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Home > Student Services > International Student Center > Information for Current International Students > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit medical documentation to Bergen?
 
Yes, Bergen Community College maintains a safe environment and must comply with New Jersey State Law requiring students to have certain immunizations and/or tests. Your student Medical Record, including up-to-date immunization records, physical examination, must be submitted to HS-100 by the end of your first semester. For more information on your required immunizations, please visit HS-100, or refer to the flyer that you will receive in your admission package.
 
You may also visit the Health Services site for more information and forms.
 
Do I need to buy medical insurance at Bergen?
 
International students are required to purchase the Bollingerhealth insurance. All health insurance fees are paid with tuition and other fees at the time of registration. Students are charged $50 per year for insurance. You can read about the Bollinger Health Insurance Plan by checking the Health Services site.
Some students decideto purchase additionalhealth insurance on their own. The College does not endorse one particular international student healthinsurance company. For additional international student insurance, you may want to look at the following sites:
The Harbour Group, LLC: www.hginsurance.com
 
What is SEVIS?
 
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is the system used by the US government to track all those in F and J status.
What is a Visa?: Your Visa is your physical visa paperwork in your passport. It is your “key” to get inside of the United States.
 
What is “Status”?:
 
Your status is your reason for being in the United States, if you hold an F-1 visa,yourreason is to study.
 
What is an I-94?
 
The form I-94 is a record of admission to and departure from the United States. It indicates how long a person can remain in the U.S. All non-immigrants are given a form I-94 upon entry to the U.S. The I-94 is a small white card placed inside your passport. The I-94 states the visa classification under which the person entered and how long the person may remain in the U.S. For F-1 students the I-94 should indicate 'D/S’, which means duration of status. DO NOT lose this card, it is expensive to try to get a new one. If you lose this card, see an International Student Counselor immediately!
 
What is 'D/S' on my I-94 card?
 
'D/S' stand for Duration of Status. Thismeans that you may remain in the U.S. for as long as you are in status. If you are an F visa holder and your I-94 card says something other than"D/S" (for example, if a dateis printed), pleasebring it to an International Student Counselor so that wecan helpto fix the problem.
 
What if my F-1 student visa has expired?
 
You are permitted to stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain you student status. However, if you are returning home or traveling to another country, you must have a valid visa to return to the United States.For more information on this, please visit the following link: REVALIDATING YOUR VISA. Your visa is like your key to get into the USA. You do not need your key again, until you must re-enter the USA.
My I-20 will expire before I complete my studies: You are required to havea valid, non- expired SEVIS I-20 at all times. If the end date on your I-20 is approaching, make an appointment with an International Student Counselor. We will provide you with a new I-20 if you do in fact need more time to complete your studies, by doing an extension on your I-20. In order to obtain an extension, please bring in an up-to-date bank statement proving the amount of money on your I-20, and if you have a sponsor, you will also need to bring in a signed agreement of support. For more information, visit this page: EXTENDING YOUR I-20 PAGE)
 
Have more questions? Email us at isc@bergen.edu or call us at 001 201 689-7601 to make an appointment with your International StudentCounselor. Walk in hours are also available.