Welcome to Fort Collins and the CSU Community!
Colorado State University has welcomed international students and scholars for more than one hundred years. Currently, CSU is home to international students and scholars from over 100 countries. Many of our students and scholars bring their spouses and families to be a part of the Colorado State University community.
The Office of International Programs (OIP) understands that the success of our international students and scholars is often times dependent upon the happiness of their families. We try, along with other various departments on campus, to provide services and programs to assist our international spouses and families with their transition to life in the U.S.
Things to Know:
- Living Expenses may increase by 50% or more, since you will likely pay higher rent than single students, purchase additional bus passes, more food, pay for child care, etc. Explore Off Campus Life for family-housing options.
- Spouse Transitions are difficult because you will likely spend far more time on campus with your classes, homework, research and work than you will at home. This can leave a spouse feeling lonely and neglected. It is often a difficult transition for a spouse who has been working professionally since most dependents are not allowed to work in the U.S. Since you will be meeting new people in your classes, at your work, etc, it may be difficult to help your spouse feel connected.
- No Employment for F-2 Dependents: your F-2 dependents may not work nor apply for work permission under any circumstances. J-2 dependents may apply for work permission from the USCIS only if the income earned is to be used for support of the spouse or children, not for support of the J-1 student or scholar.
- F2 spouses may enroll in part-time classes, as long as they are not studying full-time or working towards a degree. This is a great way to get family members involved and engaged–consider language classes, cooking classes, or another topic of interest. Make sure to speak with an immigration advisor before your spouse enrolls in any coursework.
We welcome our international spouses and families into the community and offers a variety of programs and services to help meet the unique needs of international spouses and families. As you will discover, there are many resources available for international spouses and families in Fort Collins both on and off the CSU campus. Some of these resources are listed below.
SCHOOL & CHILD CARE INFORMATION:
Primary and Secondary School Enrollment
To enroll your children in Poudre School District, please obtain the following documents from your home country:
- An official birth certificate, a signed hospital certificate, or a passport as valid proof of your child’s birth date
- Official copies of the child’s school records
- All immunization records with names and dates of vaccines received.
They will provide recommendations for a school close to your residence, but you must enroll your child at the individual school site. School term: late August – early June. Children ages 6-18 years.
Day Care Centers (not all inclusive) Children 6 years and younger.
HEALTH INSURANCE
CSU does not offer a spouse or dependent health insurance plan. Spouses and domestic partners of CSU students may enroll in the CSU Health Network for a fee on a semester basis, or pay for medical services as they are administered by the CSU Health Network.
International Student Rates
International students belong to a separate group plan for their student health insurance. If you believe that you should be billed the international student rate for health insurance, but were instead billed for the domestic student rate, please meet with someone in the Office of International Programs to resolve this issue. Please note that charges from a previous semester cannot be modified.
Why are families excluded from CSU Health Insurance? CSU does not provide an insurance plan to spouses and dependents of graduate students. This policy was implemented because the cost of CSU insurance for spouse and dependents was significantly more than the cost of insurance on the open market. Spouses and children would find better prices for health insurance from other providers than they would through CSU.
CSU has historically had a very small pool of spouses and dependents enrolled in an insurance program — less than 1% of the insured student population. The insurance carrier was going to charge CSU spouses and children a high rate that CSU evaluated as unsustainable for families after comparing the costs to programs available on the open market.
Access the CSU Health Network website to explore health insurance options and to receive quotes. The Colorado Insurance Exchange will be implemented in accordance with federal health care reform and more options may be available.
HEALTHCARE
Spouses and domestic partners of CSU students may enroll in the CSU Health Network for a fee on a semester basis, or pay for medical services as they are administered by the CSU Health Network.