iSTART Registration

Important: iSTART should be completed Before your Post-Arrival Status Check-In. ISTART is mandatory for those students who will be coming to the U.S. to attend in-person classes. If you are unsure whether you should take iSTART, contact the appropriate visa unit. Newly admitted F-1 students email uclai20@saonet.ucla.edu and J-1 students email dcissj1unit@saonet.ucla.edu. The $59 iSTART fee is a one-time fee paid by incoming international students. It will be added to your BruinBill as DCISS-Orientation.

Register for iSTART

ISTART Fee Description

The iSTART fee is a one-time fee paid by incoming international students. It will be added to your BruinBill as DCISS-Orientation. iSTART includes an orientation, social and cultural activities and programs to foster cross-cultural friendship, and offers services related to required visa and immigration compliance. The fee supports operating expenses for services related to the psychological health and well-being of international students during their transition to the U.S. and campus life. The amount of the iSTART fee is determined through an audit of expenses incurred for the above programs and services and is set by Sales & Services of UCLA Corporate Accounting. Fees are subject to change without notice.

Although you are consenting to add the iSTART charge to your BruinBill when you begin iSTART, the charges may not be posted to your BruinBill account until later in the quarter. Please make sure you are always aware of charges on your BruinBill so you do not incur late fees for non-payment of charges.

*Note: The cost of attending the UCLA First-Year Student, Transfer Student or Graduate Student Orientation is NOT included in the price of iSTART, that fee must be paid separately when you register for your UCLA orientation.