Estimated Costs and Other Important Information For Inbound Exchange Students
As inbound student on exchange, there are several areas that you should be aware of prior to your arrival at Montclair State University. We have listed the key areas of focus for you to review prior to you beginning your studies at Montclair.
Visas, Health Insurance, and Payments
Students must apply for and receive a J-1 Visa to be eligible to study in the USA. After acceptance as an international Exchange/Visiting Student, you will be asked to submit a copy of a current passport and financial documents to demonstrate sufficient funding to cover programs cost and living expenses while in the USA. Proof of funding is required by the US government to be eligible to apply for a visa. Montclair State University will then issue form DS-2019 which confirms your acceptance into an Exchange Visitor Program. Further instructions are sent after acceptance.
For questions related to your status as an exchange student, please contact The Office of Global Engagement.
Montclair State University students are required to have health insurance. In addition, the US State Department requires that all J-1 Visa holders maintain health insurance that meets minimum standards through their entire stay in the US. Students will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the student health insurance.
Students can make payments by international wire transfer or by credit card (fee applies). Payments for housing, health insurance, dining credit, and any other fees will be due at the beginning of each semester after the appropriate tuition waivers are issued.
Student Identification Cards and Immunizations
Student Identification Cards:
Exchange/Visiting students will be provided with a Montclair State University ID card to use the library, computer labs, the recreation center and other campus resources. This card can also be used for dining services. Students will receive instructions on how to submit a photo for their identification card and should pick these cards up within twenty-four hours of arrival.
Immunizations:
All students are required to demonstrate that they have received the mandatory immunizations for Montclair State University. Our students will be contacted by University Health Insurance in order to ensure they are compliant with the current mandated list of vaccines.
As of the 2025-2026 Academic Year, these vaccines include the following:
Full-time (Undergraduate – 12 or more credits)
- MMR 2-dose series (first dose AFTER first birthday) Please Note: You may see individual doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine.
- HepB 3-dose series (2nd dose at least 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at least 8 weeks after 2nd, PLUS at least 16 weeks between 1st and 3rd dose.
- Please Note: Only if student is Resident, add one dose of meningitis vaccine (Menactra, Menveo or MenQuadFi) that must be given on, or after, 16th birthday and within the last five years.
If you need assistance, please contact the Student Health Center: call 973-655-3459, email askanurse@montclair.edu, or stop by the office in Blanton Hall.
Include your CWID and use your Montclair State University email to send your message.
On-Campus Employment
International Exchange/Visiting students can apply for on-campus work, for up to 20 hours per week maximum during the semester, or full time when class is not in session. All such work must be approved by the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) prior to employment and students must apply for and receive a Social Security Number (SSN) prior to beginning work.
If feasible, Students can also participate in an academic training program, which J-1 Exchange Visitor Program uses for off-campus employment or practical experience related to your field of study. Students must receive permission from OGE.
Estimated Costs
As Inbound Exchange students, transparency regarding costs are essential as students prepare for their experience at Montclair State University. As a public institution, we cannot administer need-based financial aid to international students. Unless awarded a merit-based scholarship or assistantship, international students must plan to pay the entire cost of attending Montclair State University. These estimates are based on one academic year (18 credits for graduate students, 24-36 credits for undergraduate students).
Estimated Exchange Academic Year Budget Items:
- Tuition and Fees: $0
- Living Expenses: $17,495
- Miscellaneous Expenses (includes books, travel, and personal expenses): $8904
- Estimated Insurance: $3,000
The housing cost is quoted the average with a range of options available, including single and double and triple bedrooms, traditional dorms and apartment style halls.
Applicable tuition, fees, housing and health insurance will be billed directly to your student account.
*Please note: some courses may have additional fees, particularly music and art. These fees are payable by Visiting and NSE Students.
Estimated Exchange Semester Budget Items:
- Tuition and Fees: $0
- Living Expenses: $8747.50
- Miscellaneous Expenses (includes books, travel, and personal expenses): $4452
- Estimated Insurance: $1,900
The housing cost is quoted the average with a range of options available, including single and double and triple bedrooms, traditional dorms and apartment style halls.
Applicable tuition, fees, housing and health insurance will be billed directly to your student account.
*Please note: some courses may have additional fees, particularly music and art. These fees are payable by Visiting and NSE Students.
Estimated Visiting Academic Year Budget Items:
- Tuition and Fees: Per terms of agreement
- Living Expenses: : $17,495
- Miscellaneous Expenses (includes books, travel, and personal expenses): $8904
- Estimated Insurance: $3,000
The housing cost is quoted the average with a range of options available, including single and double and triple bedrooms, traditional dorms and apartment style halls.
Applicable tuition, fees, housing and health insurance will be billed directly to your student account.
*Please note: some courses may have additional fees, particularly music and art. These fees are payable by Visiting and NSE Students.
Estimated Visiting Semester Budget Items:
- Tuition and Fees: Per Terms of Agreement
- Living Expenses: $8747.50
- Miscellaneous Expenses (includes books, travel, and personal expenses): $4452
- Estimated Insurance: $1,900
The housing cost is quoted the average with a range of options available, including single and double and triple bedrooms, traditional dorms and apartment style halls.
Cost Review:
Living Expenses:
Incoming students will be offered housing in our Global Village. Room rates vary depending on whether you are in a single or double bedroom. Students living on campus are encouraged to live in the Global Village as it will allow them to connect with their international peers, classmates in the National Student Exchange from across the United States, and local Montclair students. Students are discouraged from choosing to live off-campus, as there are limited options available nearby that are affordable or easily commutable.
Meals:
Students who live in the Global Village are not required to have meal plans. They will have a kitchen in their apartments and are not held to the same requirements as other residence halls on campus. Students are also encouraged to utilize the Red Hawk Pantry which provides food items, health/personal care products, school supplies, tableware/utensils, and more free in Blanton Hall Room 1200. Students are also encouraged to sign up for the Food Champion which notifies students when there is free food available on campus.
Health Insurance:
All students at Montclair State University are required to have health insurance. In addition, the US State Department requires that all J-1 visa holders maintain health insurance that meets minimum standards through their entire stay in the US. Students will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance offered by Montclair State University.
Wifi and Cellular Plans:
Montclair State University provides a high-speed, secure, multi-service wired and wireless networks available 24 hours a day, except during periods of scheduled maintenance or unforeseen network or electrical problems. Wired and wireless services are available throughout all research, academic and administrative buildings as well as student residential halls.
While Wifi is useful on campus, students are recommended to prepare for the cost of a cell-phone plan prior to their arrival. Plans are approximately $50 per month and can be found through off-campus providers.