Savannah College of Art and Design
Travel guide for Indian students — Savannah, United States. Nearest international gateway: SAV (Savannah).
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a large private art and design university with its main campus in historic Savannah, Georgia (plus locations in Atlanta, Hong Kong and France). It draws an international creative community across design, animation, film, fashion and the arts.
SCAD's main campus is woven through historic downtown Savannah, about 8-11 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), the gateway airport, roughly 17 minutes by road.
SCAD's Savannah campus has an international creative community across design, animation, film and fashion, spread through the city's historic district. The local airport is close and easy.
From SAV to campus
Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) is only about 8-11 miles from the downtown campus, roughly a 17-minute taxi or rideshare (~$45-55). Savannah's Chatham Area Transit (CAT) also runs buses from the airport area into downtown; SCAD additionally operates its own student shuttle network around the campus district.
Other airports
For more flight options, Hilton Head (HHH, ~26 miles) and Charleston (CHS, ~84 miles) are alternatives; Jacksonville (JAX, ~115 miles) is further south. For most arrivals, SAV is by far the simplest.
Getting around Savannah
SCAD's free shuttle connects its buildings across the historic district, and the compact, walkable downtown plus CAT buses cover the rest. Many students get by without a car.
Visiting your child at SCAD Savannah means flying into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), about 8-11 miles from the downtown campus. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.
Getting from SAV to campus
Visitor visa for parents
Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.
- Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
- You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
- The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
- Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.
Just admitted to SCAD? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India.
Arrival checklist
- Book your flight into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) - ~8-11 miles from the downtown campus.
- From SAV, a taxi/rideshare is simplest (~$45-55); CAT buses are the budget option.
- Once enrolled, use SCAD's free shuttle and walk the historic district.
- Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
- Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.
Savannah, home to SCAD, is a historic coastal city at about the US average for cost - roughly $1,300-1,900 a month all-in sharing and cooking. SCAD's campus is woven through the downtown Historic District, which is walkable, and Georgia's CAT buses cover the city.
Monthly cost of living in Savannah (a student estimate)
That's roughly $15,000-22,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.
Finding accommodation
SCAD has no traditional central campus - its buildings are spread through Savannah's Historic District, so students live among the historic squares and nearby neighbourhoods.
- CAT buses serve the city, with a fare-free zone downtown.
- SCAD's buildings are scattered - pick housing near your department's buildings.
- The SCAD Express shuttle links student housing and academic buildings.
Working part-time
On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.
Safety & student support
Savannah and its SCAD campus areas are generally safe by US standards; use normal awareness at night.
- SCAD runs a security escort, safety app and (often) campus shuttles - save the campus safety number.
- The campus and main student areas are busy and well-populated.
- As a tourist city, keep normal awareness in busy downtown and riverfront areas at night.
Indian community & food
Savannah has a modest Indian community; SCAD's international students find groceries in town, with larger desi scenes a drive away.
Indian grocery stores
- Indian and South Asian grocers in the Savannah area carry spices and staples.
- Mainstream Kroger and Publix stores have a basic international aisle.
- Jacksonville, FL (~2.5 hrs) has large Indian supermarkets (Patel Brothers) for a bulk run.
Student community
- SCAD's international and South Asian student groups run cultural nights including Diwali.
- The international student office supports new arrivals.
- A handful of Indian restaurants in Savannah serving the student community.
Cost & living figures for Savannah last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.
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