New Student Resources

Important Resources for New Incoming Students

Connecting with OIS

24/7 IT Help Desk

  • OIS does not issue your My Pitt account - you should receive an email from the Help Desk with log-in information once your My Pitt account has been issued.
  • If you are experiencing issues accessing your My Pitt account, contact the 24/7 IT Help Desk directly.

Health Insurance

  • The University of Pittsburgh requires that all international students maintain medical health insurance coverage while they attend Pitt.
  • Review OIS’ Health Insurance Requirements for F-1 and J-1 Students Fact Sheet to learn about:

    • Pitt-sponsored insurance through UPMC, and non-Pitt health insurance plans.
    • How students “attest” (or, verify) their insurance coverage to the University after they arrive in the United States.
  • U.S. insurance plans may not cover the period of time when you are traveling to the United States, so OIS strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance, or register for International SOS insurance, to defray the costs of unexpected medical emergencies before your long-term insurance coverage begins.

Housing

Immunization/Medical Record Information

Learn About English Proficiency

  • Information on the English Language Proficiency Test for incoming international students (graduate and undergraduate students), including:

    • Registration information
    • Information about exemptions
  • For questions about the Proficiency Test or ESL courses at Pitt, please contact the testing supervisor at pitttest@pitt.edu.

Travel Arrangements to the U.S.

Paying your Student Bill

  • In order to best assist international Pitt students, the Student Payment Center has created a PittPay Checklist to guide you in the payment process. Please review these steps carefully.
  • If you have any questions, please contact the Student Payment Center.

Cultural Adjustment

Drug and Alcohol Awareness

  • One cultural adjustment that incoming students encounter is drug and alcohol use in the United States. Watch this 6 minute video for an introduction to US laws related to drugs and alcohol, how to act responsibly, potential consequences and how to get help if you or someone you know has an addiction.
  • Pitt’s Student Health Services offers a variety of outreach programs to enhance personal and community health.

U.S. Banking

Title IX

Student Code of Conduct