New Student Information Packet

2009

Compiled by, Leslie Dmello

Note: All the information provided in this document is based on our observation and some polls conducted in Indian student community along with the information obtained from various sources. References are sited where it is necessary. The purpose of this document is to provide some primary information to the new students from India, who are joining TTU in Fall-2009. ISA is not responsible for any sort of miscommunication or misrepresentation which resulted from extraction of the information from various sources. If you have any further queries dont hesitate to contact dmelloleslie@gmail.com.

CONTENTS
1. Presidents message 3 2. ISA committee . 4 3. Departmental contacts 5 4. Things to be brought. 6 5. Packing/Travel Information.11 6. What after landing? ....................................................................................14 7. Housing15 8. Health Insurance and Immunization.16 9. Finding on-campus job19 10. Establishing credit history in US.20

Presidents Message
Dear Friends, India Students Association would like to welcome you all to Texas Tech University and Lubbock. I, on behalf of the organization would like to welcome all the new students and take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful admission to Texas Tech University.

TTU is perceived as a very successful - a modern, dynamic, accessible, international and entrepreneurial University. Students take little time in making Lubbock their home. You could be surprised to know that about 400 Indian families reside here. ISA helps new students with a lot of basic necessities; it also strives to make your time at the University more fun. Our primary aim is to help the new students in settling comfortably in Lubbock; therefore we also take the responsibility of receiving students from the airport on their first arrival. We try our best to make this transition smooth and easy fro you. We provide clubs, sports groups and recreational activities. We also celebrate Independence Day and thus have our ties with India. Therefore, I encourage you to actively support and participate in the running of this organization. I look forward to meeting you all and wish you all the very best for your studies. Let the journey which you now start be enjoyable, challenging, successful and fulfilling. With best wishes Appachi Arunachalam President India Students Association

ISA committee Faculty Advisor:

Dr. S. Ramkumar s.ramkumar@ttu.edu

President:
Appachi Arunachalam(1-562-688-6268) appachi.arunachalam@ttu.edu

Vice President:
Harshad Mahadeshwar(1-408-594-5427) harshdna@gmail.com

Secretary:
Melwyn Rodrigues (1-806-392-7809) melwyn08@gmail.com

Treasurer:
Shiva Prasad (1-214-232-4099)

PRO:
Gaurav Walavalkar(1-806-790-8949) wgaurav@gmail.com

Activities Coordinator:
Nirvani Mujumdar (1-806-438-2866) nirvani9@gmail.com

Web Master:
Leslie DMello( 1-806-392-7809) dmelloleslie@gmail.com

Editor:
Keerthi Sahithi sahithi.ramam1004@gmail.com

Things to be brought
This list has been constructed according to the personal experiences of people who have come here. So, may be some important items are missing or are inadequately specified. Hence, personal discretion is highly recommended.

Apparels
Full Sleeve Shirts Half Sleeve Shirts Formal Trousers Blazer (Informal) / Suit (Formal) Suit Recommended. Tie T-shirts Jeans Shorts / Cargos / Bermudas Belts Traditional Sweater Pajamas / Night Suit Under Garments Towels Handkerchiefs Blanket (Light Weight) Single Bed Sheet Pillow Cover Double bed sheet Woolen Gloves 2-3 2 2 1 2 6-7 4 4 2 1 2 2-3 14-20 3 8-12 1 2 2-4 2 1 Get full size covers, the pillows are big in size. Recommended, cause beds are of different size. Leather & wool. You can buy them here for approx. $5, which I think everyone does. So it's ok to bring 1 pair of woolen gloves. MUST, and better if it works for cold as well as rain, cause here it rains and becomes cold. Not much snowfall. But it is very windy. Get one that covers your ears. Or better get a Jacket with a hood. Optional Recommended, summer here is really hot. Recommended! You can buy a rug here costing approx. $15 As u go to the laundry once in a week or 2 and they are expensive here. Highly Recommended Optional and if you wish to bring one, Navy blue / Black one is preferred.

Jacket Woolen Cap Thermal Underwear Caps

1 1 1 1-2 1 1-2 1 1 1 1 2 12

Footwear
Chappals / Sandals Slippers Formal Black Leather Shoes Casual Sport Shoes. Shoe Polish Shoe Polishing Brush Socks Black (for Formal Shoes) Socks White Floaters recommended for summer. Also you can bring traditional footwear, matching the traditional dress you bring.

Highly recommended, they are very very expensive here, and you have to wear the formal shoes for presentations / job-fairs etc. You may also buy here. Here they start from $20. But good ones are usually around $40 - $60 For Formal Shoes

Also cheaply Available here

Miscellaneous Items
Glasses / Contact Lenses Contact Lenses Solution Stitching Kit Alarm Clock Camera Walkman Recorded Music Cassettes/ Audio CDs/MP3 CDs Wallet (to hold Credit Cards also) Hangers 2-3 MUST. Optics very expensive here. 1 1 1 Check for yourself Recommended for fast repairs of cloths. You can buy electronic clock here starting from $5 Optional Optional, the electronic items are cheap here. Highly Recommended, cause you wont get Indian music here. Recommended, and you get many credit cards or other cards here. Dont bring. Cheaply available

Toiletries
Shaving Blades / Cartridges Razor Shaving Cream Shaving Brush After Shave Lotion Trimming Scissors Tooth Brush Tooth Paste Comb Hair Oil Nail Cutter Talcum Powder Shampoo Bathing Soap Washing Soap 12 Available here, but little expensive. 1-2 1 1-2 1 2-3 1 2 2 1 Don't forget this Optional Cheaply available, you can bring some 5-6 sachets to last for few days. Cheaply available, but recommended to bring if you use specific brand. Dont get it. Cheaply available Cheap here, but still have something with you, as you will be reluctant to spend immediately after coming here.

Cooking Utensils : Be sure that all vessels are Flat-Bottomed, because you have electric stoves here. Also the
vessels with copper bottom are recommended.
Pressure Cooker 3 Liters/5 liters. Spare Dead Weight Valves Spare Safety Valves Spare Gaskets Frying Pan (Non-Stick) Spoons Small Size Big Spoons / Spatula Steel Plates / Dishes Steel Glasses Pakkad / Tongs Kadhai Utensils / Patelis Microwavable Bowls 1 Bigger the better 2 3-4 2-3 1 Bring good quality such as Nirlep recommended 3-4 2 2 2 1 1 Big size 3 Medium / big Size 1-2 Small/ medium size

Tea Filter / Galane Tea Making Utensil Knife Cutting Board Cooking Book

2-3 1 - Dont at all bring these, you may have problems at airports !!! They are cheap here. 1 Optional/ cheaply available here. 1 Your mother's recipes highly recommended!

Cooking Groceries: Remember, All the items except the Masalas are recommended only if u have
luggage space.
Tea Powder Instant Coffee / Nescafe Turmeric Powder / Haldi /Manjal Mustard Seeds / Mouri / Mohari / Raee Red Chilly Powder Garam Masala Dhane Powder/Dhania Powder Jeera Powder/Cumin seeds powder Jeera Asofotida / Hing Sambar Masala Chhole Masala Pav Bhaji Masala Tur Dal Elaichi / Veldoda Clove / Lavang Papad Aachar / Pickles Tamarind Powder / Cocum / Tamarind Paste Sugar / Rice / Salt Rava / Suji / Poha 1-2 Kg 500 gm 500 gm 1 kg 1 kg 1 kg 500 gm 250 gm 2 5-6 packets Recommended, cause cholle available cheaply and cooked most frequently. 3-4 packets Recommended fast to cook good to eat 2 Kg 100 gm 100 gm Its a bit expensive here, so better to bring some stock from India Optional Optional May have problems at port of entry. even more if u come from North India If you drink a lot of tea. Cheaply available. (Folgers)

2-3 packets Optional 1 1 Kg 1 MUST - A Little Expensive here 2 1 1 1 1 1 23 If you bring, make sure that the packing is good, leak proof. Better to bring. Please Don't bring these at all. This is very helpful in beginning Steel Scale 6" Stapler Stapler Pins Punch Scientific Calculator Celo-tape Glue Stick / Glue Sketch Pen Note books / Papers / Files / Folders 1 1 Don't Forget these 2 Box Plz Dont Bring. 3 holes punch Reqd here. 1 Replace the batteries without fail!! 1 Optional 1 Recommended - Optional - Do not bring.

Stationery
School Bag Ball Point Pen Refils Bonded/Clutch Pencils Sharpner Eraser Pencil Clutch Pencil (0.5 mm) Lead Box (0.5 mm)

Medicines (must bring)

Vicks (Vaporub & Inhaler) Balm (Amrutanjan, etc) Iodex spray / Relispray Dettol Some Band-Aids (wash proof) Iodine

1 1

Burnol antiseptic Painkiller tabs like Combiflam, Brufen.

1 Important! 20- They don't go waste 30 Crocin , Amoxyciillin, Disprin .

1 For fast pain reliefDrugs and Antibiotics (for common fever & cold etc) 1 10 1 Optional B-Complex tablets Vaseline and cold cream

1 Highly recommended for winter.

And all the specialized medicines that you take. And, the things we missed.

Documents (Not limited to these)

Passport / Photocopies Admission Letter I-20 & VISA photocopies Credentials Transcripts If you plan to apply to other universities later Recommendation Letters If you plan to apply to other universities later GRE / TOEFL Score Sheets Medical Fitness Certificate Vaccination Certificate Medical Prescription of all medicines College Leaving Certificate International Driving Permit (I.D.P.) Receipts of travelers cheques Enough Money Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag. MMR, TB test. Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag. (Optional) MUST. Sooner or later, you will have to drive. It will help you rent cars and also practice on friends' cars before you get the US License One copy in each baggage Cash with some change, try to get some coins which you may require to call somebody after coming here 5-10 each Leave a copy in each bag. 5-10 Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag. Leave a copy in each bag.

o Type of clothes depends on the habits of an individual. As far as dressing code is concerned, there is none. Shorts and T-Shirts to the school are the ones popular here. No formal stuff.... its highly casual. Try to get cotton stuff as the climate here fluctuates as much as you can imagine, and also, cotton tends to withstand the extreme torture of machine washing and drying here quite well. o Whichever medicines you bring, get the prescription of everything from doctor. o You will get stationery items like pens free here. So dont bring many of those. o About the food items, contact your travel agent as well as airline and ask them what all is not allowed. This will save some space in your luggage, which you can utilize for some useful thing. o Books! Better contact your departmental contact provided on the ISA website for details about this. o Better take your mothers advice on cooking items. She is the best person to decide what all you will require. o Dont bring files from India, as the filing system is different here, with a three-hole punch. o Dont buy any electronic item from India like iron / tape-recorder etc, unless it is compatible with 110V, 60 Hz supply.

Packing/Traveling Tips
Start your packing well in advance, buy two good suitcases/baggage - they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling. They should be as large as possible within the size limitations (however most airlines are not very strict about baggage size). Buy another cabin baggage (a smaller suitcase) to carry couple of spare pairs of clothing, documents, audio player, camera, cassettes and any fragile items. This baggage is very frequently checked at the air port, so keep the keys in an accessible place like your waist pouch or back pack/college bag. Box specifications: 2 pieces of baggage with total linear dimension (l+b+h) not exceeding 270cm (106"). Moreover the total linear dimension of each piece should not be over 158 cms (62"). The weight of each bag should not exceed 32kg (70 lb). (As an example the Air India economy class baggage specifications to the USA are given below. Note the specs. may be different for other countries/airlines.) Carry on/Cabin baggage: You can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115 cms (45") onboard. For most other airlines the baggage specs are similar (confirm). The weight limit on this baggage is around 8-12 kg depending on the airlines. It is a good practice to check the weight of your baggage after fully packing. You can make adjustments in case they are overweight/underweight. This avoids having to unpack and remove items at the airport if they are overweight. Things to be kept in the boxes: Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage) Important applying materials (SOP, recos etc) necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's Tables a good dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion) Some stationery and related items suggested (not absolutely necessary - just for the first few weeks) are :

o Airmail covers
o o o Scissors for cutting work Screw driver Medical history files

Note that sharp and pointed objects like scissors/nail cutters/ knifes are to be kept in the big baggage and not in the hand/cabin baggage. Things to be kept in hand baggage: Original important documents (I-20, VISA, Degree Certificates, etc.)--- best if kept on person. o o o o o o o Enough money (little cash, traveler's check) Address book/phone book (Indian and US contacts) Any valuables (like calculator, alarm clocks etc) Things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced (toiletries, two sets of clothes etc.) A sweater Some medicines ( including for air-sickness), ISA committee contact numbers

o Copies of your photo (passport size)

o Novel/magazines/books for in-flight reading Things to be left at home:

o List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained

o o o One copy of all your important documents A copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel. Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable) A few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf.

o
o

Things to be kept on person o o o Some cash, coins (Get US Quarters for making phone calls after landing), traveler's checks and tickets Receipt given along with traveler's check in case you lose the TCs Shorter extract of contact addresses especially of people coming to pick you up

Some other things you might want to carry o o Novels(non-technical books/magazines, fiction, religious). 1 pair leather chappals, 2 hawai chappals, Soap (bath), toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc (slightly costly in the US - 1 or 2 bucks) .

Things to be done in the last week before the flight Call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane. (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change) Rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag. Bid bye to all concerned - tell your girlfriend/boyfriend you'll be back! Things for the flight Keep in mind that it gets cold up there. Keep your passport and other documents safe with you, never ever leave them around. Keep these in your carry-on.

o Novels for in-flight reading

o

o o o o

Also a sweater, it will get cold on the flight. All original documents Some medicines for fever, headache, cough, allergies or vomiting. Two or three changes of clothes. A towel and Toiletries.

Port of entry

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The port of entry is one of the major cities in which you set foot in the US. Just before you land in the port of entry you will be given a form to fill out in the flight, which will reflect your details, country of citizenship, visa status passport number, etc. Its called the I-94 form. This piece of document is the starting point for determining your lawful status in the US and is as important as your visa or passport. One of the entries in this from is your address of stay in the US. You can mail us in advance and we will provide you with our address. Once you land, you will be directed to move towards the Immigration check counters. You need to be ready with you passport, visa, filled I-94 form and your I-20. Answer to the officer in the counter politely. As per the new regulations, you will be required to give your finger prints. The officer will endorse the I-94 form with a designation D/S, which means duration of status and staple it to your passport. DON'T lose your I-94 form!!

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What After Landing?

The immediate things that are to be done after landing to ensure a smoother transition are enlisted below. Supplemental information is also provided in detailed with this packet.

o Call home on landing. Ask a student in your apartment how to call. First dial 011-91-(STD code of
your city)-(Number). e.g. for Mumbai dial 011 91 22 NUMBER.

o Go to Office of International Affairs (OIA) in International Cultural Center (ICC) and report the
corresponding Counselor about your arrival at TTU. The OIA telephone number is: 806-742-3667.

o Open a Checking and/or Savings account in the bank of your choice; American State Bank &
Wells Fargo are closet to campus. You can deposit the DD in your name and the travelers check there. Take someone with you to the bank for the first time.

o If you are not employed by any of the departments as yet, then register for On-campus jobs at
West Hall. Prepare a resume (format is included in this packet). Drop your resume in as many departments as possible in the campus and also in the Library. You must have a job offer letter by the concerned employer to apply for a social security number.

o Apply for the Social Security Number (SSN): You have to go to the Social Security
Administration Office. Ask someone with a car to help you. Otherwise you can apply for SSN during the orientation conducted by ICC, if u already has an on-campus job.

o Decide on housing and roommates as early as possible. Apartments information is enclosed in

this packet. In most cases it happens that people end up settling in the apartments where they were accommodated initially.

o Make sure you attend the Check-in and Orientation conducted by ICC. It is advised not to skip
this orientation to know about the life in US especially at TTU.

o Go to your respective department, meet with the graduate advisor. You need to go to the
department secretary to know the procedures new students need to follow. Ask the departmental contacts / seniors for more information.

o If you have not taken your immunization shots, make sure that you take them in the Student
Health Center in Thompson Hall. If you have already taken the shots, submit the records in Thompson Hall.

o Register as a member of ISA as soon as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any
student or ISA committee member. We hope you will enjoy your stay here.

o Remember all the buses are free for students (you need to show the student ID for out-of campus
buses). You can ride on-campus buses (i.e. Red Raider, Double T, West 4 th Street) without showing ID. If there are some things which are not addressed, feel free to ask the seniors you come across.

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Housing
Following is the listing of apartments which are famous in Indian student community. All the apartments listed are in walkable distance from the school (of course, there will be a frequent bus transport available on working days). Usually a two-bedroom apartment is shared by four people and one-bedroom apartment can accommodate two people. A decent life style results in approximately $400 expenses per month. The source for all the information provided below is Lubbock Apartment Associations website. ( http://lubbockapartments.com/Search_Directory/communities/default.asp ).

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Student Health Insurance

Did you know the leading cause of personal bankruptcy is unpaid medical bills not wasteful spending or careless investing? Good physical health is a necessity to enjoy life and to be productive at school and at the job. But unexpected, unplanned changes do occur in physical health that can have significant affects on your financial health. For example, an accident or illness could prevent you from continuing your studies at school or starting work at the job of your dreams, due to the high cost of obtaining appropriate medical services. Planning ahead and obtaining an affordable health insurance plan makes sense to avoid this dilemma. If you can pull out a bundle of cash to pay for unexpected medical expenses, then you probably don't need student health insurance. However, most of us do not have "deep pockets" and need the protection that a health insurance plan will provide. With this protection comes a sense of security and a feeling that you are maintaining your independence. Students at TTU are supported by Student Health Services for primary health needs. Comprehensive information is provided in this document. In addition to availing these services one needs to go for a mandatory health insurance plan. Recommendations were also made for choosing this plan.

Student Health Services Provided by TTU

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Services.html#health_services Student Health Services is a primary care clinic staffed with licensed physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, health educators, and support staff that provide care for illnesses and injuries, as well as mental health issues. Student Health Services is located in Thompson Hall at Drive of Champions and Flint Avenue on the north end of the campus. Services are available by appointment by calling (806) 743-2848. Appointment hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Students generally pay a medical services fee that entitles them to access clinic and pharmacy services. A valid Texas Tech ID is required to access the clinic services. More than 200 primary care appointments are available each day. Care is provided at Student Health Services in Thompson Hall and physicians do not make residence hall or house calls. A student who is unsure about a medical issue or problem may call (806) 743-2860 and speak confidentially to the triage nurse. If all appointments are filled for the day, the triage nurse will advise on care until the student can be seen. Students are not given excuses for missed classes or exams due to a clinic visit. Students experiencing a lengthy illness that may affect their academic performance may consult their Student Health Services physician about obtaining a letter explaining the situation. Student Health Services includes a primary health care clinic and several sub-specialty clinics. The nursing staff provides blood pressure and cholesterol checks, immunizations, and advice about self-care. Lab tests and x-rays ordered by Student Health Services providers and performed at Student Health are also covered by the medical service fee. Prevention services include lifestyle and weight management consultations; confidential/ anonymous HIV testing; and comprehensive alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, intervention, and education. Pharmacy services are also conveniently located in Thompson Hall and can be contacted at (806) 7432636. The pharmacy can fill most prescriptions, including those written by an outside physician or transferred from another pharmacy. Over-the-counter medications are available at reduced prices. Pharmacy purchases may be charged to major credit cards, TechExpress, and prescription insurance cards.

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The medical services fee does not cover after-hours care, hospital emergency room visits, hospitalization, and referrals to providers outside of Student Health Services. Students who are between semesters in the summer and want to continue to use Student Health Services may do so by paying a bridge fee. Please contact Student Health Services at (806) 743-2860 for more information and eligibility. Student Health Services is not a substitute for major medical insurance. Students should have their own insurance policies. Students who are thus covered should carry an insurance card in case they need medical care not covered by the medical services fee. Students who do not have insurance or who are not covered by a family policy may purchase student injury and sickness insurance through a plan endorsed by Texas Tech University. Contact Student Health Services at (806) 743-2860 for enrollment information. The university requires that all students born after December 31, 1956, provide proof of two MMR immunizations in their lifetime. The first immunization must have been received on or after the first birthday. The two immunizations must have been received at least 30 days apart. Students must meet this requirement by providing documentation of the immunization by the fifth week of the first semester of enrollment. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a hold being placed on the students records. Documentation may be mailed to Student Health Services, Medical Records, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock TX 79430 or faxed to (806) 743-2122. Include your social security number or ID number on all documentation. Students may obtain the immunization by appointment at Student Health Services in Thompson Hall. Questions regarding MMR status should be directed to Student Health Services at (806) 743-2860 ext. 276. The university also requires that non-U.S. residents from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis receive a Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis. This requirement is in accordance with recommendations from the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The tuberculosis screen test must be administered either by Student Health Services or a U.S. health care provider. The test will be at the students expense. Student Health Services can administer this test (approximate cost is $8). Required students should provide documentation of the test and results or receive the test at Student Health Services by the fifth week of the first semester of enrollment. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a hold being placed on the students records. Non-U.S. residents from the following countries are exempt from this requirement: American Region: Canada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Virgin Islands. European Region: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. Western Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand. Non-U.S. residents from any country not listed above are required to have a Mantoux skin test. In recent years, Hepatitis B vaccinations have been added to required childhood immunizations. Many young adults missed receiving this vaccination. Hepatitis B is a chronic infection of the liver transmitted through sex and/or contact with blood and/or body fluids. Students can obtain this immunization through Student Health Services. Contact information: (806) 743-2860, www.depts.ttu.edu/studenthealth SPECIAL ALERT: Mandatory Nonimmigrant Student Health Insurance http://www.iaff.ttu.edu/Home/OIA/StudentScholarServices/BBDefault.asp To promote non-immigrant student compliance with United States financial responsibility requirements, Texas Tech University (TTU) requires that all Nonimmigrant Texas Tech students have health insurance coverage as a condition of enrollment.

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1. 2.

3.

The premium for the Student Insurance Plan will be included with tuition and fees for all nonimmigrant Texas Tech students. The insurance premium will be waived for nonimmigrant students sponsored by the United States Government, a foreign government recognized by the United States of America, or certain international, government sponsored or non-governmental organizations. Such waivers will be based on the government or organization guaranteeing payment of all health care expenses including evacuation and repatriation. Documentation must be presented to the TTU Office of International Affairs prior to registration. The insurance premium will be waived for students who provide documented evidence of health insurance coverage, including evacuation and repatriation, by an employer. Nonimmigrant students employed by TTU and eligible for both employer-provided insurance and international student health insurance may select between the two, as long as the insurance selected includes evacuation and repatriation coverage. Such documentation must be presented to the TTU Office of International Affairs prior to registration.

Student Health Insurance with TTUHSC: Optional student health insurance is available for all students registered at Texas Tech University. For information contact Student Health Services, Thompson Hall, (806) 743-2830. We personally suggest to opt for an Insurance coverage provided by any US based company rather than obtaining it from India for the ease of processing claims and reliability. You can take this insurance once you landed in US.

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Finding on-campus job

If you dont have funding or any kind of financial support assured in I20, dont worry. There are many oncampus jobs for students which pays enough to support you for living expenses, tuition (generally RA/TA/GA will come with instate) and partying. A typical assistantship offers a monthly salary of $400 to $1500. You can find the job postings from the following sources, 1. Main Library and school libraries http://library.ttu.edu/hr/ 2. Halls (Graduate Hall Coordinator, Assistant Area Coordinator, Student Assistant, Resident Assistant, Carpenter/Wells Programming Assistant) http://www.housing.ttu.edu/Employment/emp.htm o Residence Units o Cafeterias o Center Stores 3. Recreational Sports http://www.depts.ttu.edu/recsports/admin/jobs.php 4. TIEHH (GA/TA Positions) http://www.tiehh.ttu.edu/Personnel/Job_Opportunities_GA_TA.asp 5. TTU Personnel Employment Office http://www.depts.ttu.edu/personnel/ 6. The Division of Student Affairs http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/vpsa/employ.asp 7. The Office of Student Financial Aid http://www.fina.ttu.edu/fai.asp 8. TTU Libraries Career, Scholarship, and Writing Resource Collection (CSWRC) (Employment in Lubbock, Texas and other states, National and International) http://library.ttu.edu/ul/cswrc/ 9. TTU Department Computer Labs (Monitor, Night Operator, Student IT Positions) 10. TTUHSC (Maintaining web pages, web design) 11. Other Resources: Your Department, seniors... 12. Summer Internships, Workshops, and Co-op programs, Jobs on ISA Website

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Establishing Credit History in US

What is credit history? Your credit history is the record of how you have paid borrowed and repaid debts. This information is obtained from one or more national credit bureaus. Your credit report may include information about your previous credit performance, current level of indebtedness, length of credit history, types of credit in use, pursuit of new credit, accounts in collection, defaults, bankruptcies, lien, judgments, charge-offs, and other applicable information. A creditworthy person is one who has a positive credit history and meets other requirements as determined by the lending institution. Why is credit history important? Having a good credit history will be a central part of making a successful personal and financial future for yourself in US. Your credit history can help open doors to you or keep them locked. People and businesses will use this record of how well you kept your previous payment agreements to judge whether they can risk making a similar agreement with you. Cell phone companies, landlords, lenders, insurers, even possible employers often make decisions about your future based on your credit history. It is a good idea to check your credit report frequently. Except under certain circumstances, there is a small charge for this service. The three primary credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Use caution when requesting a copy of your credit report. Never give personal information to someone unless you initiated the contact, on the telephone, by mail or on the web. What goes into credit history? Many factors are considered and put into a mathematical formula. These may include: o If you pay your bills and loans on time o How much money you owe o How long your accounts have been open o What types of credit you use o How often and how recently you have applied for credit o Collection notice and judgments (records of non-payments / disputed payments) Establishing Credit History:

o Open a bank account. Open a bank account and use it responsibly. This is the first step in
establishing a financial history. This will not appear on your credit report, but bank account numbers are often requested on credit applications. o Put the utilities in your name and pay the electric, gas, telephone and cable TV bills on time. o Apply for a credit card. To avoid being denied credit, apply only for those cards whose requirements you are likely to meet. Department store or gas credit cards are usually easier to obtain than a bank-issued card with a Visa or MasterCard logo because the balances do not generally revolve. o Before applying, make sure the creditor reports account activity to the credit bureaus. As the purpose of obtaining the card is to establish credit, you want to choose a card that will help you do that. If you want to get a Visa or MasterCard, ask at the bank or credit union at which you have your account. o A secured card is an option. If you have trouble qualifying for a credit card, you may opt to apply for a secured card. These cards have credit limits based on a required deposit made by you into a savings account. You use the card just as you would any other credit card. o DEPARTMENT AND GASOLINE CREDIT CARDS: Since gasoline credit cards are not revolving (cannot carry a balance forward month-to-month), often they are easier to obtain than

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regular credit cards. Similarly, some department stores offer revolving credit for a specific purchase and this is sometimes easier to establish. It is also a great way to establish credit. o CO-SIGN: One way is to piggy-back onto someone who already has a good credit history established and is willing to co-sign. If you are fortunate enough to know of such a person, you are not only well on your way to establishing credit, but you are very fortunate indeed. But be aware that any default of credit on your part affects the credit of the co-signer. People who care enough about you to co-sign, do not deserve a bad credit incident through no fault of their own. Once the co-signing has occurred, you simply make payments on or before the due date. In time you will have established a credit history. If you want to accelerate the issue, payoff the debt in full when the first bill arrives but not before. Completion of the full billing cycle is important for a "pays on time" report card to be established. This will not only make your creditor happy but your cosigner as well. The next step is to ask the co-signer to repeat his generosity (if necessary). Then: create a debt, wait until the first bill comes, pay it off in full. Keep repeating until you no longer need the co-signor. Credit history is now established. Tips for Keeping Good Credit

o o o

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Make Payments on Time - It sounds so simple, but life is hectic and things do slip our minds. Establish a routine for paying your bills and keep to it. Mail payments a week before they are due so they arrive on time. Those late fees can add up. Pay What You Owe - Of course it is best to pay the entire amount due each month, but at least pay more than the "Total Minimum Due." Never skip a payment. Do Not Overextend Yourself - Keep your "available balance" in mind. It is the difference between your credit limit and your balance due. Having an "available balance" means there is credit available in the event of an emergency and you can avoid incurring "Over Limit" charges. Before applying for a new credit card or loan examine your spending and work out a realistic budget. This will allow you to pay your bills and still live comfortably. Limit the Number of Credit Cards - Limit the number of credit cards you acquire to help limit your debt exposure and simplify your record keeping. Be aware that excessive credit inquiries over a short span of time may be interpreted as an indicator that you need more credit due to experiencing financial problems. Set your own credit limit and start to establish a savings fund for emergencies, Use credit wisely - Ask yourself the following questions before purchasing with credit: Is this something I really need, and do I need it now? Do I have the ability to repay? How long will it take me to repay? How much will it ultimately cost me? Be aware of the terms and costs when shopping for a student credit card. Review your statements carefully and immediately inform your credit card company, in writing, if you notice an error on a billing statement. Review your credit reports periodically and check for inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information. Dispute this information, in writing, with the credit bureaus. Be honest. If you can't pay your bills on time, contact the creditor and explain the situation. Creditors will often work with you to come up with an alternate payment arrangement. Always think ahead. Be proactive, not reactive, about your finances. Plan for different obligations now and after graduation. Be organized by filing your statements in a separate folder. Keep a list of your credit card account numbers and phone numbers in a safe place in case a card is lost or stolen. Report your card as lost or stolen as soon as you notice it's missing. Immediately inform your credit card company of an address change. Maintain a savings and checking account Establish your telephone bill under your name. Remember, you are responsible for additional people on your telephone bill. Develop a steady work record. Avoid opening joint accounts with a friend or significant other.

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Protect your account numbers, personal identification numbers (PIN's), and social security number. Do not let others use your cards and don't use your cards to pay for other people's purchases! Try not to graduate with credit card debt. If you do, make sure you will be able to afford that debt in addition to other new expenses (i.e. student loan payments, rent, utilities, etc.).

o Be sure to pay your student loans as agreed. This long history of paying your bills on time will also help you build a credit history and improve your credit score.

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