Fulbright Students

The U.S. Department of State sponsors the Fulbright Program in collaboration with many foreign governments around the world. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), and AMIDEAST. These agencies work to place, advise, and provide J-1 Exchange Visitor Student sponsorship to international students in the U.S.

During your time at UIC, the Office of International Services will work to support your success by welcoming you to campus, connecting you to resources, and providing cultural and educational programming. We are so glad you are here!

Questions related to your immigration status such as travel, work authorization, insurance, registration requirements, and tax filing must be directed to the Fulbright advisor at your sponsoring organization. OIS advisors do not have access to your SEVIS record, and therefore, cannot advise on your immigration status.

Connect with your sponsoring agency Heading link

FAQs Heading link

Here are some frequently asked questions from Fulbright students at UIC.

All admitted international students have a SEVIS hold placed on their student account which prevents class registration. To have this hold removed, you must first enter the U.S. and then complete your Immigration Check-In with OIS. During this check-in, OIS advisors review your immigration documents to ensure that you have entered in the correct status to begin studies at the University.

Your sponsor may require you to submit verification of enrollment at the beginning of the semester. The Office of the Registration handles this type of verification and you can find more information on their website. OIS does not produce nor require verifications of enrollment.

Each semester, please ensure you have submitted your Terms of Appointment (TOA) or Grant Authorization document to the Graduate College and to the University Bursar for billing.

You must set up sponsor billing with the University Bursar to allow your sponsor to be billed for and pay your tuition and fees. This process is completed online via the Sponsor Authorization Portal and can no longer be completed via email, mail, or fax.

If you have questions about sponsor billing, please email bursarsponsorbilling@uillinois.edu.

All registered UIC students are automatically enrolled in CampusCare, the UIC student health benefits program. If you would like to make changes to your CampusCare enrollment, such as waiving coverage or adding/dropping a dependent, you must do so directly with CampusCare and by their stated deadlines.

You will need written approval from your sponsor to work on-campus. Please submit a copy of the written approval to OIS along with a copy of your UIC offer letter so that OIS can make the necessary updates in the university system.

When you complete your degree or if you transfer to another U.S. institution, you will need to complete paperwork with OIS to confirm your departure. Please connect with an OIS advisor for guidance.