Find Out if You Can Get the Vaccine for Coronavirus at Your US University

COVID-19
campus life
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By Selene Angier
Last updated on August 27, 2021

What types of policies do US universities have in place for the coronavirus vaccine? Read on to see how Shorelight universities are preparing – and how international students can plan in advance.

A Black female international student wearing a face mask sits in an examining room and gets the coronavirus vaccine in her upper arm from a doctor

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

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

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

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:

  1. 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.)

  2. 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.

  3. 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.)

  4. 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