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International Center

Bringing the World to UT Dallas—And UT Dallas to the World

The International Center expands global access and opportunities for the UT Dallas community, fostering international education that enriches students, faculty, and staff alike. Through strategic partnerships at home and abroad, we support the success of international students and scholars while creating safe, meaningful ways for the UTD community to engage with peers and colleagues worldwide.

The UT Dallas International Center is composed of five key offices: the Office of International Education, the International Students and Scholars Office, the Office of Immigrant and Citizenship Services, the Passport Office, and International Initiatives. Together, we empower global connections, academic excellence, and cross-cultural understanding.

The International Center is fundraising for 4 key initiatives: 

  • The UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF)
  • The Gift of Travel Fund
  • The Comet Care Fund (CCF)
  • International Education

The UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF)

The UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) provides limited financial assistance to UT Dallas international students facing unforeseen circumstances that threaten their ability to remain enrolled and continue their education. This fund addresses financial needs that, if unmet, could impede a student’s educational journey, immigration status, immigration benefits or delay their path to graduation.

Our immediate funding priorities:

  • Continue to fund 100% of the USCIS application costs for all students applying for humanitarian relief, including Special Student Relief and Severe Economic Hardship work authorization, as well as USCIS application fees for reinstatement of immigration status.
  • Fund the cost of OPT application fees for graduating students who would otherwise not be able to afford it and would miss the valuable opportunity to apply the knowledge they learned in their degree via U.S. work experience.
  • Continue to provide assistance to students facing unexpected medical expenses, students facing short term food insecurity, tuition and fee support to prevent dropped courses due to non-payment, and support for students who have been victims of scams and other crimes.

Your support will keep students on track toward graduation and strengthen the international community at UT Dallas so that international students may focus on their goals and contribute to the campus in meaningful ways.

The Gift of Travel Fund

The Gift of Travel Fund provides financial assistance to UT Dallas students seeking their first U.S. passport, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of global opportunities. A passport opens doors to study abroad, career development, personal growth, and even reconnecting with family abroad.   

Our immediate funding priorities:

  • Cover 100% of the $165 application and execution fees for eligible students facing financial hardship.  
  • Remove financial barriers that prevent students from studying abroad and gaining global experiences.  
  • Empower students with resources and guidance to help them take the next step in their international education journey.  

Our fundraising goal is to fully cover passport application costs for up to 20 students who would otherwise be unable to afford this essential travel document. This support enables students to embrace new opportunities, enrich their education, and broaden their horizons. 

Give the gift of travel and help students take their first step toward a world of possibilities.

The UT Dallas OICS Comet Care Fund (CCF)

The UT Dallas OICS Comet Care Fund (CCF) provides financial assistance to immigrant students facing hardships related to their immigration or citizenship status. This fund ensures that students have the support they need to continue their education and succeed at UT Dallas.  

Our immediate funding priorities:

  • Cover critical immigration application fees for students seeking permanent residency, work authorization, or other legal protections.   
  • Provide emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected hardships that threaten their ability to stay enrolled.  
  • Offer support for students navigating legal or financial barriers related to their immigration or citizenship status.  

This fund serves as a lifeline for immigrant students, allowing them to focus on their education and contribute to the UT Dallas community. Your support can make a lasting impact—help us ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Help UTD Students Study Abroad

Studying abroad significantly enhances UTD students' personal and academic growth, and fosters adaptability, language skills, and global awareness.

The Office of International Education is raising funds for these opportunities is essential to make them accessible to all students, regardless of financial background. Investing in international education benefits both the individual and the broader community.  


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Comets Giving Days Pre-Giving Days Match
Comets Giving Days has experienced success for the last eight years thanks to all of its donors! You've given before and we want you to be our VIPs this year. Make a gift of $25 before April 9, using the pre-giving day page (giving.utdallas.edu/cometsgivingdays) and have it counted and matched during Comets Giving Days! It doesn't matter where you give, your $25 gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, making a $50 impact!
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Alumni Power Hours
Alumni are fearless supporters of Comets Giving Days, helping lead the way for the next generation of Comets! All alumni gifts of $9 to $25 made on April 9 from 6-10 p.m. will receive a dollar-to-dollar match, up to $2,500. Double your impact with this match and help your favorite group reach the top of the alumni leaderboard.
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Parent Match
Parents it's your time to shine! All parent gifts of $9 to $25, given on April 9-10, will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1,000.
$25,000
Jindal School Alumni Challenge
When 25 Jindal School unique alumni make a gift to the Jindal School on Comets Giving Days, an additional $25,000 will be unlocked and given to a Jindal School Fellowship, thanks to the support of the Friends of Fu Jen Catholic University
25 Donor Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Academic Departments and Programs Bonus
For every group on this leaderboard who reaches their goal, an additional $100 will be given to that department/program!
Departments/Programs (14)
Leaderboard
Most Student Gifts Leaderboard - Departments
The UT Dallas department that receives the most gifts from students will receive an additional $250 in bonus funds! Students, let's get involved and excited!
Leaderboard
9 Gifts By Noon
Each group that has a minimum of 9 gifts by noon on day one (April 9) will be eligible to receive an additional $250 in bonus funds. The winner will be chosen at random.
Group (124)
Leaderboard
27 Gifts by 10 p.m.
Whether you've hit the first two milestones of the day or not, no one is counted out! All groups who have received a minimum of 27 gifts before 10 p.m. on day one (April 9) will be eligible to receive a randomly selected $250 in bonus funds!
Department (124)
Event
Door Decorating Contest
Back by popular demand! Any group at UT Dallas can participate and win bonus funds for the area they wish to support on Comets Giving Days! Doors must include Comets Giving Days artwork and #COMETogetherUTD and #InMyGivingEra to be eligible. Email a photo of your door to alumni@utdallas.edu by March 31. Decorated doors will go head-to-head to receive the most likes. Voting will be open Sunday, April 6 through Thursday, April 10 at noon. The winner and bonus funds awarded will be announced at the Reputation celebration concert on April 10.
Event
#InMyGivingEra Kickoff Bingo and Breakfast
Join us for this invite-only event as we kick off the ninth annual Comets Giving Days. When you join this event, you will receive a complimentary breakfast while learning about this year's Comets Giving Days groups and the impact that Comets Giving Days has had on UT Dallas over the years. Attendees will also be eligible to win $1,000 in bonus funds through friendly games of BINGO! Bonus fund winner will need to be present at the breakfast.
Event
55th Gift Bonus
UT Dallas is now 55 years old! Make the 55th gift and receive an extra $25 in bonus funds to the area of your choosing.
Event
1,969 Gift Bonus
UT Dallas was established in 1969 by founders Eugene McDermott, Erik Jonsson and Cecil Green. Make the 1,969th gift of the day and earn an extra $100 to designate to your UTD area of choice.
Event
3,041 Gift Bonus
Celebrate your giving era! Comets Giving Days 2024 reached 3,040 gifts so let's top that! Make the 3,041st gift of the event, and you will be able to allocate $250 to your favorite participating group!
Event
#COMETogetherUTD Challenge
Use the #COMETogetherUTD and tell us who you're supporting on Comets Giving Days and you might just win $50 in bonus funds!
Event
Last Gift Bonus
Be truly legendary! Make the last gift when the clock strikes 6:49 p.m. on April 10 and you will win an additional $250 for your favorite group!
Event
Chiloso Lunch and Learn Bonus
Enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by Chiloso! Join us for this student, pre-registration-required event on April 9 to learn more about Comets Giving Days and all the ways to participate as well as hear from the UCC team about how to negotiate your best salary. Registration is taking place on Handshake and will close when the event reaches 100 registrants. By attending this event, you will also be eligible to win your group $250 in bonus funds!
Event
You Belong With Me Challenge
Digital ambassadors who have at least one person use their unique URL and make a gift during Comets Giving Days will be eligible to win $250 in bonus funds! Winner will be chosen at random.
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Faculty and Staff Workday Power Hours
Are you ready for it UTD employees? On April 9, during work hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., all faculty and staff gifts of $9 to $25 will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,500. Now is the time to double your impact!
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Soon-to-be Alumni Match
Are you graduating in spring 2025? We've got a special match just for you! All gifts of $2 to $25 given by spring 2025 grads will be doubled, up to $2,500.
$250
UTDISEF Challenge
Student support is all around us at UTD. This Comets Giving Days, we're bridging the gap for our students. Be a fearless leader in helping and help unlock bonus funds. For every 25 unique donors who give to UTDISEF, regardless of amount, an additional $250 will be unlocked and given to the International Student Emergency Fund.
25 Donor Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Centers Leaderboard Bonus
For every group on this leaderboard who reaches their unique donor goal, an additional $100 will be given, thanks to the generosity supporting our various centers across campus!
Centers (19)
Leaderboard
Most Alumni Gifts Leaderboard - Departments
The UT Dallas department that receives the most gifts from alumni will receive an additional $250 in bonus funds! Get your alumni involved and excited!
Leaderboard
Most Faculty/Staff Gifts Leaderboard - Departments
The UT Dallas department that receives the most gifts from faculty and staff will receive an additional $250 in bonus funds!
Department (50)
Leaderboard
18 Gifts by 4 p.m.
Let's keep a good thing going. All groups that receive at least 18 gifts by 4 p.m. on day one (April 9) will be eligible to win an additional $250 in bonus funds. Winner will be chosen at random.
Group (124)
Leaderboard
Undergrad/Grad Leaderboard
It's a competition of the eras! Let's see who shines this Comets Giving Days with the most alumni, undergraduate vs. graduate degrees!
Event
Reputation Concert
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we close out the ninth annual Comets Giving Days on April 10. Celebrate the incredible impact giving days has on our students and campus with our first-ever giving days concert featuring Reputation: A Tribute to the Music of Taylor Swift! To RSVP visit https://alumni.utdallas.edu/connect/events/.
Event
1st Gift Bonus
When the clock strikes 10 a.m. on April 9, be the first to make a gift and win an additional $25 in bonus funds for the area of your choice!
Event
883rd Gift Bonus
You've probably seen this number on our website or all over campus. It's on our buses and at the beginning of every University phone number. Because of this connection, the person who makes the 883rd gift of the day will win an extra $25 to support his or her area of choice.
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2,025 Gift Bonus
The person who makes the 2,025th gift on Comets Giving Days will add an extra $25 to their area of support!
Event
Comet Caller Challenge
For every 25 gifts that UT Dallas Comet Call engagement representatives receive during Comets Giving Days, an additional $250 will be awarded to the Comet Cupboard. Alumni answer the call!
Event
#InMyGivingEra Challenge
Use the #InMyGivingEra and tell us why you're joining our giving era in 2025 and you might just win $50 in bonus funds!
Event
Reputation Concert Bonus
Join us for this open to all concert as we celebrate the close of our ninth annual Comets Giving Days. When you attend the concert and get checked in, you will receive a complimentary #COMETogetherUTD glow bracelet (while supplies last) AND be eligible to win more than $250 in bonus funds that will be announced during the concert. You don't want to miss this show!
Event
Light Up the Map Challenge
Calling alumni and friends from all 50 states! When the U.S. map is filled with a gift from every state, two $500 bonus funds will be awarded. The bonus fund winners — one student organization and one departmental group — will be announced during the Reputation concert on April 10.
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Or you can contact us at giving@utdallas.edu.