Winter Quarter 2022 is coming very soon! 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 Winter 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. for Winter Quarter?
Yes. Starting November 8, 2021, 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. Starting December 6, 2021, 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.
UPDATE: As of November 26, 2021, the U.S. government has announced that most noncitizen travelers from a selection of countries affected by the Omicron variant will not be allowed to enter, regardless of vaccination status. Please contact us at international@shoreline.edu if you are impacted by this regulation.
*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, all vaccines approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use are accepted. These vaccines are:
- 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
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 the quarter 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 be able to arrive in time to start Orientation on January 3, 2022.
5. If I am not vaccinated when I enter the U.S. (because I meet one of the exemptions above), do I need to be vaccinated to take classes on campus at Shoreline?
Yes. All students taking any classes that meet on campus during Winter Quarter 2022 must attest to your vaccination status, or claim a medical exemption, by January 20, 2022. You will be permitted to attend your on-campus classes up to this date.
*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.
6. Where can I get the vaccine? How much money does it cost?
There will be a vaccine clinic on campus at Shoreline starting on January 4, 2022, and you can find more information about this clinic on the College’s main COVID Updates page. If you will be arriving prior to this date and need to get a vaccine, most local pharmacies are offering the COVID vaccine free of cost. You can use the Washington Vaccine Locator website to find a location near you.
*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.
7. Do I need to submit proof of my vaccination to the College?
Yes. Please complete this attestation form 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. The deadline is January 20, 2022.
*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new information.
No, you do not need to submit the form again unless your response has changed.
9. Can I take all online classes for Winter 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 Winter 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 Winter 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 Spring Quarter 2022 to be able to come to the U.S. for in-person studies.
10. Can I participate in campus activities?
Yes, we are hosting in-person activities again, with safety protocols in place. You will be required to wear a mask during the activity if it is indoors. Some in-person activities, such as sporting events, may require proof of vaccination at entry.
*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 by January 20, 2022). However, currently in King County (where Shoreline and Seattle are located), restaurants and many other indoor businesses such as movie theaters are requiring guests to show proof of vaccination in order to enter. Please refer to the King County Health website for a list of acceptable forms of vaccination and additional information.
*This information has changed since the original post was published. Please see our updated FAQ post for new 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!
weare.shoreline.edu 