May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE declaration. After this date, the Centers for Disease Control’s authorizations to collect certain types of public health data has expired, including community transmission rates, which has been reported on the COVID-19 Response Plan page.
Many international students have questions about COVID testing for travel, vaccines, funding, grocery delivery, and other resources during the pandemic. Please read through IUP's safety and campus guidelines during COVID. Specific on- and off-campus resources for international students are below.
International students need to make sure they continue to maintain their F or J visa status and are careful using public benefits. Some services offered are not for non-US citizens and could impact your future immigration status. See Guidance on Use of Public Benefits.
If you have a need that is not listed below, call 2-1-1 to connect to resources in your community. This list is by no means exhaustive—please do your own research. This is provided as a basic resource for international students at IUP.
Deliveries During Self-Quarantine
- Restaurant food delivery: If you are self-quarantining, most local restaurants have delivery service or curbside pickup. is also a delivery service throughout the US. Indiana, Pa. has many restaurants, including Mexican, Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, American, Chinese, Japanese, plenty of pizza shops, and more.
- Grocery Delivery: For delivery of groceries, you can use delivery service, or order online and do a contactless pick-up and sometimes delivery from local grocery stores. Local grocery stores include , , , , and .
- New students: Indiana, PA zip code is 15701
- Online Ordering: Consider applying for an to order books, supplies, and more online with free shipping. Students need to use an .edu email to sign up. After six months the cost is $7.49 per month.
Food Pantries
- IUP Food Pantry in Wallwork Hall has food and hygiene items available for students. Call or email to set up a time to pick up food.
- - Indiana County Community Action for food boxes distributed monthly. 724-465-2657. Located at 827 Water Street, Indiana, PA 15701.
- Join group for up-to-date food pick-up information in Indiana, Pa.
- : 724-463-2277. 1200 Oakland Avenue, across from campus Parking Garage; food box. Phone registration before noon on Sunday required; must be able to pick up food Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Funding Assistance
- International Education Partial Tuition Waiver - Students who are not already receiving this scholarship from the OIE office can apply. This is a $140/credit discount for graduate students or a $210/credit discount for undergraduate students. Students taking thesis, dissertation, or distance education classes would not qualify. Those with full 20-hour graduate assistantships do not qualify. All others would be considered. Submit a PTW Appeal form.
- Loans - See our International Student Scholarship page for some suggestions.
- - Sign up online or call 866-857-7095. Low-income assistance for gas, electric, and water bills.
- - Sign up online or call 724-439-7061. Low income heating assistance program; can apply online.
- - Students who have a baby in the US can apply for some support with formula and milk for their babies.
COVID Testing and Vaccines
- As of January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all passengers aged 2 or older to present a negative COVID-19 testing for entry to the US.
- As of November 8, 2021, non-immigrant travelers (this includes F and J visa holders) arriving by plane must be fully vaccinated to enter the U.S. Only limited exceptions apply. Visit the CDC international travel pages for additional guidance.
- IUP Health Service offers free COVID testing. Please follow IUP testing instructions and set up an appointment online. Students who have COVID symptoms should call or email the Health Service to get further instructions. If your health needs are beyond what IUP Health Service offers, we recommend contacting Susan Graham, sgraham@iup.edu, the IUP case worker who assists students in finding a doctor, dentist, and insurance.
- COVID Testing: IUP Health Service offers COVID testing, including tests required for international travel. Here are other local options for COVID testing:
- is being done in McKeesport, Pa. Appointments are required. Testing is not done at the IRMC Hospital unless you have a doctor's letter requesting the test.
- Indiana, PA
- Indiana, PA
- At-Home Mail-In COVID test - offers tests that are mailed to your home.
- COVID Vaccines: Moderna vaccine is available through IUP Health Service. Vaccines are also widely available throughout the community. Visit the page for additional information. If you are in a state other than ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, search for the state's Department of Health website for details. International students are eligible for the vaccine.
- Finding a Doctor or Hospital:
- Students who have health insurance should follow guidelines and recommendations for doctors covered by your policy. There are many doctors in and around Indiana, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, that can be found through basic searches.
- Students should purchase health insurance for themselves while in the US.
- is a free clinic open to all in Johnstown, Pa. Wait times are long, but services are discounted.
- - Students who have children residing in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø who meet eligibility may qualify for CHIP PA Health Insurance for children and teens.
- Additional COVID Resources