Resources
Scholarships
The Office of International Education & Development announces the Fall 2007 application cycle for the following scholarships. Please submit applications to the Office of International Education & Development before 5:00PM by November 1, 2007 for consideration. See Grant Application guidelines for details and qualifications.
Kephart Grant - amount varies per academic year.
Woodson-Horine Scholarship - amount available varies per academic year.
Dollars for Books scholarhip -
Orientation Schedule
The closest and most economic option for airports is Charlotte, NC. Pick up service is only provided from Charlotte. Public transportation is available from Greensboro to Boone. All international students, graduate and undergraduate degree seeking students as well as exchange students are required to attend the International Student Orientation. The schedule is posted here: International Student Orientation Schedule
Insurance
Appalachian State University requires all F-1 students to enroll in the HTH Worldwide insurance plan for international students. Currently the cost of the international student insurance plan is $56.50 per month. For more information about Health Insurance plan and requirements!
more information in power point
Income tax
All F-1 and J-1 students are liable for both U.S. federal income tax and state income tax. The tax forms 1040NR and 8843 must be filed between January 1 and April 15. Remember to keep a copy of all your tax forms to obtain your “tax clearance” when you leave the U.S. remember to inform your employer that foreign students do not pay social security (FICA) tax.
All international students who were in the United States prior to December 31 must submit tax form 8843 to the Internal Revenue Service before April 15. Students who received compensation, prior to December 31, for on-campus work, scholarships, tuition waivers and/or assistantships must file state and federal taxes. This office purchases access to a tax software which assists international students and scholars with filing the federal tax forms: http://www.cintax.us.
Workshops will be provided to get you started with state forms. If you received compensation as described above you should receive one of the following forms in your ASU mailbox by the end of January:
W-2 - Wage and Tax Statement
1042-S - Wage and Tax Statement for non-resident aliens (tax treaty)
1099 - Independent Contractor statement
1098-T- Scholarship Tax document
Do Not Throw These Forms Away! If you did not receive one of the above forms, please contact Payroll Office at 262-6422.
Bring ALL of the following items to your workshop:
- W-2, 1042, 1098-T, and/or 1099 (These forms will arrive through your ASU postal box)
- Any other tax information / forms you may have received
- Passport/Visa/I-94, I-20 or DS-2019
Tax workshops are designed to help current F-1 and J-1 students with general tax questions and forms. Students with specialized cases may need to seek professional help off-campus.
What To Do If...
- If you received compensation as described above you should receive one of the following forms in your ASU mailbox at the end of January: W-2, 1042-S, 1099, or 1098-T Do Not Throw These Forms Away!
- If you received compensation and did not receive one of the above forms, please contact Payroll at 262-6422
Transportation
Are you thinking about buying a car?
Information and owning an automobile in North Carolina
Automobile information/mechanics and parts
Public Transportation
BOONE TO GREENSBORO—AND STOPS ALONG THE WAY! The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation is now providing bus service from Boone to Greensboro. Stops along the way include Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem and Yadkinville. By connector buses boarded in Winston-Salem, trips to Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh are also offered.
You can utilize easy connections in Winston-Salem and Greensboro that will take you to the train station in High Point, or
PTI airport. Once you have purchased a ticket, you are considered "in the system,” and you can make all the transfers and connections that you want without incurring additional charges.
To check for fares and bus schedules, and for contact numbers, click on this link: http://www.parking.appstate.edu/regionalbus.html
Clubs and Organizations
- INTAPP - International Appalachian, the student organization that promotes internationalization on campus.
- AppPeers pairs an International ASU student with a Domestic ASU student to encourage friendship and interaction between the two groups throughout the stay of the International student. Contact INTAPP for more information.
- International Friendship Association (IFA) is an organization designed for the international students at ASU to take on leadership positions and get involved on campus with events, intramural sports, and other activities. Contact INTAPP for more information.
- Directory of Campus Clubs
Employment
Pursuing an International Career
Appalachian students and alumni are encouraged and invited to contact the Career Development Center at 828-262-2180 to schedule a consultation with a career counselor and create a personalized plan of action and identify the resources that best suit your individual needs.
The Career Development Center offers the following international career resources:
Student Employment
Housing
Mountaineer Apartments are only reserved for graduate students and families. Undergraduate students must secure on-campus housing through the Housing Office. You must sign a housing contract and pay the required deposit each Spring semester by the designated deadline. Failure to do so will result in you having to look for housing off-campus.
- Students who reside on-campus must follow the Housing Department procedures and regulations and report housing conflicts with their Resident Assistant or Resident Director.
- Appalachian State University requires all students who reside in a residence hall to purchase a meal plan.
Residence Halls Closings- Residence halls close to all students on the last day of exams at the end of each semester. However, international students are eligible for housing arrangements in the dorms during the breaks with advance notification made to Office of International Programs.
Graduate Students - Mountaineer Apartments
- Graduate students may secure housing through Office of International Programs, but must abide by the Department of Housing and Residence Life rules and procedures.
- Apartment leases must be renewed each year. Students who return home over the summer breaks will still be responsible for paying rent over the summer months if they wish to retain their apartment assignment. The Housing Office does not allow students to sublease apartments.
- Graduate students may reside in a designated International Programs apartment up to a maximum of 24 months. Once a student is finished with their graduate course work, they are no longer eligible to reside in a Mountaineer Apartment.
- Mountaineer Apartment residents must follow proper check-out procedures at the end of their program of study to avoid a penalty charge and to secure return of their $100. deposit.
Banking
We suggest you bring at least $500.00 in US traveler's checks in $50.00 denominations with you to cover initial expenses. This means $500.00 beyond the cost of tuition and fees listed on your I-20. We do not suggest that you carry large sums of US currency with you, about $75 in cash, plus a small amount in change for phone calls should be sufficient to keep on your person. Local banks provide a full range of financial services you will need during your stay: We will help you to open an account, but this can take time. Please have a plan to access money for your first months stay.
For information on Banking in Boone!
Weather and Clothing
Boone is located at 1,000 meters elevation. The climate is cooler than you might expect for a southern state. If you arrive in August, daytime averages 80 degrees F. During the Fall and Spring you will need a sweater or light jacket most days. The temperature drops ten to twenty degrees at night. Heavy winter snowfall is not uncommon.
It will get very cold during the winter, and the wind-chill frequently pushes the temperature well below 0 degrees F.
Bring Heavy, wind-resistant winter clothing and warm sturdy boots or be prepared to purchase them after your arrival.
Driver's License
You are required to get a North Carolina license, pass both a written and a street driving test, provide proof of automobile insurance and pay a fee of $20.00 before you purchase a car. The Office of International Education & Development cannot be involved in either helping you buy a car or in helping you find insurance. This is a personal choice, and you will have to make the arrangements to meet North Carolina law on your own. To find out more about driver's license visit the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Alcohol Drinking Age
The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21. You may not legally purchase, nor drink alcohol if you are under 21. You must have a valid photo I.D. that also shows date of birth in order to purchase alcohol. Either your passport, or international driver's license fits this requirement. However, it is recommended that you obtain the North Carolina Identification Card.
This can be obtained through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Requirements for obtaining a State ID card
Please see the International Student Advisor or the Registrar's Office if you need a letter of support before visiting the DMV.
