University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Health Insurance

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for International Students

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has more than 10,000+ international students hailing from more than 110 international countries. The university is famous as the second-largest international student population among public universities in the USA. International students get ample opportunities to hone their skills and grow to be a better person.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Entry Essentials

The minimum entry requirement includes:

• Visa Requirement: Students travelling to Illinois for pursuing higher studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign must have obtained a student visa. Those who are travelling with VWP, don’t require a visa and can stay in the country up to 90days. However, to travel with VWP, ESTA approval is required.
• Passport Requirement: All travellers must carry a valid passport with at least six months of validity. Without a valid passport, you are not authorised to enter the USA.
• Student Travel Insurance: Though, it is not a mandatory buy while travelling to Illinois or other states in the USA, you should consider buying a student travel insurance plan. Foreign universities do provide health insurance for every enrolled student. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is no exception. But if we consider the cost of availing health cover offered by the university, you’ll find student travel insurance less expensive, especially those who are travelling from India, due to the difference in the currency. Moreover, this policy comes with a comprehensive cover that includes non-medical risks as well. This point is usually missing in the university-own health cover. The most useful benefits offered by student travel insurance are
  • Emergency medical expenses, evacuation on medical grounds, repatriation of mortal remains
  • Loss of important documents such as a passport
  • Loss of checked-in baggage
  • Trip cancellation/curtailment
  • Bail bond
  • Compassionate visit
  • Flight delay/cancellation

If we consider the aforementioned benefits offered by student travel insurance, owning a policy before landing your host country sounds appealing.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Admission Requirements

The university welcomes foreign students and exchange visitors as well. Every year it receives thousands of applications from 50 foreign countries. Admissions are offered through a common application process for both the citizens of USA and foreign students by following a standard admission step either freshmen or transfer student.

Admission Requirements for students from India

• $75 application fee
• ICSE, CCE certificate, or 10th exam certificate
• ISC or Standard XII exam certificate
• A-Level certificate, if available
• ACT or SAT score
• O-Level/ IGCSE/ GCSE certificates (if available)
• TOEFL or IELTS score (for non-English speaking countries)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) results and/or Diploma (if available)

Complete the online application form with every required detail. After submitting the application you can check the status online. In case of any change, the same can be done through a Change Request Form available on the official website. After getting admission, you’ll have to ensure certain other things before you attend the university such as:

• Avail student visa
• Verify your enrolment
• Check-in before the regular classes start
• Get the university campus early

Top Things to Do when in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

When in Illinois never fail to discover the beauty of this midwestern state. This place has many things to offer to start from off the beaten tracks, mesmerising nature in the spring, discover one of the world’s great cities Chicago, the best fishing spot, witness the famous Ravinia Festival etc. there are eclectic restaurants and wine bars to swing your mood, Pay a visit to the ornate 1,517-acre Robert Allerton Park, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the list goes on. Here are top things to explore when in University of Illinois:

• Murphy's Pub
• Brothers Bar and Grill
• Altgeld Hall Tower
• Illini Union Rec Room
• Grainger Engineering Library
• Joe's Brewery
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
• Champaign Public Library
• Lincoln Hall
• Spurlock Museum
• West Side Park
• John's Catholic Newman Centre
• University of Illinois Ice Arena
• Krannert Art Museum

Shopping Attractions near University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Nothing makes your study trip or stay in Illinois better than exploring the local markets, looking for a shop that speaks your needs. Whether you’re hunting for a trendy dress, hard-to-find home decor or a stunning piece of necklace, you’ll find them all here. Spare some time from your busy schedule, take a day off and explore the markets and shopping places at Urbana-Champaign. Well, to make your hunt easier, here’re some options to pick from:

• Market at the Square
• Jane Addams Book Shop
• Market Place Shopping Centre
• Champaign Surplus
• Walnut Street Tea Company
• Antiques & More at Staley Road, Inc.
• Wind, Water & Light Gallery
• Heartland Gallery
• Fannie May Fine Chocolates
• International Galleries
• Parkland Art Gallery

Dining Options near University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Foodies will don’t miss a chance to satisfy their taste buds as this place is blessed with some of the sumptuous eating joints that serve delicious food. Due to its rich culinary, the city was recognised as the ‘Greatest Midwest Food Town’ in the year 2017. Many old buildings transformed to well-equipped restaurants have given it an urban-cool vide where many students hang out. The place is a mighty culinary contender that never fails to impress its visitors. Here’re some of the top restaurants within and outside the campus:

• Cravings
• Ambar India
• A-Ri-Rang
• Jerusalem Restaurant
• Sushi Ichiban
• Bombay Indian Grill
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Murphy's Pub
• Spoon House
• Seoul Taco
• Cocomero
• Fat Sandwich Company
• Zorba’s
• Noodles & Company

Hotels near University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Whether it's a hotel at an affordable rate near the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a 5-star hotel at Urban or a student-friendly accommodation, the nearby areas have the best accommodation to say for the students. Though the university offers on-campus accommodation, some students prefer to stay in privately-owned apartments. These apartments are well-equipped with necessary amenities, especially the self-cooking facility which is not available in university residence halls. Those who are visiting the campus for a shorter duration can opt for the hotel options available nearby. Some of the top-rated hotels to consider are:

• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Champaign
• Hilton Garden Inn Champaign
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Champaign
• Hyatt Place Hotel Champaign
• Econo Lodge University Area Urbana
• Comfort Suites Urbana
• Ramada Limited Hotel
• Rodeway Inn

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Transport Facility for Students

The University of Illinois is blessed with an exceptional public transport network that helps the students commute to the campus without a hassle. With Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District you can avail 10 minutes service frequency throughout the academic year. Curb-to-curb paratransit rides are available on campus through Disability Resources and Educational Services. Illinois Terminal, which is just one mile away from the campus, provides three Amtrak trains daily and intercity buses to commute from Chicago and Carbondale. The university has a tie-up with Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District to provide free bus services for students, faculty and staff. MTD also offers a bike-racks facility with no extra charge. University of Illinois Willard Airport offers convenient flights to three destinations: Chicago, Detroit, and Dallas/Ft. Worth, with regional jet service to Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Local Law and Etiquettes to be followed in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Drinking Age: The University by following the federal law, strictly prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to the person under the age of 21 years. No one is allowed to serve with alcohol below the age bar.
• Smoking Age: The University of Illinois is a smoking-free campus. Smoking is strictly prohibited in both indoors and outdoors, in university-owned vehicles, private vehicles.

If the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is in your study-abroad bucket list or if you are planning to visit the USA for study, this information will help you get acquainted with the university culture and local law and etiquettes of the state.