Resources for Incoming International Students

IGSAB has compiled a resource guide for international students, intended to facilitate the transition to and life in Chicago. The guide below provides useful information regarding administrative processes, professional development, transportation, mental health, and emergency and food assistance programs.

HOUSING

Housing resources can be found on the UChicagoGRAD Housing Resources page. Explore the Getting Started pages to learn about things to consider as you prepare for your housing search, as well as tips for finding a roommate, information for individuals with disabilities, and information for individuals with children.

As you begin your search, check out the Choosing a Place to Live page for things to consider as you begin looking at places to live, as well as information about Chicago neighborhoods and the various online resources available to aid in your search.

Review the Tips for Renters page for helpful information about leases, utilities, and renters insurance, along with a review of tenant rights and responsibilities.

UTILITIES

Utilities include basic services like electricity, natural gas, heat, and water. Additional utilities include internet, cable television, and telephones. Depending upon your housing arrangements, utilities may be included or not (for example, heat may be included in your rent or the building may be powered by gas or electricity which you pay for).

For students with contract apartments, utilities, such as gas, electricity, water, and trash service are set-up through the housing management and the fee is either included in the rent or has to be paid directly to the landlord.

However, most off-campus apartments require you set up your own utilities. Your landlord will guide you with respect to the companies that service the building. For the same, it is imperative that you ask your landlord about the following:

  • Which utilities are included in the rent and which are not? - Listings usually describe which utilities are included. Make sure that any utilities that are included in your rent are expressly noted as such on the lease agreement.

  • If not included, which utility companies has the landlords previously used? - Depending upon where you live, you may have only one or multiple service options. Check with your landlord or the companies you are interested in or ask other tenants in the building. Many providers are available for mobile (cellular) phone service.

  • Which utilities have existing accounts? - Landlords may have existing utility accounts and may provide you access to the accounts or renters will need to establish their own utility accounts.

For students who have to establish their own utility accounts, the most frequently used companies in Chicago are:

For students trying to establish their utility account with the companies listed above or with other companies, the process is made easier for those who have a Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not have an SSN, see details here.

Lastly, it is also important that you determine your budget for your utilities along with your rent. The University of Chicago provides a monthly budget spreadsheet template for you to budget effectively. The resource is available on page no. 28 of this housing resource. 

FURNIture

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to furnishing options for your apartment.

Storage: Neighbor is a platform that connects people who need a place to store their belongings with unused storage space. This allows users to find cheaper, more flexible, and more convenient storage options.

BANKING

One of the first necessities that the students need to look at is setting up their finances flow through a certain bank. There are various banks available in the Hyde Park area, most of them are located on the 53rd street.

  • Chase

  • Citibank FSB

  • Bank of America

  • Fifth Third Bank

  • Hyde Park Bank 

  • PNC Bank

Students can visit the branch and talk to a representative to select the kind of account they want for their funds. The process of finalizing and opening up an account usually takes about 2-5 days. If immediate appointments are available, students can even have their accounts set up within a day

Most banks offer student accounts for students under 25 years of age. These student accounts have waived or discounted fees for holding an account in the banks. Additionally, there are various coupons and promotional offers always running in the respective banks while you open an account. Eg: A referral from another student holding an account at chase can get you about ~$ 150 discount.

Documents required: 

  • Passport and supporting documentation (I-20, DS-2019, etc)

  • College offer/admission letter

 

GRADHElp ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Financial Aid Estimated Tax Information

https://financialaid.uchicago.edu/quarterly-estimated-tax-payments

The Graduate Administrative Services team is your one-stop-shop to ask any financial or administrative questions. Graduate students can reach out to us about university funding, administrative systems, tax obligations, financial wellness, or even how to set up direct deposit. We are here to help!

GRADHelp hosts programs throughout the academic year to help students navigate anything related to financials at the university, including how to:

  • practice financial wellness in graduate school

  • calculate quarterly estimated taxes

  • understand federal and state tax obligations as a domestic or international student

  • manage applications for US taxpayer IDs

In winter quarter, GRADHelp provides programs to help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and scholars file their tax returns, including asynchronous tax sessions (for domestic and international students, post-doctoral fellows, and scholars).

GRADHelp also connects students with the other offices that work with graduate students, including Student Support Services, Graduate Financial Aid, the Office of the Bursar, Shared Services, and divisional Deans of Students.

We field financial and administrative questions from graduate and professional students, postdoc fellows, and University staff. Got a question? Contact us at gradhelp@uchicago.edu

UChicagoGRad Resources

Fellowships: Schedule an appointment with a UChicagoGRAD advisor for help with identifying and applying for competitive fellowships to facilitate research, travel, and other scholarly opportunities, some of which are open to international students. Students can schedule a meeting with a fellowship advisor, search an online database of fellowship opportunities, and sign up for a periodic fellowship newsletter.

https://grad.uchicago.edu/fellowships/fellowship-advising/

International Student Advising: Schedule time with UChicagoGRAD (and IGSAB!) advisor Jo Cai who manages International Graduate Student Initiatives. Jo is happy to help you with acclimating to UChicago academically, navigating professional identity, and other topics unique to international students.

https://grad-uchicago-csm.symplicity.com/

Career Advising: You can also schedule an individual appointment with a UChicagoGRAD advisor for help with exploring career options and preparing application materials.

https://grad.uchicago.edu/career-development/grad-gargoyle/?tab-section=meetwithacareeradvisor

GRADUATE STUDENT SPACE

The Graduate Student Lounge is located on the fourth floor of the UChicago Bookstore building. This is a great space for graduate students across divisions to study, relax, and socialize with one another. Study rooms (individual or group) can also be reserved here.

Graduate Council Resources

Do you know that Graduate Council provides attorney office hours to eligible, full-time graduate and professional students in the University of Chicago? Graduate students are offered legal consultation pertaining to landlord/tenant issues including lease and sublease reviews. All eligible students can schedule an appointment online through GRAD Gargoyle. Please refer here for more information.

UCHICAGO ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Bursar has emergency financial assistance (grants and loans) programs for students.

https://bursar.uchicago.edu/emergency-assistance-programs/

Through Center for Identity and Inclusion, students can apply for need-based food vouchers and find out more about state and federal food security resources.

https://inclusion.uchicago.edu/studentsupport/food-security/

Student Ombuds Office

The Student Ombuds Office is a resource for all University of Chicago students to assist in the resolution of conflicts, concerns, and other problems that they may encounter through the course of University life.

Email https://ombudsperson.uchicago.edu/

MENTAL HEALTH

Access the Student Government Mental Health Toolkit for useful information on mental health resources for all students and different student groups. Learn who to reach out to during a mental health crisis.

You can also check out mental health resources on https://wellness.uchicago.edu/mental-health/

Office of International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides advising services and supportive programming to the international community at the University of Chicago. Please reach out to your OIA adviser via email or by telephone. If you do not know who your adviser is, please visit the OIA Staff Directory. 

UChicago ARTs pass program

YOUR UCID IS YOUR PASS to free & discounted admission at 70+ arts & culture organizations throughout Chicago.

Thanks to special partnerships with some of the best cultural institutions in Chicago, the ArtsPass program provides UChicago students with unique benefits and affordable access to a world of riveting performances, exhibitions, and more—all using your student ID.

For a few select events each quarter, ArtsPass Exclusives offer behind-the-scenes access with panel discussions or artist conversations, reduced admission, and often include receptions and free transportation.

Check out https://www.studentarts.uchicago.edu/artspass

TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES

Several Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses serve the University of Chicago campus (see map below). University students, faculty, and staff, and University of Chicago Medicine staff, ride CTA routes 171 and 172 free upon displaying a valid UChicago ID, University of Chicago Medicine ID, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools ID, or University of Chicago Charter School ID. All other routes require paying the appropriate CTA fare.

  • #171 U. of Chicago/Hyde Park: Services Lake Shore Drive/54th Street and the 55th-56th-57th Street Metra station. This route travels to campus on 55th Street and Ellis Avenue and then circles campus. This route operates weekdays from 7:15 a.m. to 6:20 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. After Summer Convocation, a reduced service schedule goes into effect.                             

  • #172 U. of Chicago/Kenwood: Services Lake Shore Drive/50th Street and the Hyde Park-53rd Street Metra station. This route travels to campus on Hyde Park Boulevard and Ellis Avenue and then circles around campus. This route operates weekdays from 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; weekends from 8:20 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. After Summer Convocation, a reduced service schedule goes into effect.                    

  • #192 U. of Chicago Hospitals Express: Provides express service to/from downtown to Harper Court, campus, and the medical center. Southbound service is from 6:00 a.m. to 9 a.m., northbound service is from 3:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Other bus routes that travel near campus:

  • #2 Hyde Park Express: operates only during rush periods Monday through Friday

  • #6 Jackson Park Express: must transfer to CTA #171 at the intersection of South Hyde Park Boulevard and 53rd Street; Operates daily; convenient transit to the Loop

  • #15 Jeffery Local: Operates daily from 5 a.m. – 1:18 a.m.

  • #28 Stony Island: must transfer to CTA #172 at the intersection of East Hyde Park Boulevard (51st Street) and Lake Park Avenue; Operates daily

  • #55 Garfield: if traveling on the Green or Red lines use this bus to get to/from campus; Operates daily

UChicago Shuttles

The University of Chicago provides free shuttles that travel on and around the greater campus area. These shuttles are part of the UGo shuttle program and include the daytime shuttles & NightRide shuttles. NightRide shuttles can be flagged down anywhere along their route rather than just at designated bus stops. A UCID is required to ride. More information about routes can be found on their website.

Downtown Campus Connector Route

A new UGo route provides service from points on campus and in Hyde Park to the Gleacher Center, UCMC downtown clinics, and the Roosevelt Station in South Loop. It runs Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Lyft Ride Smart at UChicago

Lyft Ride Smart at UChicago offers students 7 free rides per month (up to $10 off per ride) on rides within the service area during program hours (7 days a week; 5pm—4 am). To sign up, students need to opt-in to the program via the email invitation from Lyft. Once a student joins the program, their monthly free rides will be available in their Lyft app and will automatically apply to rides that meet the program eligibility criteria. NEW: The Garfield Green Line and Red Line CTA train stations have been added to the program’s geofence.

Metra discounts

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is subsidizing all trips on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines for the next two years. With this discount, the fare is half of the full fare for all riders. Additionally, a complimentary Metra 10-ride pass is offered to students annually. Sign-up for the pass is available via my.uchicago.edu. The pass provides service on Metra Electric, all zones. Students must have a Ventra account to request the pass.

Useful apps for transportation

  • Ventra: Download for access to information on CTA/Metra/public transport, more accurate real-time updates for buses and trains than Google Maps. Required to purchase digital tickets for all Metra routes.

  • Transloc: Download to find schedules/timings of UChicago/NightRide shuttles and a subset of CTA bus routes.