Valpo Town Services
Communication, Financial, and Utility Resources
Communication
The U.S. postal service is inexpensive and efficient. The student mail center is located in the Harre Union on the first floor. Hours: 9 a.m – 3 p.m. Tel# 219.464.5259. There are two off-campus post office locations: 460 Lincolnway, and 2700 Valparaiso St. You may buy stamps and money orders at both locations as well as send letters and packages. Express mail service is also available.
Other commonly used express mail services are the FedEx store, and UPS store.
If you wish to contact home immediately upon arrival and you are not able to make arrangements to do so yourself, you may come to our office for assistance. For emergency contact, you may give our office number (1.219.464.5333) to your family.
Local telephone service is provided by the residence halls. To dial a local (within Porter County), off-campus number, dial “8” and then the number. To dial a campus number from another campus phone, just dial the last four digits. Prepaid phone cards can be purchased at Wal-Mart and Target.
You will receive information about setting up your Valpo email account and internet login in orientation material provided to you by the university before your arrival on campus. If you have any questions about your Valpo account, contact the IT Help Desk.
Cable television and high-speed internet, as well as land-line phone service, can be purchased through the providers listed below. You will find many different types of packages, from basic internet and cable to premium cable channels and high-speed internet. Check InMyArea.com for comparisons of local providers, or click on the links below.
Following is a listing of the major cell phone companies providing service in the Valparaiso area and their location in town.
Verizon
2505 LaPorte Avenue
Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Telephone: 219.531.9029
AT&T
2912 N Calumet
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Telephone: 219.464.2571
Sprint
Suite 300, 2310 LaPorte Avenue
Telephone: 219.548.2882
T Mobile
Service can be purchased at Wal-Mart or Radio Shack in Valparaiso
Wal-Mart: 219.465.2779
Radio Shack: 219.464.7859
Cricket
3008 Calumet Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383-2640
Money & Banking
When opening a bank account, you have several options: most people open both a savings account and a checking account.
- Savings Accounts: money earns interest based on the bank’s percentage rate. Banks generally allow you to have a certain number of transactions (deposits and withdrawals), after which a small fee is charged.
- Checking Accounts: money in this type of account generally does not earn interest, but it usually allows you more access to your money. Many checking accounts allow an unlimited number of transactions each month.
If you wish to open only one type of account, it is more helpful to have a checking account. You not only don’t need to carry cash around, but you can also pay any bill sent to you through the mail. Never send cash through the mail!
When you open an account, the banks normally require a minimum deposit. They also require some pieces of identification. Make sure that you pay attention to all the details that the bank representative tells you. The representative will talk about specific information for each type of account, such as the number of checks you can write without paying a fee, the regulations for withdrawing money from the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), the different penalty charges for going below a minimum balance, etc.
Banks also normally provide you with a regular monthly “bank statement” summarizing all your transactions during that month so you can keep track of your account. Make sure you keep the monthly statements for future reference.
If you will be receiving money regularly from abroad, you may find it more convenient to have an account in one of the national banks located in Valparaiso.
Chase Bank
2200 Morthland Ave,
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-465-9730
Fifth/Third Bank
56 S Washington St
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-465-6611
1st Source Bank
2005 Laporte Ave
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-462-3167
Utility Services
If you decide to rent off-campus housing, utility services may or may not be included in your apartment lease. Before signing the lease, ask the apartment manager which utilities you are responsible to arrange yourself.
Most utility services will ask for a Social Security Number (SSN) as a requirement. In all cases, it is possible to obtain these services without a SSN, but you may need to explain that as non-working foreign citizen, you are not eligible for a SSN. If you have a SSN, you will be able to arrange most services for telephone during the hours of service listed.
If you do not have an SSN, we recommend that you visit the offices in person where possible. It is generally easier to present your passport and other required documents in person. If you require assistance in these matters, please speak to anyone in International Programs.
There are three main types of utility services in Porter County. Gas and electricity are provided by NIPSCO, water and trash pickup are provided by Valparaiso City Utilities, and internet, cable, and phone service are usually provided by Comcast or DirecTV (though there are other providers for these services).
Electricity is used for heating and cooking in many apartment buildings, and you may be responsible to arrange and pay for your own electrical service if it is not included in your rent payment.
You can apply for electric and/or gas service by calling our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1.800.4.NIPSCO (or 1.800.464.7726). They are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Below information you will need to complete the application process:
- Full name
- Birth date
- Social Security number
- Place of employment, address, and telephone number
- Address where service is located
- Landlord‘s name, address and telephone number
Note: NIPSCO may require deposits.
This also includes waste pickup and storm-water drainage.
Valparaiso City Utilities
205 Billings St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219.462.6174
There are two ways to begin service with the water company, and the website provided lists them both in detail.
International Student
Support Services
Valparaiso University is dedicated to providing international students with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and personally. From career services and health insurance to student letters and immigration guidance, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.
Housing, Shopping, and Dining Resources
There are many places in Valparaiso to get what you need for the upcoming year. On-campus and off-campus students will need different things, though, so if you have questions about these things, please do not hesitate to ask International Programs.
Housing
If you are graduate student and looking for a housing option with affordable price and utilities included, Valpo has that option.
If you are a new undergraduate student, you are probably living in a residence hall. Our office staff will bring you directly from the bus station to the residence hall. The residence halls are open early to accommodate international students. Please note that there is no bedding provided upon arrival so please bring a minimum of $30-$50 U.S. Dollars cash with you to purchase bedding, basic supplies, and food for the first few nights in the residence hall. For summer and fall arrivals, you can wait for a couple of months before purchasing a heavier blanket immediately.
International Programs recommends that international undergraduate students live on campus for at least the first two years because it is the best way to meet American students and adjust to the U.S. Many students opt to live in Brandt Hall because it is open during break periods; however, you may live in another hall and find a friend’s room to stay in during breaks. Make sure you pay attention to the rules about the length of stay in residence halls and requirements for break housing, such as completing forms and picking up new keys BEFORE the deadline. In general, it is necessary to move out after your exams are finished. Your RA (resident assistant) will help to explain other rules, and Residential Life will also be happy to help you.
You may want to live off campus for dietary or other reasons; however, if you are under 22, you must file a petition with the Housing Office to do so. Do not sign the off-campus ‘lease’ before you are ‘released’ from on-campus housing by Residential Life. There are several apartment complexes around campus, and many houses are divided into apartments. When you seek an apartment, make sure it meets your needs and that you can meet your obligations for rent and damages.
Searching for an Apartment
It is best to start by asking your friends if they know of an opening. Many times, other students are looking for roommates or renters. This “word-of-mouth” method is usually best. The Graduate School maintains a list of apartments for rent. The Times and The Torch newspapers also carry “classified” listings of places to rent. The phone book has agencies listed under “Apartments” (in the yellow pages), which rent apartments. Finally, you may see “For Rent” signs on houses near campus.
Be sure to bring money with you when you arrive to purchase furniture and other household items you might need (you can also check the “Valpo Students: Free & For Sale” Facebook page for advertisements of furniture you can purchase cheaply).
Choosing an Apartment
When you find some good possibilities, call the landlord or rental agency and ask about the location and cost. If you find the rent to be reasonable, set up an appointment to see the apartment. Ask to see the actual apartment, not a “model.” Is the apartment clean and ready for immediate occupancy? Think of some questions you want to ask ahead of time, such as the cost of utilities and length of lease. Do not sign the lease right away — give yourself some time to think about it.
Questions to Ask
- Here are some questions to ask the landlord and yourself:
- Is the apartment in good condition?
- How are the walls, the floors, the windows?
- Do the appliances work? (Try them to find out.)
- How is the hot water supply?
- Where can you do your laundry?
- What are the average utility costs?
- How many people can live in the apartment?
- Are pets allowed?
- How long is the lease? (Remember, you are responsible even if the lease extends beyond the school year.)
After asking about the length of the lease, find out when the rent is due and how it is to be paid. Ask about the security deposit (usually it is equal to one month’s rent), and find out what it covers and how much you will get back. Ask what the conditions are if you break the lease, or if your landlord breaks the lease. Remember, once you sign the lease, you are responsible for adhering to its terms, so take your time and get advice on it if needed.
It is very important that each person living in your apartment should sign the lease with the landlord (for your own legal protection).
DO NOT LEASE apartments on behalf of friends, as they may back out and you will be stuck with the lease. Again, if you are wanting to move off-campus, do not sign the off-campus lease before you are ‘released’ from on-campus housing by Residential Life.
Your landlord will most likely not have insurance to cover your personal belongings. It is not necessary to have renters insurance, but you may want to buy your own policy if you own expensive things (computer equipment, etc). Short of insurance, it is always a good policy to rent an apartment that is kept in good condition and can be secured with good locks.
Use common sense in not overloading circuits with too many electrical appliances, turning them off when not in use, and remembering to lock your door whenever you leave. It is useful to know your escape route in case of fire and to keep a list of emergency numbers next to the phone. Prices range from $100-$150 for a year, depending on deductible, which, over 12 months, is about $8-$12 a month.
Keep your apartment in good shape and report any broken features to your manager right away. Follow landlord guidelines for taking out the trash, having pets, quiet hours, maximum number of renters in the apartment, smoking outdoors, etc. Be sure to keep your apartment clean. Any change in tenants should be reported to the landlord, such as when you change roommates or sub-lease the apartment to someone else (short-term visitors are ok).
Be respectful of your neighbors’ rights to quiet and/or cleanliness. Your American neighbors may not understand some of the things you do or may feel uncomfortable in approaching you. If you are patient and courteous, most problems between neighbors can be easily solved.
Shopping and Dining
| Wal-Mart: 2400 Morthland Drive 219.465.2799 | Target: 2420 LaPorte Avenue 219.531.6448 | Strack & Van Til: 2800 Calumet Avenue 2168 West US Highway 30 219.464.3571 |
| Westfield-Southlake Shopping Center: 2109 Southlake Mall Merrillville, IN 46410 219.738.2260 | Town and Country: 1605 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383 219.464.8606 | Aldi: 2906 LaPorte Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383 855.955.2534 |
Please check this link for more dining options.
There are many places to dine in Valparaiso, ranging from fast food to fine-dining restaurants, as well as many ethnic restaurants. Explore the town and find everything that Valparaiso has to offer! Don’t forget to travel to Merrillville as well, where you can find a much more diverse selection of restaurants.
Shopping Note: “Sales Tax”- In the state of Indiana, you will be charged a tax of 7 percent on every purchase except essential grocery items. This tax is calculated at the register and is not included in the price marked on the product.
Getting Around
Transportation
International Students have a variety of ways to get around campus, the City of Valparaiso, and into Chicago.
Transporation
Getting Around Valparaiso and Beyond
Valparaiso has a few economically and environmentally friendly alternatives to driving around the Chicagoland area. The V-Line is available to travel around the city of Valparaiso, and the Transit Connect, ChicaGo Dash, and South Shore Train Line provide options to travel to Chicago.
In Valpo, along with the V-Line, many students find walking or riding a bike a viable option during most of the year. Many of the restaurants and stores, including the downtown area, are within walking distance from the campus. However, during the winter months, many students seek other forms of transportation.
Check the links below for the various public transportation services available:
South Shore Train Line from Dune Park Station in Chesterton to downtown Chicago.
V-Line : A bus service operated by the city in collaboration with the University. Students ride free of charge and the V-Line runs routes to downtown shopping centers, Wal-Mart, and Target, as well as a weekend line that goes to the Dunes so that people can catch the train to and from Chicago.
Transit Connect: Similar to the V-Line, this bus service provides daily service from Valpo to the South Shore train station.
ChicaGo Dash: Weekday bus service from Valpo to Chicago.
Purchasing Your Own Car
Purchasing your own car is a big investment and should only be done after careful consideration. If you are unsure about any part of the process, you should contact International Programs or ask a friend who has already purchased a car for advice. Remember that the state of Indiana will charge you a 7 percent sales tax, which can possibly add hundreds of dollars to your purchase.
Also, once you have purchased the car, you must go to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to title and register the vehicle. Remember, Indiana law requires that you have your car registration, proof of insurance, and Driver’s License (or Learner’s Permit) with you at all times while driving. However, the title should always be left at home.
Insurance is a legal requirement in the state of Indiana before you operate a vehicle. There are several locations around the area where you may purchase insurance. You may also purchase insurance online. See the Helpful Links section below for some suggested insurance companies.
If you have never driven before or if you simply feel uncomfortable with the laws of driving in the United States, then it may be a good idea to attend a driving school before you begin driving. See below for local driving schools:
Certified Driving – offers online and in-person driving classes
Coastline Academy – has options to obtain a permit, take an online road education course, and testing for a driver’s license.
Unless you have an official International Driving Permit (IDP), you must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license in order to drive legally. To apply for a driver’s license, bring the following documents to the Indiana BMV:
- I-20 or DS-2019 (Current)
- Passport & Visa
- Current I-94 (The card stapled to your Passport)
- 2 Proofs of Indiana Residency
See this page on our website for more details on how to apply for a U.S. driver’s license.
While you are driving, be sure to observe laws, including the posted signs. In addition, when you hear a siren, be sure to pull over to the side of the road. If your vehicle is pulled over by a police officer, remain calm and keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. If you are involved in a car accident, be sure to call 911 right away and make sure that you exchange insurance information with the other person. For more tips on driving, you can either visit the Indiana BMV website or go to a local branch to pick up a driver’s manual.