Transportation

Amtrak

• From other U.S. cities to Harrisburg, PA (closest location to the college)

• Sometimes available in Johnstown and Altoona, PA

Greyhound Bus Lines

• From other U.S. cities to Ebensburg, Johnstown, or Altoona, PA (closest location to the college)

CamTran

• Local bus transportation between towns (Ebensburg/Portage/ Cresson)

CamTran provides affordable public transportation to Ebensburg, Portage, Cresson, and more. You can find the bus schedule on their website (the local line is Route 33), or by scanning the above QR code.

If you plan to drive a car, a valid driver’s license is required. For a limited time you may be able to drive with a valid driver’s license issued in your own country or a valid international driver’s license.

To obtain your Pennsylvania driver’s license, first go to the Admissions Office on campus to request an enrollment verification document to bring to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services. For details, see the Driver Services. A driver’s manual is available in multiple languages. DMV office locations closest to Mount Aloysius are in Altoona or Johnstown.

For more information, please visit the PA DMV’s website.

Altoona Driver and Photo License Center

Distance: 10.09 Miles

Address: 1738A Ninth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 (Behind Boyer Candy Building)

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30am to 4:15pm (closed Sunday and Monday)

Distance: 18.59 Miles

Address: 563 Walters Ave., Johnstown, PA 15904 (Use Walters Avenue Exit from PA 56)

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30am to 4:15pm (closed Sunday and Monday)

Most students recommend that you buy a car while living in the U.S.

• New cars - Students recommend searching online at www.truecar.com which allows you to compare prices and choose the best dealer.

• Used cars - Students recommend searching online at www.autotrader.com which lists cars being offered by dealers as well as by private owners. If you buy from a private owner, we suggest that you:

• Take the car to a mechanic and pay for an inspection to make sure it is in good condition.

• Check Kelly Blue Book for fair pricing information, depending on vehicle condition.

• Check Carfax for the vehicle history (previous accidents or damage).

• Registration - You must register your car at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Pennsylvania using instructions here.

• Car Insurance:

• If you buy a car, the law requires you to buy insurance and keep a paper copy of your proof of insurance inside your car at all times.

• Insurance costs (“premiums”) for international drivers may get quite expensive, since you would likely be considered a “new driver” in Pennsylvania. Be sure to compare quotes from at least 2-3 insurance companies (e.g. StateFarm, AllState, Geico, etc.) so you can get the best rate.

Renting a car can be a good option if you need a car just for a short time (e.g., several days or weeks).

On-campus parking is available to Mount Aloysius students. All vehicles must be registered by the end of the first week of each academic semester. Vehicles can be registered at the Campus Safety Department beginning August 1 and thereafter.

Fill out the forms on the MyMAC Portal to register your car for a parking pass. You can pick up your parking pass in the Campus Safety Office in Cosgrave Student Center during Welcome Weekend. Make sure you bring your license. Students who violate parking rules can expect to receive parking fines that are due prior to receiving your grades each semester.

When you register your car, you will need $45 and your vehicle registration. Replacement cost of a permit is $5.

Students may park in any lot designated for student use. A parking permit is required in all campus parking lots. Signs are located by each parking lot entrance designating the type of permit required.

Resident students with a vehicle on campus will also have to register for MAC Campus Alerts:Resident Vehicle Owners group to receive any important information regarding moving of vehicles due to weather. Mount Aloysius uses Omnilert for emergency notifications. Sign up using your MyMAC login at mtaloy.omnilert.net to receive emergency communications to your cell phone and/or email account.

The Campus Safety Department is authorized to tow a vehicle at the owner’s expense. Anyone who uses their vehicle to transport contraband onto campus also risks losing the privilege of having a vehicle on campus premises. Fire Department regulations do not permit parking in any fire lane or drive lane on-campus.

A vehicle parked on-campus is at the risk of the owner. Mount Aloysius College assumes no responsibility for damages, thefts, accidents, or other incidents involving vehicles.

The Campus Safety Department will issue special one-day permits in certain emergency situations. Campus Safety must be notified immediately, either in person, phone, or by email relating the description, location, and license plate of the unregistered vehicle.

• Students with special parking needs must contact the Director of Student Health and Wellness to discuss their specific circumstances.

• Students are not permitted to leave disabled vehicles on campus property.

• Unattended vehicles left on-campus without prior authorization from Campus Safety will be considered abandoned and will be towed at the owner’s expense.

• Residents will be assigned parking areas at the beginning of each semester. They will be given parking instructions during their mandatory residence hall meeting at the beginning of the semester.

As a Mount Aloysius College student, you are joining a caring community with policies in place to protect all students, faculty, and staff. Before you arrive on campus, we recommend that you take some time to review and understand Mount Aloysius College’s policies:

The Student Handbook provides all of the college’s policies and procedures.

The 2023-2024 College Catalog provides details for academic programs, courses, and academic resources.

All students are expected to have and carry their Mount Aloysius College digital student ID card at all times. You will use your phone for building access and meal plans. To set-up and obtain your virtual Campus ID, log into the portal page with your credentials. Select the IT Helpdesk tab at the top, and scroll to the MAC ID eAccounts section, where there will be a link and further instructions.

There are limited work opportunities available in the United States for F-1 students. For this reason, before coming to the United States, F-1 students must prove they have the financial ability (e.g., present bank statements) to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying. If you decide that you want to work, the first step is always to talk with your designated school official (DSO). Andrew Clouse, Dean of Admissions, is the current DSO at Mount Aloysius College. You can reach him at aclouse@mtaloy.edu.

The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously. If your DSO knows you are working without permission, they must report it through SEVIS, meaning your SEVIS record will be terminated. That means that you will have to leave the United States immediately, and you may not be allowed to return.

Depending on your status and program of study, you may be eligible for the following type of employment opportunities while you study in the United States.

On-campus employment is work that F-1 students whose status is Active in SEVIS may apply for. On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria.

Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. In order to apply, talk to your DSO. If approved, your DSO will provide you with a letter of approval. Take this letter from your DSO and a letter of approval from your employer to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number.

If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. If you have additional questions, please visit the F-1 Student On-Campus page on ICE.gov.

To learn about available on-campus work opportunities, please contact Sarah Kordish, Career Development Coordinator, at skordish@mtaloy.edu.

F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study, and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security’s emergent circumstances, may qualify for off-campus employment. Off-campus employment is work that that takes place outside of a school campus. To learn more about off-campus employment requirements and processes, please talk with your DSO or visit the DHS website.

For full employment guidelines, visit the DHS website.