Institutional Requirements
Institutional Requirements
Post-Arrival Checklist
In addition to the resources on this page, please remember to review your post-arrival checklist to keep track of all the important assignments you must complete upon arrival.
Comet Card
The Comet Card is the official Campus ID card for all UT Dallas students, faculty, and staff. The card allows the use of campus facilities and services and offers optional campus accounts for on-campus purchases and payments.
Your Comet Card is issued upon your initial association with UT Dallas and must be retained throughout your affiliation with the University, even though you may not attend consecutive semesters. The card is automatically activated, or deactivated, based on your current status with the University.
Comet Cards are issued at the Comet Card Office. Learn more about how to get a Comet Card.
Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening
By now, you must have made an appointment to take your Tuberculosis (TB) screening. This screening must be completed before you can attend your classes.
Tuberculosis (TB) screening is required for all persons born outside the United States, regardless of the status of their application.
- Screening for TB must be administered, regardless of prior BCG vaccination, no more than six months prior to the first day of class.
- The only acceptable TB screening option for international students registering for classes is the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test (T-Spot).
- The T-Spot test must be administered and interpreted in the United States by a licensed medical provider.
- International students who do not complete a TB screening or who do not submit the appropriate documentation will not be allowed to register for classes.
- Please bring a picture ID: passport, driver’s license or state ID.
- Being granted the resident tuition rate does not exempt an international student from this requirement.
The T-Spot test is available on-campus through the Student Health Center for $110. This fee will be applied to your student account. You will pay the fee when you pay other charges you may owe the University after you register for classes. If you receive the T-Spot test prior to the semester for which you will be attending UT Dallas, you will be responsible for the charges the same day you receive your test.
If you have questions, please call the Student Health Center at 972-883-2747.
Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
Per Texas Senate Bill no. 62, beginning January 1, 2012, all entering Texas college students, under the age of 22, must receive a vaccination or booster (if the vaccination is five years old) against bacterial meningitis before enrollment. Acceptable forms of the vaccination include Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY), Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines (MCV) or Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (MPSV4). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) notes the vaccination with the MenB vaccine should not replace the vaccination with MENACWY. Therefore, it does not constitute as a replacement for the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) and does not fulfill the vaccination requirement.
Before you will be allowed to register in classes you must submit:
- A completed Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Requirement Form (PDF)
- Proof of immunization or the Affidavit for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience. Initiate your request to TDSHS well before your intended orientation date. It may take several weeks to receive your form during peak times. Only original copies of Affidavits are accepted.
For more information, consult the Vaccination Requirement – Bacterial Meningitis via the Registrar.
Health Insurance
All F and J international students are required to have approved health insurance while enrolled at UT Dallas. International students are automatically enrolled in UT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) each semester after registering for classes, and the fee is charged to their student account.
The Student Health Insurance Office issues waivers for international students who meet established eligibility criteria and prove they have comparable coverage that meets the UT System requirement. However, please note that it is not possible to waive health insurance altogether.
Because eligibility for UT SHIP is contingent upon class enrollment at UT Dallas, insurance cards cannot be sent until a student is officially registered, which is Census Day.
Please consult the resource webpage in case you need an interim coverage letter before you receive your insurance card, need to print or request an insurance card or accessing a digital insurance card.