FTC Northern Student Guide

Date	Event
Sunday, Aug 23 (afternoon)	Dorm Orientation
Sunday, Aug 23 (evening)	Welcome Back BBQ
Monday, Aug 24	New Student Orientation
Tuesday, Aug 25	First Day of Classes

Sunday, August 23

• Afternoon — Dorm Orientation
• Evening — Campus Welcome Back BBQ

Monday, August 24 — New Student Orientation (subject to change)

Time	Session
9:30 am	Official Welcome to FTC Northern Welcome from the Vice President · Department Chairs Introductions · The Campus — Now and Then?
10:15 am	Break & Refreshments
10:30 am	Guides from Offices Academic Affairs · Registrar · Student Financial Services · Information Technology · Student Affairs
12:00 pm	Lunch
12:30 pm	Campus Tour
1:30–3:00 pm	International Students Orientation & Check-In (F-1 students only)

All students:

• Activate your college email and check it regularly
• Log into Populi and Canvas
• Reach out to your academic advisor and register for your courses

F-1 international students — also bring to orientation:

• Valid passport
• F-1 visa
• All pages of your I-20
• I-94 arrival record (print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

On-campus housing is non-coed — separate floors for male and female students. Housing is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Freshmen are required to live on campus unless they live off-campus with family members.

To apply, complete the FTC Northern Dormitory Application.

For questions, contact the Residential Director:
Email: housing@mt.feitian.edu

Room Type	Cost per Semester
Single Occupancy — Large Room	$3,050 (limited)
Single Occupancy — Small Room	$2,900
Double Occupancy — Large Room	$2,300 (limited)
Double Occupancy — Small Room	$2,150

Dorm rent includes all utilities: air conditioning, heating, electricity, water, and Wi-Fi. You will not receive separate utility bills.

Rent is billed through your student account on Populi. Go to My Profile > Financial > Dashboard, then click “Make a Payment.”

Payment options:

• E-Check — no fee (recommended)
• Credit/Debit Card — 3% processing fee
• Wire transfer — for international students without a US bank account
• Cashier’s check — drop off at C Building, Room C201, 1 Ashley Ave

If someone else (e.g. a parent) is paying, click “Someone else paying?” to generate a shareable link.

Each room comes with:

• Single bed mattress (no bedding — you must bring your own)
• Desk and chair
• A/C and heater (seasonal)

Common areas include:

• Each residential floor has shared bathrooms and a study area
• The basement has recreation areas, a dining space with refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances, and shared laundry facilities

The dorm provides a mattress, desk, and chair — everything else you’ll need to bring or order online. Key items:

• Bedding: bedsheet (must be 2 meters long), pillow, pillowcase, thin and thick blankets — these are NOT provided
• Laundry: basket, detergent, hangers
• Meals: personal bowls and utensils
• Room: table lamp, extension cord, organizers (check your room first before buying)
• Personal: hair dryer, hygiene items, water bottle

Use this format for all mail and packages: This address is for on-campus residents only.

All dormitories and campus buildings are drug, alcohol, and smoke-free. This includes cigarettes, vaping devices, and any other substance. The policy is zero tolerance.

Violations can result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. See the Student Handbook for the full policy.

No — pets are strictly prohibited. If you require a service animal, contact the Office of Student Affairs before arriving.

FTC Northern uses Populi to manage all student accounts. You can view your balance, billing statements, payment history, and make payments directly through Populi.

Important: Paper bills are not mailed. You are responsible for checking your account and making payments through Populi.

Bills are released after you have registered for classes and your registration has been locked by your advisor.

Student Type	Registration Due	Bill Available	Payment Due
Full-Time	2 weeks before semester	2 weeks before semester	1 week before semester
Part-Time	2 weeks before semester	Within 2 weeks of course selection	1 week from date of bill
Special Processing	—	Within 2 weeks of admission or course selection	1 week from date of bill
Late Registration	—	Within 5 business days of enrollment	First day of class attendance

Log into Populi and go to My Profile > Financial > Dashboard. You will see your unpaid invoices and the “Pay Now” amount. Click “Make a Payment.” If another person is paying, click “Someone else paying?” to generate a link to send to them.

E-Check (ACH) — Recommended. Pay directly from your checking or savings account. No processing fee. Enter your bank account and routing numbers in Populi.

Credit or Debit Card — Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. A 3% processing fee is added to your total.

Wire Transfer — For international students without a US bank account. Contact SFS for instructions: sfs@mt.feitian.edu

Check or Money Order — Make payable to FTC Northern. Deliver in person to Room C201 during business hours, or mail to:

A $30 late fee is added to your account if payment is made 5 or more days after the due date — unless you are already enrolled in a payment plan.

Instead of paying in full, you can pay in 4 installments. There is a $50 installment fee per semester to enroll. Payments are due on the 15th of each month (months vary by semester — check your bill or contact SFS).

To opt into a payment plan:

1. Go to your Payment Page in Populi
2. Change “Payment Frequency” to “Choose a Payment Plan”
3. Change Invoice to the current semester (e.g., “2026-2027:Fall”)

If you withdraw from the college, tuition refunds are based on when you withdraw:

Withdrawal By	Fall 2026	Spring 2027	Refund
100% refund deadline	September 4	January 22	100%
50% refund deadline	September 18	February 5	50%
After 50% deadline	September 19+	February 6+	No refund

Always check the Academic Calendar for current dates.

Several banks are located in and around Middletown, NY. Common options:

• TD Bank — student checking, no monthly fee
• Chase — student account, fee waived while enrolled
• M&T Bank — local option with nearby ATMs

What to bring: government-issued photo ID and enrollment verification (from Populi or Student Affairs).

International students: bring your passport and I-20. Ask specifically about international student accounts.

Canvas is available at northernonline.instructure.com.

Your Canvas account is activated approximately 1 hour after your registration is locked in Populi. If you’ve registered and can’t access Canvas after a few hours, contact IT: helpdesk@mt.feitian.edu

There are two campus Wi-Fi networks:

• FAST — for the college buildings (classrooms, offices)
• DORM — for the dormitory building

You must register your devices with the IT office to connect. Contact IT when you arrive:
Email: helpdesk@mt.feitian.edu  |  Room D-417C

A US number is not required, but strongly recommended. The school sends campus notifications (e.g., weather closures) by text message. A US number also makes banking, app setup, and everyday tasks much easier and avoids international roaming charges.

College email is the primary channel for all official communications. Check your student email (firstname.lastname@stu.feitian.edu) frequently — important notices, deadlines, and updates from the college will be sent there.

Beyond official communications, many in the campus community use Signal for group messaging and announcements. Download Signal before you arrive and ask Student Affairs or your RA for the relevant group links when you get here.

Faculty may also use Canvas and/or Populi to communicate about courses, post assignments, and share updates — check both platforms regularly once the semester begins.

Course registration is done through Populi. Your advisor will help you select courses each semester. Once registration is locked, your bill is generated and your Canvas account is activated within about 1 hour.

Deadline	Fall 2026	Spring 2027
Classes begin	August 25	January 12
Add/Drop period ends	September 18	February 5
Last day to withdraw with “W”	November 13	April 9

After the add/drop deadline, withdrawing from a course results in a “W” grade. After the withdrawal deadline, a “WF” is assigned.

Always check the Academic Calendar for the full list of dates and any updates.

The Office of the Registrar handles course registrations, academic records, and degree audits. Services include:

• Course add/drop and withdrawals
• Enrollment verification letters
• Transcript requests
• Degree audits and application to graduate
• Program declaration and grade change requests
• Credits for prior learning / credit by examination
• Leave of absence and withdrawal processing
• Personal information changes on your student record

F-1 is a nonimmigrant student visa status that allows you to live and study in the US for the duration of your program. To keep your status active you must:

• Maintain full-time enrollment each semester
• Make satisfactory academic progress
• Keep your documents current (passport, I-20, visa)
• Report certain changes to the OIS (see below)
• Check in with OIS every semester

All F-1 students must arrive by the program start date listed on their I-20. Please refer to your I-20 for your specific date. You must attend the New F-1 Student Orientation to check in with OIS and activate your F-1 record.

If you cannot arrive by your program start date, contact OIS immediately: ois@mt.feitian.edu

Bring all of the following:

• Valid passport
• F-1 visa (stamped in your passport)
• All pages of your I-20
• I-94 arrival record (print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

Check the OIS Portal for any additional requirements.

F-1 students must be enrolled full-time every semester:

• Undergraduate students: at least 12 credits per semester
• Graduate students: at least 9 credits per semester

Dropping below these minimums without prior OIS authorization is a status violation. Contact OIS before making any schedule changes.

A Reduced Course Load (RCL) is only allowed in limited circumstances:

• Initial academic difficulty — first semester only
• A documented medical condition or injury
• Final semester where fewer credits are needed to graduate

You must get OIS authorization before dropping below full-time. Contact: ois@mt.feitian.edu

Notify OIS immediately if any of the following occur:

• Change of legal name, US address, email, or phone number
• New country of citizenship
• Change of program/major or declaring a minor
• Intent to travel abroad
• Intent to transfer to another school
• Intent to drop below full-time enrollment
• Taking a break or temporary leave
• Applying for on-campus employment, OPT, or CPT
• Loss or damage to any travel document
• Receipt of a Form I-515A at the US border

Always contact OIS before traveling. To re-enter the US in F-1 status you need:

• A valid passport
• A valid F-1 visa (Canadians: F-1 stamp / I-94)
• A current I-20 with a valid travel endorsement — a DSO signature on the 2nd page (valid for 1 year)

Yes — you may remain in the US during official school breaks as long as:

• Your F-1 status is active
• You intend to register for the next semester
• Your passport and I-20 are still valid

The F-1 visa is for studying, not working. However, under specific circumstances and with prior OIS authorization, you may be eligible for:

• On-campus employment
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training) — internships related to your program
• OPT (Optional Practical Training) — typically after graduation
• Off-campus employment — only in cases of severe economic hardship

• Program completion: 30-day grace period to depart or change status
• Early withdrawal: 15 days to depart
• I-20 termination: you must leave immediately

Contact OIS for guidance on your specific situation.

FTC Northern has two dining options on campus:

Campus Cafeteria (B Building)
Offers a variety of options, from single-item orders to buffet lunch and dinner. View Campus Dining Policy

Pho65 Middletown (on campus)
A Vietnamese restaurant on campus with a full menu at various price points. View menu

Two meal options are available through Northern Foodies (Cafeteria) at 49 Seward Ave:

Option 1 — Semester Meal Plan
A prepaid flat-rate plan covering the full semester. Best if you plan to eat at the cafeteria frequently.

• Price: $530/semester (flat rate — not prorated based on purchase date)
• Use your Campus ID to dine — no separate card needed
• Non-refundable and non-transferable

Option 2 — Prepaid Meal Card
A pay-as-you-go dining account. Best if you dine occasionally or want flexibility.

• Minimum deposit: $160 (reduced to $40 during May–Jun and Nov–Dec)
• Receive 20% bonus dining credit on every deposit
• Unused balances expire on June 30 each year
• Non-refundable and non-transferable

To sign up: Contact Dining Services with your full name, Campus ID, email, and class year.
Allow at least 3 business days for activation.

Several grocery stores are located in and around Middletown, NY. Ask Student Affairs or your RA for nearby options and tips on getting there without a car. The campus may also organize group shopping trips.

Cooking is not permitted in the student dorm. Only the following appliances are allowed:

• Microwave
• Toaster
• Kettle

There is a shared fridge and personal storage space for food that does not require cooking — such as milk, bread, jam, cereal, snacks, and similar items.

For hot meals, please use the on-campus dining options.

Yes — all students are required to maintain health insurance while enrolled at FTC Northern.

The following websites offer health insurance plans suitable for international students. FTC Northern does not endorse any particular provider.

• United Healthcare Community Plan
• International Student Insurance
• International Student Protection
• Study USA — Health Care

You may also contact MVP Health Care through their licensed agent, Marisol Guzman, at MGuzman@mvphealthcare.com, and mention that you are a domestic/international student at Fei Tian College Northern Campus.

Several medical facilities are located in Middletown:

• Garnet Health Medical Center — Multi-specialty, radiology, physical therapy
• Orange Urgent Care
• Middletown Urgent Care
• Northern Medical Center — Multi-specialty, vaccinations, physical therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture & herbal medicine), immigration medical exams (I-693 Form)
• Cornerstone Family Healthcare — Multi-specialty, vaccinations
• Middletown Medical Center — Multi-specialty, vaccinations, radiology, physical therapy
• Labcorp — Diagnostic tests including blood tests, urinalysis, antibody titer tests, immunization lab work, drug screens

There is a Club Day at the start of each semester where you can meet all active clubs and sign up. Most clubs also welcome new members at any time — just show up to a meeting.

For a full list of clubs or more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs: osa@mt.feitian.edu

Fill out the New Club Application Form (available from Student Affairs). You’ll need a minimum number of interested students and a faculty or staff advisor to sponsor the club. Submit your application to Student Affairs for review and approval.

Talk to Student Affairs — they can connect you with on-campus and community resources. For immediate after-hours support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.