Spring Quarter 2022 is underway! As always, we are following local, regional, and national health guidelines carefully and will make every effort to communicate information to all students and partners quickly and accurately. Please refer to the below FAQs for updated information regarding Spring Quarter and vaccination requirements at the College and for travelers to the U.S.

*Please note that some of the information posted below has changed. We have an updated FAQ post available at this time. All information posted below is subject to further change, particularly if health guidelines in our area change. We are committed to providing you with updates as quickly as possible should any of the information change.

1. Do I need to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID test result in order to enter the U.S.?

Yes. International students and most other non-U.S. citizens who are nonimmigrants will need to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the U.S. You will also need to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight. The negative COVID test must have been taken no more than 1 day prior to your flight, regardless of your vaccination status. Please check with your airline if you need additional assistance.

There is a limited set of exceptions to the vaccination rule, including travelers who are coming from countries with low vaccination rates (as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and travelers who are under 18 years of age.

*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.

2. Which vaccines are accepted?

Currently, here are the accepted vaccines:

• Johnson & Johnson/Janssen
• Moderna
• Pfizer-BioNTech (may also be known as Comirnaty)
• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Serum Institute of India: Covishield
• Sinopharm (Beijing): BBIBP-CorV
• Sinovac: CoronaVac
• Bharat BioTech: Covaxin
• Novavax/Covovax
• Medicago

Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after completing all doses for the vaccine). Please refer to the CDC’s International Travel page for requirements considered to be fully vaccinated.

*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.

3. What if I received a vaccine that is not on the list above?

Unfortunately, you will not be permitted to enter the U.S. by either land or air unless you are fully vaccinated by the CDC definition linked above or qualify for an exemption.

4. If I am unable to get fully vaccinated before Orientation starts, can I fly as soon as I am fully vaccinated?

If you are in this situation, please contact us at international@shoreline.edu. In most situations, new students must arrive in the U.S. during a certain period of time depending on their starting quarter at Shoreline.

5. If I am not vaccinated when I enter the U.S. (because I meet one of the exemptions set by the CDC), do I need to be vaccinated to take classes on campus at Shoreline?

Yes. All students taking any classes that meet on campus during Spring Quarter 2022 must attest to your vaccination status, or claim a medical exemption. Here are the instructions to attest: https://www.shoreline.edu/ctclink/ctclink_vaccine_attest.aspx

6. Where can I get the vaccine? How much money does it cost?

Most local pharmacies are offering the COVID vaccine for free. You can use the Washington Vaccine Locator website to find a location near you.

7. Do I need to submit proof of my vaccination to the College?

Yes. Please complete this attestation form in ctcLink* to indicate which vaccine you have received, and the dates that you received them. You will not need to upload or show any documents, but you will declare that the information provided is accurate and true. Providing false information may result in disciplinary action.

*Please note that you will not be able to complete the form until after you have activated your ctcLink account. If you are planning to join us for Summer or future quarters, you will receive more information about ctcLink before your Orientation.

8. I’m a current student at Shoreline and I already submitted the form for a previous quarter (Fall 2021 or Winter 2022). Do I have to submit it again for Spring Quarter 2022?

No, you do not need to submit the form again unless your response has changed.

9. Can I take all online classes for Spring Quarter 2022?

Inside the United States: New students who travel to the U.S. must register for at least one hybrid/in-person class for Spring Quarter 2022. 

Outside the United States: New students can begin taking online courses from their home country. This option does not require a valid F-1 visa or I-20. New students who are taking only online classes during Spring Quarter 2022 and are not already in the U.S. will not be allowed to travel to the U.S. You will have to wait until Summer Quarter 2022 to be able to come to the U.S. for in-person studies.

10. Do I have to wear a mask on campus?

Masks are voluntary (optional) on campus in most places. They are still required in healthcare settings, including the Counseling Center and clinical sites, and on College shuttles/vans. Currently, most businesses in the King County area (where Shoreline and Seattle are located) are also mask-optional, but some businesses may choose to require them.

*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.

11. Should I bring my proof of vaccination to campus? Do I need a vaccine card in the U.S.?

You do not need to show anyone your proof of vaccination to attend classes or come to campus (you only need to complete the attestation form). Most businesses in King County (where Shoreline and Seattle are located), including restaurants, are not currently requiring guests to show proof of vaccination in order to enter. However, some businesses may choose to require proof of vaccination. Please refer to the King County Health website for a list of acceptable forms of vaccination and additional information.

12. Are only international students required to be vaccinated?

All employees and students taking on-campus classes, except for those with approved medical exemptions, are required to be vaccinated.

13. I have a question that wasn’t answered here!

Here are some resources!

• Previous Winter Quarter FAQs post for additional FAQs related to international students
• Shoreline’s main COVID Updates page for College-wide information and updates
• Email us at iehelp@shoreline.edu or international@shoreline.edu!