Admitted Students Pre-Departure FAQs

Email is our main form of communication for all pre-departure requirements. Please read every message from globalowls@rice.edu carefully and pay close attention to the deadlines listed.

You will need to complete several items before departure (deadlines are communicated via email):

• Passport & Visa Upload: Submit a scan of your valid passport and visa (if applicable).
• Participation Forms & Releases: Sent via Adobe Sign (from Irene Mendez), including participation form, behavior expectations, medical release, and student contact information.
• Course Registration Fee & Enrollment: You must pay the $300 registration fee before you’re invited to register. You will not be able to register until this fee is paid. This fee is non-refundable but applied to tuition. All students must register before the end of the spring semester—see your email for instructions.
• Travel-Specific Forms: Sent via Adobe Sign, including your International SOS registration screenshot, Rice Travel Registry confirmation, and arrival/departure details.
  You must also submit Supplier Registration documents to the Controller’s Office to receive your Travel Award. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your award.
• Metro Card Photo & Canvas Course: Submit your Metro Card photo and upload your certificate of completion for the Critical Reflections for Meaningful Travel Canvas course.

Keep track of your email deadlines—completing these items on time is required to participate in the program.

Yes. There will be a Zoom information session prior to the end of the Spring Semester. Please keep an eye out on email communication about this.

Yes. We have a RGP Travel Guide with very detailed information. You will be invited to this guide via CANVA via email.

If your admission letter stated that you’re eligible for financial aid, you must take action to receive it.

To have your aid applied to your tuition, you must complete and submit the Summer Financial Aid Request Form available here:
👉https://financialaid.rice.edu/summer-students

On the form:

• List your aid as “Need-Based Aid” under the Rice Summer Grant section.
• Select the option “Other faculty-led overseas programs for Rice credit.”
• Choose “Summer Paris” as your program (e.g., Summer Paris 1, Summer Paris 2, etc.).

If you have questions about your aid or the form, contact the Financial Aid Office and ask for Blake Dalina, who handle Rice Global programs.
📧 fina@rice.edu | ☎ 713-348-4958
Walk-in Hours: Mon–Thurs, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (CT)

Financial Aid and Rice Global Tuition Awards are not applied until the first day of your program (first day of class). This is a system-wide university policy, and the Financial Aid Office cannot release funds earlier, even if your tuition already appears in your account.

• On the first day of your class, your aid will officially disburse (apply) to your student account.
• Before that date, your account may show a balance — this is normal and not a cause for concern.
• Your financial aid or tuition award will appear as an “authorized aid balance” (a temporary negative number) until it posts.

No late fees are charged during the summer.
Although the Bursar’s website lists due dates based on registration timing, summer students are not penalized for unpaid balances prior to the aid disbursement date.

For official billing due dates by session, visit the Bursar’s site:
👉https://bursar.rice.edu/student-accounts/general-billing-information/billing-due-dates

If you received a Rice Global Travel Award (also called a Global Need-Based Travel Grant), the amount was listed in your award letter.

• This award is paid directly to you, not applied to tuition.
• To receive it, you must:
  • Sign your Participation Form (sent via Adobe Sign), and
  • Be set up as a supplier/vendor in iO so Rice can deposit the funds.

Instructions for the supplier registration process will be sent to you by email before departure.
Failure to complete these steps by the deadline will result in forfeiting your award.

Book after you receive your official course confirmation and pre-departure guidance. Flying into CDG (Charles de Gaulle) is most common; ORY (Orly) is also an option. Plan to arrive on your designated MOVE IN DATE! We are not able to accommodate any move in before or after your set move in date. This date will be communicated to you in your pre-departure email communication.

You must arrive and depart according to the designated move-in and move-out dates for your session. These dates will be provided to you directly. You cannot move into or out of the student residence outside those dates.

If you are flying from the U.S., remember that most flights to Paris are overnight—you’ll depart the U.S. one day and arrive in Paris the next. Plan your ticket accordingly so that your arrival in Paris matches your assigned move-in date.

For departure, plan to leave Paris on your move-out date.

You may choose to arrive earlier or stay longer, but you’ll need to arrange and pay for your own housing for any days before move-in or after move-out.

You’ll need to apply for a U.S. passport as soon as possible. Visit travel.state.gov for instructions on how to apply or renew your passport and how to request expedited processing.

We strongly recommend choosing the expedited option, as standard passport processing can take 11 weeks or longer.

Please note that Rice Global does not cover the cost of obtaining or renewing your passport.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date from Paris (or any international destination). Many countries — including France — will not allow entry if your passport expires sooner.

If your passport will expire within that window, you should renew it immediately to avoid delays or complications with your travel, visa, or program participation.

Because passport processing can take 11+ weeks (or about 7 weeks if expedited), we strongly recommend submitting your renewal at least 3–4 months before your departure.

You can find detailed renewal instructions at travel.state.gov

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short-term study in France (under 90 days), which includes the Rice Global Summer Program. You only need a valid passport for entry.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality. You should check the French consulate website for your country of citizenship to confirm whether you need a visa to enter France.

Apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa — not a long-term student visa. This visa covers short academic programs like Rice Global’s summer session.

Start your visa process as soon as you receive your program acceptance letter.
Appointments at TLScontact centers can fill up quickly—especially between March and June—so plan ahead:

• Begin your France-Visas application at least 8–10 weeks before departure.
• Once your application is complete, book your TLScontact appointment right away.
• Standard processing takes about 5–10 business days, but allow extra time in case of delays.

1. Complete your application on France-Visas
2. Create an account on TLScontact using your France-Visas application number.
3. Book an appointment at your nearest TLScontact center (locations include Houston, New York, Chicago, and others).
4. Attend your appointment with your documents and biometric data.

You’ll need to bring:

• A valid passport (issued within 10 years, valid ≥ 3 months beyond your return date, with 2 blank pages)
• Printed visa application form and passport photo
• Proof of flights and program dates
• Proof of accommodation (Rice Global Paris student residence)
• Proof of financial means (recent 3–6 month bank statements or scholarship award)
• Proof of travel insurance covering the full stay (ISOS certificate from Rice)
• Visa support letter from Rice Global Paris (includes enrollment, housing, invitation, and program details)

Host Organization: Rice Global Paris Center

• Residence: 30 rue Martin Bernard, 75013 Paris, France
• Center Address: 5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France
• Contact Person: Garry White, Administrative Director
  • Phone: +33 6 12 47 84 12 (from U.S.) | 06 12 47 84 12 (in France)
  • Email: gwhite@rice.edu

• The French Schengen visa application fee is normally €90 (about $98 USD).
• Rice Global students are typically exempt from this visa fee because the purpose of travel is considered an academic group program.
• You will still need to pay:
  • A TLScontact service fee of approximately $30–40 USD, and
  • A courier fee of around $38 USD for passport return.
• These fees are paid directly to TLScontact when you schedule or attend your appointment.
• Please note: Rice Global Paris does not have funds to cover or reimburse any visa, appointment, or courier fees. Students are responsible for all visa-related expenses.

• Book your appointment early — visa slots fill up fast.
• Bring printed copies of all your documents to your appointment.
• Keep copies of all materials (including your visa support letter) when traveling.

For any visa-related questions or to request a visa support letter, email globalowls@rice.edu

Students are housed in five private student residences located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, about a 30-minute commute to the Rice Global Paris Center.

Each student will have their own unit in one of these residences. Rooms are randomly assigned.

Please note that rooms vary in size and layout due to space limitations in Paris. Assignments cannot be changed, so please notify us before departure if you require specific accommodations.

Each unit includes:

• Private bathroom with shower
• Kitchen area with basic plates and utensils (you can cook your own meals!)
• Table or desk with a chair
• Bed with linens and pillow
• High-speed internet access

Residences also have shared washers and dryers available for use.

⚠️ Air conditioning is not standard in French housing. Fans are provided, and a few top-floor units may have portable cooling units.

For more details, review the RGP Travel Guide and Detailed Program Information Form provided via email.

Residence addresses:

• 30 Rue Martin Bernard, 75013 Paris
• 6 Rue du Docteur Lucas Championnière, 75013 Paris
• 5 Rue de la Colonie, 75013 Paris
• 10 Villa Daviel, 75013 Paris
• 27 Villa Daviel, 75013 Paris

• BRING comfortable walking shoes. The best way to get around Paris is on foot and by metro.
• BRING a rain jacket or umbrella.
• Pack half of what you think you need. Remember that there is a washer and dryer in the residences. Also, keep in mind you will bring souvenirs back with you and will need additional room in your luggage.
• Check the weather forecast prior to your session. May temperatures are very different from temperatures during July!
• Pack one “nicer” outfit for special occasions.
• You will need an outlet adapter. The best type of electrical outlet adapter to buy for use in Paris and elsewhere in France is Type E, because it accommodates both grounded and ungrounded devices.
• Any prescription medication needed for the entirety of your trip.

Check out the CDC Recommendations.

1. Groceries & Meals: Nearby grocery stores and bakeries are within walking distance. Students can cook in their residence kitchens or eat at cafés nearby.
2. Transportation: The 13th arrondissement is connected by several Metro lines (e.g., Line 6 & 7). You’ll receive your Metro Card upon arrival.
3. Money & Banking: Most places accept credit cards, but keep a small amount of euros for markets or cafés.

Find helpful tips in our Canvas Travel Guide here:

https://canvas.rice.edu/courses/58010/pages/wifi-and-cell-phones

• Local SIM card vs. US international plan
  • A local SIM card is ideal for cost-conscious travelers staying 2-3 weeks or more, especially if you need high-speed data and local calls.
  • Your US international plan is better for convenience and if staying connected to your US number is critical. Contact your phone provider to learn about what they provide.

Living in Paris is both exciting and enriching — and as a Rice student, you are representing Rice University and the United States abroad. Your conduct reflects on you, your peers, and future Rice students who will participate in these programs.

We expect all students to:

• Act respectfully toward peers, faculty, staff, and local residents.
• Be mindful of cultural differences and local customs.
• Demonstrate professionalism and maturity during all program activities, excursions, and in public settings.
• Avoid disruptive or disrespectful behavior, especially in shared spaces and residences.
• Remember that Rice Global Paris collaborates closely with French institutions and communities, and maintaining positive relationships ensures continued opportunities for future students.

Being an ambassador for Rice means engaging with curiosity, humility, and respect — embodying the university’s values wherever you go.