TCNJ Pre-Arrival Requirements

TCNJ Computer Account

The first step to becoming a TCNJ student is activating your PAWS account

1. Point your browser to account.tcnj.edu
2. Click “account look up”
3. Type in your 6 digit TCNJ (PAWS) ID #
4. Type in your last (family) name as it appears on your passport
5. Type in your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format (e.g. January 11, 1996 would be 01/11/1996)
6. Click “Get account info”
7. if you receive the error message “no account exists” e-mail iss@tcnj.edu to find out exactly how your name, date of birth, and PAWS ID number are listed in our system.
8. You will then be shown your TCNJ username and initial password
9. SAVE THIS INFORMATION
10. Return to account.tcnj.edu
11. Click “change/manage password”
12. Log in with username and password provided to you in step 7
13. Follow directions to change your password
14. SAVE THIS INFORMATION—your TCNJ username and password will be used to log into all TCNJ computers and software.

Student Health

Video From International Student Insurance Insurance Explained https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/us-healthcare-system-video.php

Pre-Arrival Health Forms and Required Immunizations

All new students at The College of New Jersey are required to show that they have immunizations and those at risk for tuberculosis to provide documentation related to their history of tuberculosis. It is expected that students meet ALL of the College’s health requirements by the deadlines posted in order to accommodate the NJ state immunization requirements. The requirements include:

• New Student Medical History (access online in OWL)
• Record of Immunization (signed by medical professional)
• Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire
• Physician’s Evaluation for Tuberculosis (signed by medical professional)

If you have difficulty completing the requirements by the deadline please e-mail health@tcnj.edu with your expected completion date. Please visit the following link for complete details and instructions: http://health.tcnj.edu/new-students/pre-entrance-health-requirements-for-international-students/

Student Health Insurance

TCNJ requires that all full-time students have adequate health insurance to cover medical emergencies and hospitalization. Exchange students will be enrolled unless proof of alternate insurance is documented by the specified deadline, degree seeking students should follow the instructions to enroll or waive prior to the deadline at the beginning of each semester and/or academic year.

Arlotto Family Center for Global Engagement encourages students to enroll in the College provided TCNJ Student Health Insurance Plan. This plan is especially important for student athletes (varsity, club, or amateur) and those with a history of mental illness.

This plan is the only plan accepted by our Student Health Services. If students elect to have alternate insurance, students will be required to pay full cost for services and then submit their receipts to their chosen insurance plan for reimbursement. The College acquired health insurance covers or defrays the cost of laboratory testing, x-rays and prescription medicine that must be obtained through off campus providers. Please also note that the College-acquired health insurance provides a Dental and Vision discount plan, but because eye care and dental care areexpensive in the US, it is advisable to have these services performed before you arrive in the US.

For updated information about The College of New Jersey’s Student Health Insurance Plan, please visit their website: TCNJ Student Health Insurance Plan

Housing and Dining

When we send your I-20 or DS-2019 we will notify Housing that you are a part of the global cohort. Degree seeking first year and transfer students will follow the instructions provided by the Office of Student Transitions to complete your online application for housing. Exchange students will be automatically assigned a room in our upper class (refers to your school year not quality of housing) experience unless you notify iss@tcnj.edu of alternate housing arrangements. All global students are offered an early move-in process, so pay attention to information from iss@tcnj.edu on dates and times available for move in.

Exchange students have the opportunity to Opt-in to our International House, a townhouse-style residence. You can review different room layouts on the housing website. Please make any special requests at the time of your acceptance to TCNJ.

Spouse and Children – Dependents

Families are not allowed to stay in on-campus housing and must make arrangements to live off-campus. Contact iss@tcnj.edu for assistance in finding a family home that suits your needs close to campus.

Dining

A TCNJ On-Campus meal plan is included as part of your bill for your stay at The College of New Jersey. Our office recommends that students enroll in Carte Blanche Meal Plan B as they are getting to know TCNJ dining unless dietary restrictions prevent them from doing so. The plan includes unlimited meals at the main dining hall (Eickhoff Hall) and set amount of “points” to be used at all other on-campus dining facilities, which include various small cafes, Lions Den Food Court, and T-Dubbs/C-Store convenience marts. All other food can be purchased at a near-by Shop Rite located 5 minutes by car, 10 minutes by bus, or 30 minutes by walking from TCNJ.

Fees and Payments

The cost of a college education in the US is very high. These costs should be carefully considered when making arrangements to study at The College of New Jersey. You must arrive prepared to meet all of these expenses. Do not rely on earning extra money after you arrive. Financial assistance is usually not available to international students after they arrive and employment opportunities are severely limited.

Billing Calendar/How You Can Pay

You can pay your bill by credit card, check, cash, or wire transfer. You can review the various forms of payment and expected fees for each here: https://studentaccounts.tcnj.edu/billing/bill-payment-options/

Each semester Student Accounts releases a billing calendar. This calendar may be hard to read/understand. The important thing to remember is that there are no late fees applied to your account until after the first day of classes each semester. Prior to start of classes you will receive an invoice with two different due dates, but the most important date to avoid fees in the first day of classes.

Wire Transfer
We have found that international students find it easiest to transfer funds electronically from your bank to The College of New Jersey ’s bank. Keep in mind there may some additional or “hidden” fees that result in a short payment to The College. It is your responsibility to pay any balances that are on your account. If you wire funds it is important that the transfer instructions indicate your name and your PAWS ID in the event the funds are coming from a parent, relative or friend whose name is different than yours.

Currency Restrictions & Transfer of Funds to the United States

Before finalizing your plans to study in the US, become familiar with your government’s regulations regarding currency restrictions and the transfer of funds. Some governments restrict the amount of money that can be taken out of the country. Others may restrict funds until an enrollment confirmation letter from the admitting US institution has been received.