FAQ's: International Students
Q. Is the Department of Environmental Toxicology located on the main Texas Tech University campus?
A. No; the Department of Environmental Toxicology is located about 20 minutes from the main Texas Tech University campus. Our department’s address is 1207 S. Gilbert Dr., Lubbock, TX 79416.
Q. Is there public transportation to the Department of Environmental Toxicology?
A. No; there is no public transportation, but help among fellow students can be requested until you have your own transportation. Our department is located at 1207 S. Gilbert Dr., Lubbock, TX 79416.
Q. Is the application fee different for international students?
A. No; the application fee is $65 for international and domestic students. Please visit the Graduate School website at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/howtoapply.php to apply to our program and for more information.
Q. If I have been studying in the U.S. for 2 years, do I still need to take the TOEFL exam?
A. Applicants who have completed at least two consecutive years at a college or university in the U.S. or in an English proficiency-exempt country are also exempted from the English proficiency requirements. Please visit the International Affairs website for the list of countries that are exempt from the English Proficiency requirement.
Q. If accepted into the program, when will I receive my I-20?
A.. Once you are accepted into our graduate program you will receive a formal letter of acceptance from the Graduate School, followed by a formal letter of acceptance from our department.
If you are offered funding by our department, the Graduate School will request you to complete the Supplemental International Student Information Form and choose your shipping preference. The fastest way to ship your I-20 is through eShipGlobal. It could take 3 months to get your I-20 shipping through regular mail. Please be aware that it may take you a while to get a VISA appointment, and you cannot make a VISA appointment until you receive your I-20.
If you do not receive funding from our department, the Graduate School will contact you to request verification (usually in the form of a bank statement) that you are able and willing to fund your education in the United States. Please contact the Graduate School for more information regarding your I-20.
If you do not receive funding from our department, the Graduate School will ask for Proof of Financial Support. The Graduate School will request a specific amount. All financial statements must be in U.S. dollars and must be no more than six months old. You must also include an Affidavit of Support if the financial support will come from someone other than yourself. The amount of expenses listed on your I-20 includes the tuition and fees for 18 hours (9 hours per long semester), the living expenses for one year, as well as the mandatory medical insurance. You also must complete the Supplemental International Student Information Form and choose your shipping preference.
Q. What type of funding can I expect as a foreign student?
A. Funding for international students is the same as it is for domestic students. Acceptance into our graduate program does not guarantee that a student will receive a stipend. Stipends are either provided by the department or through the research grants of faculty. Stipends are competitive and limited. New students will be considered for stipends based on a holistic review of their application file. Additionally, other funding is available through faculty research grants. A typical stipend is $16,200 for a MS student and $17,400 for a PhD student. Students who receive funding will be given a Research Assistantship position.
Q. What is the cost of living in Lubbock?
A. According to the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), Lubbock ranked 93rd out of 294 urban areas in the nation and 16th out of 32 urban areas in Texas for lowest cost of living.
Q. What other benefits am I eligible for as an international graduate student?
A. You will receive the same benefits as domestic students. You will be eligible to receive in-state tuition, fee waivers, and health insurance.
Q. How much do international graduate students pay for health insurance?
A. International students are required to purchase their own health insurance. The total for insurance will be about $1,100 for Fall and $1,500 for Spring.
Q. Will my spouse be eligible to work in the US? If so, how many hours can they work?
A. Work eligibility depends on the type of visa that the spouse/domestic partner has, but generally the spouse is eligible to work up to 40 hours per week.
Q. When should international students arrive at Texas Tech University?
A. International students should arrive no less than 2 weeks before the first day of classes.
Q. Do I need to schedule any appointments at Texas Tech University prior to arrival?
A. Yes; international students should make appointments ahead a time with the International Affairs office as appointment times fill up quickly. Your International Student Counselor will tell you which paperwork that they will need from you. Students who have not received a Social Security Number (SSN) will need to show their SSN Letter to the International Student Counselor. The SSN Letter is provided by our department.
Q. Do I need to take paperwork with me to the International Cultural Center?
A. Yes; international students who do not have a SSN will receive from our department a SSN Letter signed by the Department of Environmental Toxicology Chair. Your International Student Counselor will sign the SSN letter for your International Student Counselor to sign. Please ask your International Student Counselor the paperwork that they need for you to take as well.
Q. Where do international students go to receive their Social Security Number?
A. International students should take their SSN Letter to the Social Security Administration office to receive a SSN. The Social Security Administration office is located at 5826 16th Street, Lubbock, TX 79416. Students need a Social Security Number before they are eligible to receive paychecks.
Q. What paperwork does the Department of Environmental Toxicology need from international students?
A. The Department of Environmental Toxicology needs an international student’s passport, I-94, and I-20 upon arrival.
Please visit the Office of International Affairs’ website for more detailed information based on a specific type of visa, Pre-Arrival Guide, Post-Arrival Checklist, or for any other questions.