Once I am in Ruston, where should I stay till I get my own dormitory or accommodation?
We will help you arrange a temporary accommodation until you get your own accommodation set up. You may have to pay a minimal charge of $10 per one night. Again, you must make us aware of your need for our assistance prior to your arrival.

How many days do I have to wait till I get my own apartment?
It is mandatory for all undergraduates (if you are below 24 years) to stay on campus. If you send in your housing form along with the application, your dormitory should be ready by the time you arrive in Ruston.

For those looking for off-campus housing, we will be happy to furnish you with a list of phone numbers of apartment management agencies. The earlier you arrive in Ruston the easier it will be to find an apartment.

Oh, finally I am in Ruston and my dream has come true! Where should I go first?
You should come by the International Student Office (ISO) upon your arrival. Please bring ALL your immigration documents with you. We will be happy to answer your questions and do our best to make you feel home!

Is there any sort of financial aid offered to international undergraduates?
Most of the international undergraduates are eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver, which waives 60% of the tuition fee they pay.

I am a prospective undergraduate student and I would like to know whether I am eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver?
All undergraduates need to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours with a CGPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the out-of-state tuition waiver. This is just an eligibility criterion and does not automatically qualify you for the waiver. A waiver application form may be picked up in the ISO, or can be downloaded here.

I am a prospective graduate student. How good are my chances of getting some sort of financial aid?
Please note that aid and assistantship are no different. When you apply to the Graduate School, you are automatically considered for aid. Graduate students who are offered aid will receive an offer letter from their academic Department, and the amount will be reflected on your I-20. If you are not offered an aid prior to your arrival, you may be able to obtain assistantships after coming here, once you have built relationships with your faculty members and shown yourself to be an asset in their area of research/study. The assistantship waives 60% of your tuition fee, in addition to providing a monthly salary.

What sort of assistantship is offered to graduate students?
There are two types of assistantships offered, viz., GA (Graduate Assistantship) and RA (Research Assistantship). TA (Teaching Assistantship) is also generally categorized as a GA.

Okay! I am ready to do some sort of on-campus job. Whom should I meet?
Many on-campus jobs, which are also referred to as student worker positions, are open to international students. The larger employers are the University Police, Cafeteria, Library, Computing Center, Housing, and Tech Farm (Tech Dairy). You should contact these, and all other on-campus employers, as quickly as possible. There are a limited number of positions available, so it is important for you to come early and make a good first impression. However, certain Offices might not process your applications before the start of the academic quarter you are admitted to.

I want to come to Tech first, but I want to transfer to a different school as soon as I come there. Is that allowed?
You need to study here for a minimum of one academic quarter before you are allowed transfer to a different school.

Should I bring my money in cash or check or draft?
We recommend that you NOT travel with a large sum of money. Plan to bring enough cash for any traveling expenses and bring the reminder of your money in Traveler's Checks, Bank Draft, or some other secured manner. Once you have arrived in Ruston, you can deposit money into your Tech account to cover your tuition expenses and our office will assist you in opening a personal checking and/or saving account(s) at a local bank.

I am a graduate student. I am worried as to how much will be my monthly expenses?
Ruston is a relatively inexpensive area. Most of our students who live off-campus average $300 per month for housing & food. For students who live on campus, the average cost is $460 per month for housing and food.

Are there any extra-curricular activities for international students?
ISO, in coordination with the International Students Association (ISA), conducts many activities, programs, and events for international students. Some the events include: The Annual International Scholarship Dinner, International Day, Quarterly Picnics, Movie Nights, Sporting Tournaments, International Satellite TV, and much more. Tech has students from over 60 different countries. You will have a unique opportunity of learning about many different cultures here at Tech. Browse the International Events page for more details about the events and to find a list of upcoming events. We also strongly recommend that you should become an active participant in events and activities that are open to both international and American students.

Do you recommend that I bring any thing specific from my home country?
You will be involved in so many events here where you will have a chance to display some things specific from your country. We recommend that you bring your country's traditional dress, posters, and any type of arts & crafts that you feel help to describe and educate others about your home country.

Is it compulsory to attend the Orientation session for new international students?
Yes!

Is there a English as a Second Language program available on Tech campus ?
We do have an ELS Language Center located on the campus of Louisiana Tech. For more details, visit their website.