International Student FAQs

University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, in the southeastern United States. Williamsburg is approximately 100 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky and 75 miles north of Knoxville, Tennessee.

It is preferred that you take either the TOEFL or IELTS test along with either the ACT or SAT if English is not your first language. If English is your first language or you have been educated for more than four years in English, the TOEFL or IELTS test is not required. For additional information, see admission requirements.

All international students are required to live on campus; however, University of the Cumberlands does not have one residence hall where all international students are assigned. We believe that it’s best for domestic and international students to be fully integrated into every aspect of campus life. Often International students are initially assigned a roommate from a similar culture, to assist with the transition to living in the US. International students are encouraged to seek every opportunity to meet students from the US and other countries. Once students have the opportunity to meet other students they may request changes to housing assignments, if desired. For more information on campus housing, visit Residence Life.

Medical Insurance

All international undergraduate students are required to have personal medical insurance that will cover them while they are in the United States. Students will automatically be charged for the university sponsored insurance as part of their university fees. Students may pre-enroll in the insurance program before arriving on campus. Cumberlands does not offer medical insurance for graduate students. Graduate students must obtain insurance through the provider of their choice.

Transcript Evaluations

The cost of a transcript evaluation varies depending on the detail involved in the evaluation. Most general evaluations cost $75 - $150, while course-by-course evaluations (required for students transferring from foreign colleges and universities) cost $150 - $250.

SEVIS and Visa Fees

Admitted international students are required to complete an I-901 Form and pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee in order to support the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States. For F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 students, this fee is $350. Additional fees will be required for spouses and dependent children.

A visa application fee is also required prior to a visa interview being granted. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply may provide more information about fees and fee payment.

Textbooks and Course Materials

Students are required to have the necessary textbooks and course materials for every class. These materials are available in the university bookstore. The cost of the textbooks and course materials will vary for each course.

Transportation

The university provides a free airport shuttle service through the Office of International Relations for the first arrival on campus. To utilize the free airport shuttle, students must complete the university Arrival Form Completed forms must be received at least 2 weeks prior to the anticipated date of arrival.

For all other travel, students should be prepared to cover their own transportation costs.

(See: What are other options for transportation, below.)

University of the Cumberlands enrolls students from 28 different countries. Many of our students come from Asia, Africa, Australia, England, and throughout Europe. 

University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky.  Williamsburg is centrally located between Lexington, Kentucky (2 hours from campus) and Knoxville, Tennessee (1½ hours from campus).  

Free transportation is provided to campus from the McGee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to the university’s airport shuttle schedule.  The university does not offer shuttle service to any other airports or on any dates or times listed on the airport shuttle schedule.

Greyhound Bus Lines has a small terminal in London, Kentucky, (½ hour from campus).

For other transportation needs, since Williamsburg is a small city there are no forms of public transportation provided within the city, the university recommends that students utilize the services of Venture Cab, Inc (1-888-526-1211).  This taxi company provides transportation services for students at a discounted rate for UC students.  Venture is fully licensed and insured.

*The cost for this service is the amount charged for up to 6 passengers going to the same location and may be shared among all passengers. Payment must be made in US Dollars or Travelers Checks. (Cost may be subject to change.  Contact Venture Cab for current rates.)

Venture Cab can also pick students up from the Greyhound Bus Terminal in London, Kentucky (Contact Venture Cab for cost) and from any of the following airport locations:

McGee-Tyson Airport, (TYS) – Knoxville, Tennessee 
Distance from campus: approx 1¼ hours *Cost: $110

Bluegrass Airport, (LEX) - Lexington, Kentucky 
Distance from Campus: approx 1¾ hours *Cost: $140

Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – Covington, Kentucky 
Distance from campus: approx 2½ hours *Cost: $265   (While this may seem expensive, it is much cheaper than the cost of airfare to Lexington or Knoxville, especially when shared with other students.)

Louisville International – Standiford Field (SDF) – Louisville, Kentucky 
Distance from Campus: approx 2½ hours *Cost: $265   (While this may seem expensive, it is much cheaper than the cost of airfare to Lexington or Knoxville, especially when shared with other students.)

To arrange for shuttle pick up, contact Venture Cab, Inc (1-888-526-1211) at least two weeks prior to arrival. Upon contact, indicate that you are a University of the Cumberlands student in order to receive the special university rates listed above.

Detailed flight arrangements should be given to the shuttle service including date and location of arrival, airline, flight number, and time of arrival.

Please note: It is best to re-confirm the shuttle arrangements once you arrive in the U.S., while you are awaiting your connecting flight to your final destination. This will be helpful in the event that the flight is delayed due to weather conditions or for any other reason. Once your shuttle is arranged, the shuttle service is committed to meet you at the airport regardless of any changes that may occur to your travel plans which are beyond your control.  If there are changes to your flight arrangements, please contact Venture Cab as soon as possible.

Also, if you will be participating on an athletic team, be sure to communicate with your coach before making your flight arrangements. Student athletes who will participate in fall sports are often required to arrive on campus for summer practice sessions a few weeks prior to the beginning of the school semester.

There are two additional options for transportation to and from campus. Greyhound Bus Line, Inc. has a terminal in London, Kentucky, (just 30 miles from campus), and travels throughout the US. If you are considering using this service, you should expect to pay additional charges for taxi service from most airports to the local bus station, as well as from the London, KY bus station to campus.

Venture Cab, Inc.is a local cab service that is endorsed by the university and offers discounted fares to university students. Up to 6 students can travel to the same location and share the cost. Many students use Venture Cab to assist with transportation to: 

• Nearby cities – for entertainment, dining and shopping opportunities 
• Greyhound Bus Line Terminal - London, KY.
• Bluegrass Airport (LEX) – Lexington, KY
• McGee Tyson Airport (TYS) – Knoxville, TN
• Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) – Covington, KY
• Louisville International Airport – Standiford Field (SDF) – Louisville, KY 

As a provision of their F-1 student visa, students are permitted to be employed in an on campus position of employment directly related to the university in which they are enrolled.  In extreme financial circumstances, USCIS approves off-campus employment.

• On-Campus Employment
  Students who hold an F-1 student visa may be eligible for on-campus employment. Employment is not guaranteed and is limited to the availability of a position.  Eligibility for employment must be verified by the Office of International Relations.  A student with an F-1 visa is legally eligible for employment on campus when:
  • The Office of International Relations has verified eligibility
  • the employment will not displace a U.S. resident
  • student is in good academic standing
  • student carries a full course of study
  • I-94, passport, and I-20 are valid

Once a student’s eligibility for employment has been verified by the Office of International Relations, the student will be given an employment authorization letter.  The employment authorization letter must be presented to the university’s Human Resources Office, where a student can then apply for any available employment positions.

Once a student receives an on-campus employment assignment, they will be given a letter from the Human Resources Office which must be presented to the Office of International Relations.  The Office of International Relations will then prepare a Letter of Employment Authorization which can be presented to the local US Social Security Administration, along with other necessary documents, as part of the application process for a Social Security Card.  See information below regarding applying for a Social Security Card.

*NOTE: Students who fail to carry a full course of study or who fail to maintain legal status with U.S. Immigration will lose all F-1 visa benefits. (Employment is a benefit.)

• Off-Campus Employment
  Off-Campus Employment may only be granted by U.S. Immigration, under extreme financial circumstances, and through the appropriate application process through the Student Exchange Visitor Information Service (SEVIS).  An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is only issued by U.S. Immigration. The approval takes months to receive. There is a charge by U.S. Immigration for this service. If denied, there is no appeal. The Office of International Relations will help to determine if students are eligible for off-campus employment, according to the SEVIS standards.
  
  Once a student is authorized by USICS for off-campus employment, they must present a letter verifying proposed employment from a prospective employer which must be presented to the Office of International Relations.  The Office of International Relations will then prepare a Letter of Employment Authorization which can be presented to the local US Social Security Administration, along with other necessary documents, as part of the application process for a Social Security Card.  See information below regarding applying for a Social Security Card.
  
  If you are granted a Social Security Number by going through the process for off-campus employment, you should never work off campus without current USCIS authorization. Even one day of work without authorization is a serious violation of U.S. law.

The United States Social Security Administration only processes applications for international students who have been verified as eligible for employment and have been offered a position of employment. The verification of eligibility and employment offer must be validated and submitted in writing as part of the application process. The Office of International Relations will assist all eligible students with the application process. For more information, click here.

A non U.S. citizen must present all of his or her BCIS documents to Driver Licensing personnel, such as Visa with I-94 Departure Card, Employment Authorization Card (I-688A or I688B or I-766) or I-94 with stamped picture. University students must also present an I-20 form completed by the university in which they are enrolled, along with a letter from the University’s Registrars Office verifying full-time enrollment and good academic standing.

Non U.S. citizens must also provide either a social security card, tax ID number or ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration. For more information, click here.