With each day, we learn more about the coronavirus: causes of transmission, the best safety precautions, how to get tested, and more. We know a lot more about COVID-19 than we did one year ago. But the biggest question on students’ minds is: When can I get the vaccine for coronavirus and resume life on campus?
Universities take your health and safety very seriously, and that means aiming to have as much of the campus population vaccinated as possible. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get your vaccine in your home country, or you may have access if you are on campus now, or when you get to campus.
International students at all Shorelight universities are eligible to register for the vaccine. Reach out to your Shorelight advisor for details.
What Is My School’s Vaccine Plan and Availability?
For your convenience, here are links to each Shorelight university’s COVID information hub, their state’s public health departments, and current eligibility for international students in the school’s respective state. Additionally, COVID tests and vaccines may be available free of charge, varying by university.
Because guidelines and eligibility statuses can change, check with your Shorelight advisor or university staff to learn your school’s most up-to-date vaccination policies.
Adelphi University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Yes. Unvaccinated students must self-quarantine off campus for seven days after arrival in the United States and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result after their quarantine period and within 72 hours of move-in. Note that the cost of quarantine lodging is not part of program cost and students should plan accordingly.
American Collegiate DC
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Seven days of quarantine for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students
American Collegiate Los Angeles
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes. Students are expected to arrive fully vaccinated. If not possible, students can move in but must begin vaccination process upon arrival.
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Students who are not vaccinated (WHO-accepted) will need to quarantine for seven to 10 days and will be supported in obtaining the vaccine.
American University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Yes. Students are expected to arrive fully vaccinated. If not possible, students can move in, but must begin vaccination process upon arrival.
Auburn University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
Yes, all international students must quarantine for seven days, regardless of vaccination status
Auburn University at Montgomery
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
Yes, all international students must quarantine for seven days, regardless of vaccination status
Cleveland State University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes, for students who plan to live on campus
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Unvaccinated students must quarantine for 14 days and begin vaccination process
Florida International University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
To be determined
Vaccines Accepted
To be determined
Quarantine Required
Quarantine requirements have been lifted unless student has been in close contact with a confirmed case. Students must provide proof of negative COVID test taken within seven days prior to arrival in order to move into housing.
Gonzaga University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available on campus
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes, students must be fully vaccinated prior to move-in
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Yes
Louisiana State University
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No, but students who are unvaccinated will need a negative COVID test within five days of arrival
Vaccines Accepted
TBD
Quarantine Required
No quarantine required
University of Central Florida
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
No
University of Dayton
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
Students who are not vaccinated (FDA and WHO accepted) will need to quarantine for seven days
University of Illinois Chicago
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes, students must be fully vaccinated prior to classes starting
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Yes - Students can quarantine in their dorm room on campus in a designated quarantine building on campus
University of Kansas
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccines not required
Quarantine Required
No quarantine required
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
No quarantine required
University of Massachusetts Boston
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
No quarantine required. Partially vaccinated students can also attend class in person. Conditions for attending classes include receiving a dose of an FDA-approved vaccine prior to attending class and surveillance testing until fully vaccinated status is acquired. Please contact University Health Services prior to your arrival to make arrangements to receive a second dose.
University of Mississippi
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
Those who are not vaccinated must quarantine for seven days
University of the Pacific
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
Yes
Vaccines Accepted
WHO-approved
Quarantine Required
Students who are not vaccinated (WHO-accepted) will need to quarantine for seven days and will be supported in obtaining the vaccine.
University of South Carolina
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No. All students will need to provide negative COVID results collected within five to seven days or less prior to moving into the dorms. Students who are partially vaccinated will need to start over when they arrive in the US (no earlier than 28 days past their last shot).
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
No, quarantine requirements have been lifted. Students are encouraged to take WHO- or CDC-approved vaccines. Unvaccinated students will be required to follow a social distancing policy for seven days after arrival (unvaccinated students can participate in required activities and go out for food, but must remain masked and should isolate as much as possible other than the aforementioned activities).
University of Utah
University COVID News
State Public Health Site
Vaccines for International Students (16+)
Available now
Vaccine Required for Enrollment
No
Vaccines Accepted
Vaccination not required
Quarantine Required
No quarantine required
After a very challenging year, we are all excited about the potential to get back to campus, and the upcoming semester promises to be very rewarding. However, even with widespread vaccination, it is still important to adhere to COVID prevention protocols. Before you go, here is what you need to know about coming back to campus.
How Should I Prepare for Life on Campus?
Even after you receive the vaccine, you will be expected to follow your university’s safety protocols. This may mean — especially for the remainder of 2021 — wearing a mask, getting tested, and practicing social distancing. Universities will be maintaining safety guidelines to minimize transmission.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer guidelines across the United States, the department of public health (DPH) in each state in the USA creates their own vaccine rollout plan and guidelines.
For example, if you go to school at Adelphi University in New York, but your friend goes to the University of South Carolina, you may follow different protocols or have different guidelines regarding masks, how many people may gather indoors (such as in a classroom), and which types of businesses are open in your university’s town or region. Get in touch with your Shorelight advisor or go to your school’s COVID hub to get updates.
What Are the Steps for Getting My Vaccine?
Consult your school’s COVID hub to find out how to get your vaccine on campus or in the community. At community health care partners, the steps are generally:
Determine your eligibility — Log on to your campus or state Department of Public Health portal to confirm that you are eligible to be vaccinated. (In most states, you will be eligible now.)
Schedule an appointment — Vaccines are available directly on some campuses, or will be made available through local health clinics, pharmacy chains such as CVS or Walgreens, hospitals, or local health department sites. Visit your university’s COVID hub or the state’s department of public health site to see which options are available to you.
Get your vaccine and secure your documentation card — Show up to your appointment on time, follow stated safety precautions, monitor any side effects, and keep your vaccination card in a safe place. (You may need to share a copy with your university.)
Schedule your second appointment (if applicable) — Of the three leading vaccines currently being administered in the US, Pfizer and Moderna require two shots — an initial shot and a booster shot three to four weeks later. At your first appointment, the health care administrator will book you for your second shot, or tell you how to set up your next appointment.
The Importance of Getting Vaccinated
Universities encourage students and campus staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19, both for personal and community safety. We all want to put this pandemic behind us and the best path to that is being vaccinated.
The current Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have a 94 to 95% efficacy rate and are demonstrated to be safe at preventing or minimizing the transmission of the coronavirus. With upwards of 80% of the population expected to receive the vaccine, we can achieve “herd immunity.”
Voluntary and compliant vaccination means we can keep others safe and it means peace of mind to enjoy dance parties with friends, pick-up games on the quad, study groups in person, and — oh yes! — hugs.
See how Shorelight can help you transition to studying in the US >
