Your Complete Guide to Studying at UK as an International Student
From your visa interview to your first grocery run - everything you need to know before you arrive, and everything you'll need once you land at Campus Court Lexington.
Before You Leave Home
Your international student document - a Form I-20 for F-1 students or a DS-2019 for J-1 exchange students - is issued by UK's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) after you complete the "New Student Information Checklist" through the iCAT portal (icat.uky.edu) using your LinkBlue credentials. Plan on this process starting roughly 48-72 hours after you receive your official UK admissions letter.
Documents to Track
| Document | What It's For |
|---|---|
| Form I-20 / DS-2019 | Issued by ISSS through iCAT; required to pay the SEVIS fee and apply for your visa |
| SEVIS I-901 fee receipt | Proof of payment, required before your visa interview or entry at a port of entry |
| Visa application & stamp | Scheduled at a U.S. embassy or consulate; keep a digital and printed copy |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements or a financial guarantee letter showing you can cover tuition and living costs |
The SEVIS I-901 fee is currently $350 for F-1 students and $220 for J-1 exchange visitors. This figure is federally set and does change periodically, so confirm the current amount directly at fmjfee.com before you pay - it's the only official payment site.
Arrange your housing before you fly. Having a confirmed U.S. address at Campus Court Lexington in hand makes the iCAT checklist and pre-arrival paperwork faster to complete, and it means you're not apartment-hunting jet-lagged during your first week.
What to Pack
Your academic documents and I-20/DS-2019, extra passport photos, a power adapter (U.S. outlets run 120V with Type A/B plugs), and weather-appropriate clothing for all four seasons - Lexington summers run hot and humid (upper 80s-90s°F) while winters are cool with occasional snow (20s-30s°F). If you take a prescription medication, bring enough for your first weeks along with the original prescription written in English.
Getting to Campus
Lexington's own airport, Blue Grass Airport (LEX), sits about 10 minutes from both UK's campus and Campus Court Lexington and is the most convenient final leg of your trip. LEX serves domestic flights only, so most international students connect through a larger U.S. gateway hub first - commonly Chicago, Atlanta, or the closer regional hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG), about 80 miles north - before a short connecting flight into LEX.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| LexTran Airport Express | Scheduled shuttle from LEX to the downtown Transit Center, weekdays 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., roughly $1 fare |
| Rideshare / taxi | Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services operate directly from LEX arrivals; check current pricing in-app before you land |
| Pre-booked shuttle or car service | Several private shuttle and car services serve LEX and can be booked ahead for a guaranteed pickup |
UK's ISSS office includes an airport pick-up request as part of the "Becoming a Wildcat" pre-arrival checklist for new international students - availability varies by term, so submit your request as soon as your travel is booked.
Once your flights are confirmed, reach out to the Campus Court Lexington leasing team at (502) 351-8622 to coordinate your move-in - especially helpful if you're arriving outside normal office hours.
Your First Weeks on Campus
As soon as you land, confirm your arrival with ISSS by logging into the iCAT portal and completing the "New Student Information Checklist," which asks you to upload your visa, SEVIS fee receipt, and other international student documents. This check-in is a federal requirement and must happen before you can register for classes.
International Student Orientation is separate from - and happens just before - UK's general Big Blue Nation Orientation (BBNO). It's held at International Student Services, 160 Patterson Drive (the lower-level side entrance of the Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library - look for the red pillars outside), and typically includes a campus tour, informal social events, and a dedicated orientation session covering international student regulations and campus resources.
Try to schedule any required immunization paperwork and health-related appointments during the same first week as your check-in and orientation - appointment slots at UK's University Health Service tend to fill up fast right before classes start.
Kentucky-required immunizations and UK's international health insurance requirements are handled through University Health Service. Confirm current requirements, auto-enrollment details, and any waiver deadlines directly with UHS - waiver windows are typically short and early in the semester.
Leasing at Campus Court Lexington Without U.S. Credit History
Not having a U.S. credit history doesn't rule out applying. Campus Court Lexington offers several qualification paths, open to any applicant who meets the criteria - a U.S. guarantor is just one option among a few:
Self-Qualify
Apply using your own income and credit history, if you have an established U.S. financial record.
Security Deposit
Pay a security deposit in place of a guarantor requirement. Contact the leasing office for current deposit amounts.
Guarantor Waiver Program
A third-party waiver service that can stand in for a traditional U.S. guarantor. Ask the leasing team whether you qualify.
Contact the Campus Court Lexington leasing office directly to walk through which path fits your situation and what documentation each one requires.
What's Included in Rent
| Included in Rent | Billed Separately |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Electric (billed via Simple Bills) |
| Trash | Renters insurance (required) |
| Water & sewer | Parking sticker ($100 one-time fee) |
Furnished floor plans are available, with the specific furniture pieces included varying by unit - a detail that matters more than usual if you're arriving with limited luggage. Ask the leasing team which pieces come with the floor plan you're considering.
UK partners with Flywire for international tuition payments (supporting methods like AliPay, TenPay, and international bank transfers) - but that service is for tuition, not rent. Ask the Campus Court Lexington leasing office directly which payment methods they accept for monthly rent from an international account.
Setting Up Life in the U.S.
An SSN is not legally required to open a U.S. bank account, and you'll generally only need one if you take on-campus employment. Two Lexington options with direct UK ties:
| Account & Access | What You'll Typically Need |
|---|---|
| PNC Bank | An official UK banking partner with on-campus ATMs and nearby branches; supports international student account setup with a passport and international student documents |
| UK Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) | The university's official credit union; visit in person with your passport and visa documents to ask about international student accounts |
| Phone plan | Prepaid SIM plans from major carriers typically don't require a credit check or SSN |
| LinkBlue & myUK | Your single sign-on for UK email, class registration, and campus systems - activate it as soon as you have it |
Your UK student ID card is often issued after your check-in appointment is complete, so finishing that step early unlocks a few other logistics at the same time. A driver's license isn't required to lease an apartment or attend classes - if you do want to drive, the international office can point you to the state DMV's current documentation rules for non-U.S. citizens.
Getting Around Without a Car
Campus Court Lexington sits directly on the Red UK Transportation Line, putting UK's campus within easy, car-free reach.
For trips beyond campus - grocery runs, the airport, or exploring downtown Lexington - rideshare and local taxi service are readily available, so going without a car for daily life is genuinely workable from this property.
Food, Groceries & Feeling at Home
Lexington has a genuinely diverse international grocery scene, and your Campus Court Lexington kitchen - furnished floor plans included - makes cooking a taste of home practical from day one.
| Category | Where to Look |
|---|---|
| East & Southeast Asian | Yu Yu Asian Supermarket (Waller Ave) and Seoul Supermarket (E New Circle Rd) both stock a wide range of Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Thai, and Chinese groceries |
| South Asian | Apna Bazar and a few smaller neighborhood markets carry South Asian staples and produce |
| Middle Eastern & Halal | Parisa International Supermarket and several dedicated halal markets around town carry halal meat, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern groceries |
| Everyday groceries | Kroger, Walmart, and Trader Joe's locations are all a short drive or rideshare away |
If you're craving campus dining, check with UK Dining directly on current international and allergen-aware options across the on-campus locations.
Community, Culture & Support
ISSS's role doesn't end at check-in - they continue to support you throughout your time at UK with status updates, address-change reporting (done through myUK), and ongoing international student advising for anything that comes up during your studies.
Finding Your Community
UK has more than 500 registered student organizations searchable through BBNvolved, including cultural and language-specific groups such as the Japanese Culture in Kentucky Society, the French, German, and Italian clubs, and the Society of International Studies. Orientation team leaders and the international office are both good starting points if you're looking for a group tied to your own country or region.
Culture shock is common and expected - it's not a sign you're doing something wrong. UK's International Student Orientation directly addresses this as a normal part of the transition, and the university's Counseling Center maintains resources specifically for international students, alongside general services like TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) that are available to every student on campus.
Money & Budgeting
Rent is only part of the monthly picture. Here's what else to plan for:
| Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Electric (Simple Bills) | Monthly, billed separately from rent |
| Renters insurance | Monthly or annual, required for all residents |
| Parking sticker | $100 one-time fee |
| Health insurance | Per semester, confirm current UK requirement and any waiver deadline |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | One-time, $350 (F-1) / $220 (J-1) |
| Guarantor Waiver Program fee, if used | Confirm current pricing with the leasing office |
Standard bank wires often carry hidden exchange-rate markups and intermediary fees on top of the advertised transfer fee. Before sending money from home for rent or living expenses, compare a standard wire against a service built for international transfers - the difference on a semester's worth of transfers can add up.
Quick Reference
International Student Services (ISSS)
160 Patterson Drive, Lower Level
Lexington, KY 40506
international.uky.edu/isss
Campus Court Lexington Leasing Office
935 Red Mile Rd
Lexington, KY 40504
(502) 351-8622
SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment
The only official payment site:
fmjfee.com
University Health Service
Immunization & health insurance requirements
ukhealthcare.uky.edu
Before You Fly
- I-20 / DS-2019 in hand
- SEVIS I-901 fee paid and receipt saved
- Visa stamp secured
- Housing confirmed at Campus Court Lexington
- Airport pick-up requested through ISSS
- Prescriptions packed with original documentation
Your First Two Weeks
- Completed the iCAT check-in
- Attended International Student Orientation
- Activated LinkBlue & myUK
- Booked immunization / health insurance paperwork
- Opened a bank account
- Found your Red UK Line stop
Ready to Call Campus Court Lexington Home?
Explore floor plans and start your application - the leasing team is happy to walk through qualification options and answer questions specific to your situation.
View Floor Plans Call (502) 351-8622