers . A full list of Lancaster lodging, dining, and sightseeing options is available on our Admission website There are many hotels within a very short taxi ride to campus and many provide a discount to F&M visitors

Arriving at F&M

On move-in day, you will check in and receive many important items, including your health insurance card, ID card, and room key Light refreshments will be available Current F&M students will meet new international students upon arrival and help you get settled on campus . Lunch is available at your own expense The first meal provided by your college meal plan is dinner

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