Embedded Files
Student Services in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metro Area
Student Services in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metro Area
Supports and services for students
Supports and services for students
Hokie One Stop
Graduate School - DC
Cook Counseling Center
ALL RESOURCES BELOW SHOULD BE FURTHER RESEARCHED TO ENSURE IT IS THE RIGHT RESOURCE FOR YOU.
Banking
Banking
To open a bank account you will need:
• Passport
• Drivers license or Virginia Tech ID
• Proof of address: a signed lease or utility bill
• I20
• Admit Letter
DC AREA
DC AREA
Local Banks that do NOT require an SSN
Chase Bank, 3625 Richmond Hwy
Wells Fargo, 3506 Mt Vernon Ave
PNC Bank, 825 N Washington St
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
Local Banks that do NOT require an SSN
Truist, 902 Prices Fork Rd Ste 110
Wells Fargo, 920 University City Blvd
Airports
Airports
Priceline is an option for booking Hotels, Flights and Car Rentals.
DC AREA
DC AREA
Ronald Reagan International (DCA)
Located in Virginia – 1.3 miles from campus
Washington Dulles International (IAD)
Located in Virginia - 27 miles from campus
Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
Located in Maryland – 37 miles from campus
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)
Located in Roanoke - 40 miles from campus
Credit Cards
Credit Cards
Popular Student Credit Cards
Discover Card (requires SSN)
Zolve (does not require SSN)
Housing
Housing
Visit VT DC Off-Campus & VT Housing for housing in the DC Area.
Visit VT Off-Campus & On-Campus Housing for housing in the Blacksburg Area.
Apartments near Alexandria Campus
The Dalton Apartments, (703) 334-0529
Platform, (844) 308-3768
The Frasier, (571) 366-5689
Apartments near Blacksburg Campus
Park37, (540) 944-8823
Shawnee Apartments, (540) 552-2384
The Edge Apartment Homes, (540) 552-3343
Alternate Online Resources for Housing:
WashingtonDC.craigslist.org
Zillow.com
Apartments.com
MEng CS Discord
Medical Care
Medical Care
International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to purchase insurance for themselves and any accompanying dependents for the duration of their stay.
All students should review important student health requirements on the Virginia Tech Student Medical Insurance page.
You have the option to purchase a health insurance plan through the University.
Instructions for enrolling can be found here and details and local providers are available at AETNA Student Health.
The Schiffert Health Center provides student medical services that are equivalent to those provided by a general family physician. These services are included in the cost of your comprehensive fees. The center also manages immunization and health-history requirements for students enrolled at the Blacksburg campus.
Check out Graduate School's Medical Care Page for more information.
Food Shopping
Food Shopping
DC AREA
DC AREA
Markets near Alexandria Campus
Amazon Fresh, 3801 Richmond Hwy
Target, 3101 Richmond Hwy
Giant Food, 621 E Glebe Rd
Harris Teeter, 3600 S Glebe Rd W100
ALDI, 425 E Monroe Ave
Trader Joe's, 612 N St Asaph St
Whole Foods, 1700 Duke St
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
Markets near Blacksburg Campus
Food Lion, 1413 N Main St
Kroger, 903 University City Blvd
Kroger, 1322 S Main St
ALDI, 2265 N Franklin St
Walmart, 2400 N Franklin St
Target, 195 Conston Ave NW
Retail Shopping
Retail Shopping
DC AREA
DC AREA
Mosaic District (10 miles)
Mosaic District (10 miles)
2910 District Avenue, Fairfax VA
Metro Bus Accessible
Tyson’s Corner Center (11 miles)
Tyson’s Corner Center (11 miles)
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA
Tyson’s Corner Subway Station
Georgetown (5 miles)
Georgetown (5 miles)
M Street, Washington, DC
Foggy Bottom Subway Station
Fashion Center at Pentagon City (5 miles)
Fashion Center at Pentagon City (5 miles)
1100 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA
Pentagon City Subway Station
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
BT Bus System can be used to access all of the following:
University Mall Shopping Center (1 mile)
University Mall Shopping Center (1 mile)
801 University City Blvd
First and Main (3 miles)
First and Main (3 miles)
1450 S Main St
Uptown Christiansburg (6 miles)
Uptown Christiansburg (6 miles)
782 New River Rd
Phone/Internet
Phone/Internet
Research plans, coverage and cost.
Research plans, coverage and cost.
Phone
Phone
Phone (Prepaid or Postpaid): A few companies to choose from: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. Plans vary from one company to another.
Internet
Internet
Internet companies include Xfinity, Verizon, Cox, etc. Internet providers are determined by location. Prices depend on the Internet speed and if you choose to bundle services.
Tip: To reduce costs form groups to obtain Family Plan for postpaid connection.
VA Identification
VA Identification
DC Area & Blacksburg
DC Area & Blacksburg
Obtain Virginia Identification Card at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
Obtain Virginia Identification Card at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
Alexandria DMV (4 miles)
2681 Mill Rd
Alexandria, VA 22314
Christiansburg DMV (7 miles)
385 Arbor Drive
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Additional Identification
Additional Identification
Use for Domestic Travel
Exam not required
VA Driver's License
VA Driver's License
DC AREA
DC AREA
Review Applying for a Driver’s License carefully for required materials and steps.
You must pass a two-part sign and knowledge test and a vision test to obtain your Learners Permit.
DMV Manual is a helpful resource to prepare for the Knowledge Test.
If you have a driving license from your home country you may be able to skip the 60 days wait and can directly schedule a Road Test after successfully completing Knowledge Test. Then you will not require a Learners Permit.
Schedule a Road Test for your Virginia Driver’s License.
Transportation
Transportation
DC AREA
DC AREA
Public Transportation
Metro Railway (https://www.wmata.com/service/rail/)
Metro Bus (https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/)
Contact your friends and see if you can carpool!
Other options:
Bikeshare/Scooters
Uber/Lyft/Taxi Cabs
Zip Car
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
Public Transportation
Blacksburg Transit (https://ridebt.org/routes-schedules)
Driving to Campus
You need to purchase a parking pass in order to park on campus. Consider getting the carpool pass to split with friends. (https://parking.vt.edu/content/parking_vt_edu/en/permits.html)
Other options:
BYOScooters
Uber/Lyft/Taxi Cabs
University Pass (U-Pass)
University Pass (U-Pass)
DC AREA
DC AREA
Virginia Tech has entered into an agreement with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that allows eligible students to participate in the University Pass (U-Pass) Program. U-Pass provides full-time Virginia Tech students unlimited access to Metrorail and Metrobus throughout the semester, for about $1 per day. The mandatory fee is included as part of the comprehensive fees package for students.
Benefits
Benefits
Helps save students money on Metro.
Encourages students to use shared transportation, which helps reduce traffic congestion, parking demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
With Metrorail and Metrobus stops conveniently located near all VT locations in Northern Virginia, U-Pass allows for easier and more efficient commutes.
Check out THEIR WEBSITE for more information on how to get it.
Activities
Activities
DC AREA
DC AREA
Review the weekly VT Graduate Student Newsletter for events, deadlines and important campus information
Join VT Greater DC Metro Area GSA (Graduate Student Assembly) and the Facebook Group for VT DC Graduate Students
Explore the many beautiful parks in the D.C. area
There are plenty of shopping areas/centers to explore
BLACKSBURG
BLACKSBURG
Check out this page for a run down on things to do in Blacksburg!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I am interested in obtaining an assistantship?
I am interested in obtaining an assistantship?
The MEng CS degree program is a course - work only degree program. We are NOT able to provide any research or teaching assistantships or other funding opportunities.
I have questions about the program, classes and degree planning?
I have questions about the program, classes and degree planning?
Review the MEng CSA Academic Advisor Hub website for general advising information and links to schedule an appointment with your Advisor
I would like to speak with a current student in the program?
I would like to speak with a current student in the program?
Email one of our MEng CS Graduate Student Ambassadors at mengrep@cs.vt.edu
I am an international student and I have questions regarding my I- 20?
I am an international student and I have questions regarding my I- 20?
Email international@vt.edu
I have questions regarding my tuition?
I have questions regarding my tuition?
Email bursar@vt.edu
REMINDER TO ONLY use VT email when communicating with department and include last four digits ONLY of your 9-digit VT ID number.
REMINDER TO ONLY use VT email when communicating with department and include last four digits ONLY of your 9-digit VT ID number.
Other Important Links to Check Out
Other Important Links to Check Out
Virginia Tech Tuition and Fees 2024-2025 - Graduate Extended or Virtual Campus
Virginia Tech – Transportation Services – University Pass (UPass) Program
Virginia Tech - Master of Engineering in Computer Science
Virginia Tech - MEng CSA Academic Advisor Hub
Virginia Tech – Submitting Official Transcripts
Virginia Tech - Graduate Cost of Attendance
Virginia Tech – Student Medical Insurance
Virginia Tech - Cost, Scholarships, and Aid
Virginia Tech - Computer Science FAQ
Virginia Tech – Academic Calendar
Still didn't find the right resource? Reach out to us! ➡️
Page updated
Report abuse