Dear new Portland State University (PSU) student, 

Welcome!  You will be receiving many important emails designed to smooth your transition to Portland and Portland State University.  Please read these emails carefully as they contain very important information about what you still need to do before you arrive.  Stay connected with us for any updates and changes about your enrollment requirements as well as arrival information.  Any changes will be communicated to you via email.

You will be required to purchase PSU health insurance when you arrive.  Dependents (husband, wife and/or children) who accompany you are also required to purchase health insurance.  Do not purchase health insurance in your home country.

If you are an Embassy-sponsored or J-1 exchange student and you already have health insurance that meets U.S. requirements, bring a copy of your health insurance documents with you and submit A WAIVER FORM.

Fall 2026 health insurance will start on September 20, 2026. We strongly suggest that you purchase PSU health insurance for the period between your arrival in the U.S. (no more than 30 days before the start of your program of study) and September 20, when the Fall term insurance is activated.  Your husband or wife and/or children are also eligible for and should have weekly coverage.  Please contact insurancehelp@pdx.edu with your PSU ID number and a start date if you'd like to purchase insurance on a weekly basis ($69/week).

You can learn more about PSU health insurance through Student Health Insurance 101.  If you have any questions about your health insurance, please contact the Health Insurance Coordinator at insurancehelp@pdx.edu.  

It is very important that you find temporary or permanent housing before you arrive at PSU!

Option 1 - On-Campus Housing

On-campus housing is NOT guaranteed, so you are encouraged to research your housing options as early as possible.  Read the Contract Terms and Conditions carefully before applying to on-campus housing.  Visit the University Housing and Residence Life's (UHRL) website to find out more about PSU on-campus housing and submit an application through the PSU Housing Portal.  

The official move-in for on-campus housing during the Fall term begins September 24.  However, new international students can move in early between September 16 and September 18 by submitting a request through the Housing Portal by August 15.  Please contact the University Housing and Residence Life (UHRL) at housing@pdx.edu if you have any questions.  If you don't make any arrangements with them, please make sure to plan and have a place to stay (homestay, hotel, or other short-term housing) before the move-in date.   

Option 2 - Host Families

Homestays are a great way to learn more about U.S. culture!  PSU does not offer homestays, but some of the international students have used services through two homestay organizations: FOCUS and ACES.  

Option 3 - Off-Campus Housing

We have many resources available to help students find off-campus housing.  You can find out more about housing in Portland through a Homebase course called "Living in the City of Roses".  Once you're registered for our orientation and assigned an international student mentor, you can contact them or our office for assistance.