Scholar Check-In Overview

Scholar check in is held by appointment either online or on the 4th floor of the Memorial Union (2229 Lincoln Way). All international scholars or employees coming to ISU for any length of time are required to check in with ISSO. 

ISSO offers separate Scholar Check-in Sessions for unpaid and paid scholars. Paid scholars are only those employees who will be paid on the Iowa State University payroll. Scholars receiving a stipend or per diem should attend an unpaid session.  Scholar Check-in Sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings and last for approximately one hour. Unless otherwise noted, check-ins are held IN PERSON on Mondays and Fridays, and REMOTELY on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please add a request in the COMMENT BOX if you would like a remote session on a Monday or Friday.

During the check-in session our office will collect your address information, scan or upload your immigration documents, and provide the information necessary to obtain your ISU card, enroll in SSHIP health insurance, set up your ISU email, and get a Social Security number, if applicable. You will receive a map of the ISU campus along with information regarding Ames businesses, transportation, recreation services,  and events on campus and in Ames.

Registration

Registration for both Paid and Unpaid Scholar Check-in Sessions is completed online through our sigunupgenius.com site. Unpaid scholars register for a session here.  Paid scholars register here. 

Documents and Information

Scholars should bring the following documents and information with them to their in-person check-in session, or have scans available for upload in the case of remote sessions (PDF or JPEG format):

  • Passport
  • I-20 and EAD for F-1 OPT status
  • I-797 Approval Notice(s) for TN, O-1 or E-3 status
  • I-94 Record (obtain here)
  • If your dependents arrived with you please bring their passports, I-94 records and DS-2019 forms
  • Local, home address in Ames (or temporary address in Ames if you have not yet secured housing)
  • Name and contact information for a person ISSO would contact should you have a personal emergency