PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION

• Passport:  Your valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay in the U.S.
• Visa:  Your U.S. student visa (an F-1 or J-1 visa) issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
• SEVIS Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1):  The Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status issued by your U.S. school or program. Keep this document in your carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage.
• SEVIS Fee Receipt:  Proof of payment for the SEVIS fee (Form I-901). You should carry both the receipt and the confirmation page from the SEVIS fee payment process.
• Admission Letter:  A copy of your official admission letter from the U.S. university or institution you will be attending.
• Financial Documents:  Documentation proving your ability to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses in the U.S. This may include bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial guarantee letters.
• Proof of Housing:  Having arranged housing in advance, carry documents related to your housing arrangements, such as a lease agreement or on-campus reservation.
• Health Records: Carry your immunization records, medical history, and any required health documents, especially if you have specific medical conditions.
• Additional Identification: It’s a good idea to have a few copies of your passport ID page, visa, and other important documents. Keep these copies separate from the originals.
• Medications: If you have prescription medications, bring a copy of your prescription and a note from your doctor explaining your medical condition and the need for these medications.  Ensure you have an ample quantity on hand while travelling, as there may be a significant wait before you can obtain a refill.

While you won’t be able to bring everything on this list, these items are highly recommended—if not essential—for your on-campus stay at Nicholls State University.  If you would like to call ahead to ask about these items specifically, please don’t hesitate to ask or email housing@nicholls.edu. 

The weather in southern Louisiana is often hot (25 to 32 Celsius degree) and humid, so you should bring appropriate clothes: shorts, T-shirts, and other lightweight clothing.  Also, be sure to bring a bathing suit to take advantage of outdoor swimming opportunities in the Louisiana/Florida area. 

Winters are usually very mild, but it can get cold at times. It does not snow in southern Louisiana. Rarely will the weather be colder than 10 degrees Celsius. However, be sure to bring a jacket, sweaters, and long pants for the winter months.  You will also find warm clothes helpful while attending classes at indoor campus locations.  While it is important to prepare in advance, you will also be able to obtain some clothing items in Thibodaux.

Make sure to bring enough money to cover the educational and living expenses of your first semester at Nicholls State University. You are required to pay tuition, fees, housing and food service charges in full upon beginning classes at Nicholls.  

You should also plan to carry with you a certain amount of money in the form of cash (U.S. dollars) and traveler’s checks. It is not a good idea to carry more than US$200 in cash. Traveler’s checks in dollars are considered safe. You and your family can judge how much spending money you should have available for travel and personal expenses. If you plan to stay in an off-campus apartment, you should bring approximately $1,500 for immediate apartment’s deposit, food and miscellaneous move-in expenses. Exchange of foreign currency to U.S. dollars should be done prior to arrival.

Our local Chase bank provides convenient service for our international students.  Our office will try to schedule a bank visit during international orientation to facilitate the opening of a local U.S. bank account.