Welcome to Flagler College! We are so excited to learn you will be joining us soon. This section will help you better understand the immigration processes surrounding your student status while preparing you for your next journey on our campus. We hope this information can help you prioritize your many pre-arrival responsibilities.
Welcome Guide
The Center for Global Education's Welcome Guide gives newly admitted students more information about the international student experience at Flagler College.
St. Augustine Weather
St. Augustine is located in Florida's northeast. The city experiences humid and warm temperatures for the majority of the year. It also gets about 220 days of sunshine throughout the year and an average of 50 inches of rainfall, with August being the wettest month.
The city is great for anyone who wants to spend most of their time outside.
Helpful Hints
Helpful Hints
I-20 Information
A Form I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for regular F-1 students who wish to study at Flagler College. You submit a Form I-20 after you have been accepted into Flagler College and have shown you have the funds to pay for your college experience, including education and living expenses.
Admitted students use their Form I-20 to get an F-1 student visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.
F-1 VISA Information
An F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. The F-1 visa is for students who want to study at an accredited two- or four-year educational institution. Your F-1 visa is your identifying document while in the U.S.
SEVIS I-901 Fee
In 2004, Congress mandated that all international students and exchange visitors pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. The fee funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
This fee is separate from visa fees and school SEVIS administration fees. Be sure to pay your SEVIS Fee early in the application process! You must pay this fee before you arrive in the United States.
Form I-94 Information
A Customs and Border Protection Officer at a U.S. port of entry (airport, bus terminal, ferry stop, etc.) issues a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) upon entry and departure from the United States.
Visit CBP’s website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home to access your electronic Form I-94.
Flagler College has specific health insurance requirements for all students.
Please be sure you complete the right immunization forms before you arrive. You can visit Flagler College's Health Services page for important information like current immunization forms, a medical insurance guide, and more.
Flagler College offers many resources to our students. Our international students are encouraged to check out the many offices and resources available to them. Some resources are listed below:
The Center for Global Education holds a mandatory orientation catered to incoming international first-year and transfer students each semester. Students will get specific information regarding the date, time, and place of the orientation before the start of the semester.
Please contact the Center for Global Education at InternationalCenter@flagler.edu if you do not get information about the mandatory orientation!
Planning what to bring to College and what to get after can be challenging - especially when your College is in a different country!
Below is a packing list to help you figure out what it's best to bring before you arrive on campus. Please note that this is not a complete list. Your unique needs may differ.
- Immigration documents (Passport, Visa, Form I-20)
- Travel adapter
- A converter that can convert the standard US voltage of 120 V (if necessary)
- The proper clothing for North Florida weather
- Small bath towel
- One to two-day supplies of toiletries
- Item(s) that remind you of home (i.e., photos of family, friends, and hometown).
Immigration Documents
Make sure you have all of your required immigration documents BEFORE you buy your plane ticket. These documents include your passport, Form I-20, and F-1 student visa. The Center for Global Education suggests making a copy of each to keep with you at all times in case you misplace one.
Immunization Requirements
All Flagler College students must have two MMR vaccines (measles, mumps, and rubella) to attend Flagler College. All immunization forms are due within three weeks of your admission letter from the college.
All newly admitted students will get a letter about registering for our Health Services Portal. On the portal, you will find our mandatory medical history, permission to treat forms, and a place to upload your immunization forms.
Financing Information
Please be advised that all fees must be paid to Flagler College's Business Services Office before the start of each semester. Specific payment information can be found on the Business Services page.
Shipping Information
We realize that many international students travel great distances to study at Flagler, and you may want to ship packages to our campus.
You are welcome to send packages to Flagler College before your arrival. Our wonderful mailroom staff will hold your packages until you get here.
The Flagler College mailroom address is located at 107 King St., Suite D, St. Augustine, Fla. 32084.
If you are mailing your items before your arrival, please send them to:
Your Name
Residence Hall
Name and Room Number
107 King St.
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084
Please use the Mailroom Information Sheet to address your packages properly.
Arriving in Florida
There are many different airports near St. Augustine. The closest to Flagler College is the Jacksonville airport. The official name is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), about 50 miles from the Flagler campus.
Please note that several U.S. cities are named Jacksonville when making travel arrangements. Please ensure the final destination on your itinerary is Jacksonville, Florida (airport code JAX).
Arriving On Campus
Students should be prepared to take an airport shuttle or taxi from the airport to campus.
Airport Shuttle
To get to Flagler's campus, you should plan to pay around $70-80 fare for one passenger. Some helpful shuttle links are:
http://www.ezshuttle.net/augustine.php
http://www.islandairportshuttle.com/
http://www.airportexpresspickup.com/
Taxi
You should plan to pay about $80 - $150 from the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) to Flagler College.
In most cases, you do not need to arrange a taxi in advance. Just go to the taxi pick-up area near the baggage claim at the airport. Taxi drivers are customarily tipped about 15% of the fare in the United States.
Questions?
Questions
Stop by the Center for Global Education to speak with a staff member or email global@flagler.edu to schedule an appointment. The Center is in the Multicultural Center (Ponce Breezeway)