New International Students
After Acceptance
All new incoming international students must take the following steps to confirm their enrollment at Springfield College:
- Pay your enrollment deposit: Once your $300 deposit has been made, your enrollment will be confirmed and you and the College will begin preparing for your arrival!
- Activate your PrideNet account and Springfield College (SC) email – Your account information will be sent from tsc@springfied.edu. Make sure to check your SC email often as all official communication will be sent to your SC email.
- F-1/J-1 Students: once you have paid your deposit, you will need to begin the process to secure your student visa. Carefully review the steps you need to take under Immigration and Visa Process.
Pre-Arrival
The International Student Pre-arrival guide will give you an overview of the international program at Springfield College and serve as a resource to support you prior to departure, when you arrive, and as you adjust to being a student at Springfield College. It includes helpful checklists and common Springfield College terms.
- Confirm your course schedule
- Undergraduate students will need to complete a pre-advising questionnaire and meet with an academic advisor
- Graduate students should be in touch with their department
- Select your housing and meal plan and complete your housing contract. Email reslife@springfield.edu with questions about your housing assignment.
- Complete required health forms and immunizations prior to arriving on campus. This includes providing your COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate. Email healthcenter@springfield.edu with questions.
- In accordance with Massachusetts law, all international students will be automatically enrolled in the Springfield College Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Pay your ebill or set up a payment plan in PrideNET by going to your “My Financial” portal. Review your payment options.
- Organize your travel plans to Springfield College and submit your arrival information through the International Center Arrival Form.
- Follow these steps to upload your photo, so that we can have your Springfield College ID ready for you when you arrive on campus.
- Bedding: a basic bedding pack will be provided to all undergraduate international students who complete an arrival form. Graduate students can request a bedding pack on the Arrival Form. The linen pack includes:
- 1 Twin XL Comforter
- 1 Fitted Microfiber Sheet
- 1 Microfiber Pillow Case
- 1 Pillow
- 1 Twin XL Mattress Pad
- 1 Twin XL Microplush Blanket
Arrival and Orientation
- All new students should complete the International Student Arrival Form (required for pick ups and to receive a bedding pack).
- International Student Arrival Day is 1 week before the start of fall classes or 2 days before the start of spring classes
- International Student Welcome (ISW) begins the day following arrival
- Arrival Pick-ups:
- The International Center will provide free shuttle service from Bradley Airport or Union Station in Springfield, Mass., to Springfield College on arrival day ONLY from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you would like to use the shuttle service, please plan your travel accordingly.
- To arrange your own transportation to campus, please refer to the Transportation to Campus information for our recommendations.
Transportation
- Springfield College is 30 minutes north of Bradley Airport- Hartford, CT (BDL) and 90 minutes west of Logan Airport-Boston, MA (BOS).
- Arrival:
- Airport Pick-ups: The International Center will provide free shuttle service from Bradley Airport or Union Station-Springfield, MA, to Springfield College on the designated arrival day only.
- If flying into Logan Airport-Boston, MA, take the MBTA Silver line from the airport to South Station. From South Station, take the PeterPan bus to Union Station-Springfield, MA.
- Getting around Springfield:
- Weekend Shuttle: The Office of Student Activities operates a shopping shuttle Friday - Sunday during the semester.
- There is public bus service through PVTA a short walk from campus that goes to downtown Springfield/Union Station or to shops on Boston Road.
- Uber, Lyft or local taxi services are available to take students wherever they need to go.
- Due to limited public transportation in the Greater Springfield area, students who are required to complete internship or practicum hours off-campus as part of their degree program may want to consider investing in a vehicle.
Mobile Phone
A U.S. SIM card will be provided in your international student welcome packet. You may also have the opportunity to purchase a U.S. SIM card or mobile phone during orientation or welcome week. We recommend selecting a no-contract, pay-as-you-go phone service. You will need funds to activate your service.
Bank Accounts
We strongly encourage all students to have a bank account. Since the closest bank to Springfield College is Bank of America at 106 Island Pond Rd, Springfield, MA 01118, Tel: (413) 746-1420, most people choose to open a Bank of America account. The International Center will provide an opportunity to open a bank account during orientation or welcome week. Please make sure you have at least $25.00 USD in cash funds to open a new account.;
- All undergraduate students will be assigned a Springfield College mailbox number.
- Graduate students can request to have a College mailbox through the Post Office.
- Use the following address format to have mail delivered to you on campus:
Student Name
Springfield College
SC Box XXXX
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
- Mailboxes are located in the Campus Union or near the Post Office in the basement of Locklin Hall.
- Packages: When a package has been processed by the mailroom and is ready for pick-up, the student will receive an email notification.
- If you would like to mail items to yourself before arrival, make sure to use your legal name and include your Springfield College ID. Items will be held at the Post Office located in the basement of Locklin Hall.
