International Student Checklist

Accept your offer of admission by paying your new undergraduate student fee of $50! If you plan to live on campus in our Residence Halls, there is also a new undergraduate housing fee of $150.

International Students are also required to provide a $500 Emergency Fund Deposit. This money is held on reserve in the event that you need temporary funds to help with an emergency while in the United States.

• You will be sent a Financial Aid Award letter that details the direct costs billed by Coker University as well as an estimate for textbook costs that are paid directly to the book seller. The Financial Aid Award Letter will also include the amount of any financial aid and the balance the student owes.
• You must sign and return a copy of the Acknowledgement of Financial Responsibility form demonstrating that you agree to pay all charges not covered by financial aid and that you understand that costs are likely to increase each year. Take the original signed form to your visa interview.
• You must also complete and return a Financial Support Affidavit from each person (including yourself or your family) or agency providing financial assistance. The affidavit must indicate the amount of support to be provided and must prove that the necessary funds are available. Take the original signed form(s) to your visa interview.
• Both the Acknowledgement of Responsibility and Financial Support Affidavit(s) must be returned to Coker University before an I-20 will be issued. If these documents do not provide the necessary proof of ability to pay an I-20 cannot be issued.
• Financial certification documents should be returned to the International Admissions Counselor either by fax (+1-843-383-8056) or by email attachment.

After you receive your I-20, register with SEVIS (the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System). There is a one-time registration fee paid directly to the U.S. government through the SEVIS website. You can learn more about SEVIS at www.sevis.net.

After registering with SEVIS, apply for your student (F-1) visa. You will need your SEVIS payment receipt to do this. You may begin the application process at http://ceac.state.gov/genniv/.

After you’re admitted, you will be given access to Coker’s CobraStop program. CobraStop is your electronic gateway to almost everything you will need as a Coker student. As an admitted student, you will be able to:

• Review all financial aid that has been posted to your account

Please reference your acceptance letter to Coker for your login information.

If you need assistance logging into your account, please call our IT support line at 843.383.8323 (Monday-Friday 8:30am- 5:00pm).  IT will need to verify your information so that we can help you with any questions or issues you may have while trying to access your account.

Coker is a residential campus and provides residential facilities for the housing needs of our traditional full-time day students (<=23 years of age). On-campus housing is required. Students may apply to live off-campus if they meet one of the following requirements: 1) 22+ years old at the beginning of the housing contract term; 2) classified as a Senior by the Registrar, having complete 90+ hours at the beginning of the housing contract term; or 3) reside within 30 miles of the Hartsville campus with a parent, grandparent, spouse or legal guardian (documentation required).

All residential students must complete the Housing Application and Agreement.  The Housing Application and Agreement is where you can select your residence hall preference and initiate roommate requests.

Room and roommate assignments are sent to your Coker email at the end of June for everyone who has deposited and completed the housing agreement by June 15th.

You may like to check out these other links:

What to Bring to Campus
Roommate 101

Once your deposit is received, your Coker email account will be active. Our Information Technology Office will establish your personal Coker email address. All Coker students, faculty and staff have a Coker email address. Your email address is essential to be able to receive communication from Coker. If you are a residential student, you must use your Coker email address in order to receive your room assignment. Students can sign-in to their Coker University email account by visiting mail.orkexpo.net.

Please reference the Welcome Email from the Student Success Center emailed to your personal email address for your login information (email will go out near the end of March).

If you need assistance logging into your account, please call our IT support line at 843.383.8323 (Monday-Friday 8:30am- 5:00pm).  IT will need to verify your information so that we can help you with any questions or issues you may have while trying to access your account.

Have a smartphone? Be sure to download the Google Mail app so you can easily stay up to date on all things happening at Coker!

All new residential students must complete and submit the immunization status form.  This form can be accessed here.

Student-athletes should click here for the athletic department’s specific medical information required for participating in athletics.

Balances should be paid by Friday, July 14, 2023.

Students can view their bills by logging into CobraStop and clicking on Account Summary located within the “Student Finance” section, statements are not mailed.

You can also pay your bill online via CobraStop by clicking the Pay My Tuition link also in the “Student Finance” section.  Once you click that link you will be forwarded to our Touchnet payment system.  In this system, you can pay your bill or you can set up another individual as an Authorized User so they can access this site to pay your bill.

New students are also required to complete the Financial Student Responsibility and Contact Consent Form before attending check-in. You will find that form here (the form for the 2023-2024 academic year will be available soon).

Please direct any questions concerning your account statement to Student Accounts at student_accounts@orkexpo.net or by calling 843-383-8026.

Coker will help you with transportation from the airport to campus. You will receive information about this when you receive your I-20.

You will receive additional information about transportation by email from the International Student Advisor.

Bedding and toiletries are not provided by the Coker. Therefore you are urged to order necessities such as bedding and toiletries for delivery to Coker  in your name. The items will be held in the campus post office awaiting your arrival.

During the first few weeks of school you will have the opportunity to go to local stores (such as Walmart, pharmacies, etc.) for additional items you may need once you have arrived.

All new International Students will attend New International Student Orientation on TBA (date to be determined).

All new students are required to attend Cobra Quest: New Student Orientation. For more information, click here. (This link will be updated closer to move-in day with more specific details for Fall 2023)

All new students will be required to complete AlcoholEDU & Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates.  An email will go out from the Student Success Center with information on how to access the course in mid-July. The online course uses an engaging, thought approach to provide students with the tools needed to navigate the risks of life in college.

• Campus Communication: All students are provided with a Coker email account and a campus mailbox. Campus mail and email are considered official means of communication for the College and are the primary methods used by faculty and staff to disseminate information to our students. As a Coker student, it is your responsibility to check both your campus mailbox and student email account regularly. Failure to read college communications sent via campus mailbox or email does not absolve you from complying with the content of these communications.
• Career Center: Career Development resources are located in the Career Center to assist students with resume writing, graduate school selection, major selection, interest inventories, and many other services. For more information, click here
• Center for Diversity Interfaith and Inclusion Education: The mission of the Center for Diversity Interfaith and Inclusion Education is to create a more inclusive campus where everyone feels welcomed, safe and respected. In pursuit of a more inclusive campus we provide: Training (LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone) & a Diversity Leadership Retreat, etc.; Sponsor and Co-sponsor programming such as speakers and panels for diversity topics and designated holidays or monthly recognitions (i.e. Black History and Women’s History Month); Work with student organizations, faculty and staff to plan and collaborate on cultural trips (SC Pride Festival, Museum Visits, Historical Sites, and culturally relevant movie/discussion night). For more information, click here.
• Center for Health & Wellness: Operated in partnership with Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center and MUSC TeleHealth, the Center for Health & Wellness provides convenient access to healthcare professionals, prescription services, select over-the-counter medications, first aid, immunizations, labwork, and mental health counselors. For more information about the Center for Health & Wellness, please click here.
• The Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library–Information Technology Center (or, LITC for the in-crowd) offers a wide range of professional and academic services for students, faculty, and staff. We offer multiple computer and printing stations of the first floor; study rooms that can be checked out for up to three hours (first come, first serve); evening reference librarian services until 9pm every Monday and Thursday; book-a-librarian for one-on-one research help tailored to your needs; online chat assistance available from 8:30am-5pm Monday-Friday; special collections (including vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, and graphic novels); subscription-based scholarly databases that include free access to thousands of academic articles and eBooks; PASCAL Delivers (a free interlibrary delivery service that allows you to search and request books from participating colleges and universities in South Carolina); and much, much more! Find out about all of our available services and access our online catalog by clicking here.
• Dining Services: Coker College partners with Sodexo to provide food service for the campus community. Residential students are required to participate in one of two equally priced meal plan options: 21 meals/week with $125 in CobraCash or 14 meals/week with $250 CobraCash. Initial meal plan selections are made as a part of the Housing Agreement process. Changes to your meal plan may be made prior to drop/add. Commuter students may choose to participate in a competitively priced meal plan or pay cash at any location. To learn more about our dining options, click here.
• Personal Property Insurance: Coker is not responsible for loss or damage of students’ personal property; therefore, the College highly recommends students consider securing personal property insurance for their belongings. Coverage may be offered through your homeowner’s or an additional policy obtained through your insurance provider. Additionally, you may consider a policy issued from a third-party vendor, National Student Services, Inc. (www.NSSI.com)
• Rent a Fridge/Microwave: If you’re still trying to figure out plans for a mini fridge or microwave in your residence hall, consider a convenient and affordable rental option offered by your fellow Coker students on the Enactus team.  They do all of the hard work… you simply meet us at your residence hall room and plug in your mini fridge or microwave!  Request yours here.
• Student Rights & Responsibilities: The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) commits itself to providing a fair and engaging process for the resolution of alleged Code of Student Conduct violations. The OSRR aims to cultivate a safe and secure environment in which all students can succeed and grow as engaged community members. We promote responsibility and encourage honesty, integrity and respect among Coker students. Ultimately, we promote intentional education, behavioral standards and fair processes. For more information and to access the Coker University Student Handbook, click here.
• University Store: The University Store offers a variety of textbook purchasing options – new, used, rental and digital. The price comparison tool on our website allows you to compare our prices with the online marketplace and choose the purchase option that best meets your needs. We also sell school supplies, Coker apparel, school spirit items, gifts, souvenirs, and drinks/snacks. The campus store is located on the bottom floor of the Student Union Building. You may visit our website: www.bookstore.orkexpo.net. Follow the Coker Bookstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find out about events, sales, and other special offers.