Welcome International Students We are glad you are here

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Welcome International Students!We are glad you
are here!
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Office of International Student Services

• International Admissions (North Campus)
• Foreign Student Advisor (International Student
  Center)
• International Student Office (International
  Student Center)

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The International Staff

• Dr. Wegert Debbie Web
• Director of International
  Office Manager
• Student Services

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The International Staff

• Sharon Bloomfield Betty Allen
• Assistant Director of International
  Foreign Student Advisor
• Admissions

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The International Staff

• Patrick Hinckley Janice Kim
• International Admissions International
  Admissions
• Specialist Operations Specialist

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Student Workers

• Hana Akiyoshi Mayra Miranda
• Psychology Major- Japan
  International Business Major
• 
  Mexico

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SEVIS Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System

• An internet-based system for data entry and
  tracking of the academic and immigration
  activities of F-1 students
• Electronic tracking from Acceptance through
  program completion and post-graduation employment
  (OPT)
• Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security
  (DHS).
• Information sharing by schools, DHS, and the
  Department of State (embassies and consulates)

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• Designated School Official (DSO)
  responsibilities
• Follow US Government regulations
• Reports to US Government
• Accurate data on SEVIS
• Communicate with students

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• Designated School Officials
• International Student Center
• Betty Allen
• North Campus
• William Wegert
• Patrick Hinckley
• Janice Kim

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How Do We Represent Students Interests

• Attend regional meetings
• Study Regulations
• Communicate with students as information becomes
  available (Email, LU Website)
• Office open for your needs (126 SSC)

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Why knowing about about SEVIS is important

• Achieving your academic goals
• Working in the United States
• Travel outside the United States
• Dependents (spouse and children)
• Your future!

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Communication is the Key!

• Information sharing alerts from SEVIS
• Student DSO communication essential
• I-20s with scanner codes
• Prior approval required for certain academic and
  immigration actions (e.g. drop below full-time
  status)

• Check with your DSO before it is too late!!!

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Data Collection in SEVIS

• Address (U.S. and home country)
• Academic events
• Enrollment each semester (FT/PT, on-line courses)
• Program completion
• Academic/disciplinary actions/criminal conviction
• Termination date and reason
• Information on violation of status

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• Immigration events
• Travel
• Change of status
• Reinstatement to status

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What LU reports in SEVIS

• Your program (degree level major)
• Enrollment (Full-time/Part-time) each semester,
  including beginning and ending dates and next
  semester start date graduation
• Address (home and local)Use ASIST to enter or
  change your local address
• Tell us within 10 days
• Application for employment

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How to stay in compliance

• Hold a valid SEVIS I-20 at all times
• Register FULL-TIME in degree program/major stated
  on I-20
• Receive permission to drop below full-time
  (Submit written request to DSO)
• Keep passport valid at all times

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Staying in compliance-contd

• Do NOT work off campus
• Notify DSO about address changes
• Apply for extension of I-20 or OPT before program
  end date (LU Application for Program Extension)

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Staying in compliance-contd

• Have your I-20 signed by DSO before you leave the
  U.S.
• Only one distance learning course per semester
• Always be covered by health and automobile
  insurance
• Check all your Liberty email! (do not block or
  delete without reading)

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• Student Visa
• (Sticker inside Passport)
• Not a problem if it expires while you remain in
  the U.S.
• Must apply for a new one only if you leave the
  U.S.
• No guarantees if you leave the U.S. without a
  valid visa

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When you come to the International Student Office

• Bring
• Your I-20
• Passport
• I-94 card
• Financial documents, if applicable
• Letter or form you have received from U.S.
  Government

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Definition of FT Enrollment

• 6 credit hours per term for doctoral students
  9 credit hours/semester for masters level
  12 semester hours for undergraduate students
• Must be full-time every semester (including while
  working on dissertation). (No time off)

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Definition of FT Enrollment- continued

• Only one Distance Learning course may be counted
  toward FT enrollment per semester
• Any reduced load must be PRE-approved by a DSO
  (including your final semester of program)

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Work in the U.S.

• On campus 20 hrs/wk during semester is strictly
  enforced violations will be reported to U.S.
  government
• Off campus
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) ? apply before
  completion of program of study
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) ? must have
  an approved internship from the Career Center in
  your area of study
• Severe Economic Hardship ? see DSO first

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Work in the U.S. Optional Practical Training
(OPT)

• Post-completion OPT
• To gain experience in ones field of study
• Must be authorized by US CIS
• Must apply before completion of program
• 12 months available after each degree level
  (bachelors, masters, doctorate)
• must report address changes or changes in
  employment to LU DSOs while on OPT
• must contact DSO before traveling outside the
  U.S.

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Extensions of Completion Date

• I-20 Completion Date- a reasonable estimate
  based on an average student
• LU Program Extension Application must be
  processed at least 30 days before your I-20
  expires (If not, out of status)
• Must have a valid reason for needing extension
• Additional documentation may be required (eg.
  Financial support, Medical, Academic)

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Transferring to Another School

• Tracked in SEVIS
• Complete transfer form within 60 days of Program
  Completion date on Form I-20
• Fill out a Student Transfer Out Form after you
  determine which school you will attend
• LU releases records to new school on release
  date (cannot recover after that)

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Departure Period

• Students who resign or withdraw before completion
  of program must leave the U.S. within 15 days
• You must begin your OPT transfer, leave the U.S.,
  or change to a different visa status within 60
  days of the completion of your program,
• You have 60 days after your OPT to leave the
  U.S., transfer, or change to a different visa
  status

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Dependents

• Spouse and dependent children in F-2 status
• Must have health insurance coverage
• F-2 dependents may not enroll full-time (Must
  change status to F-1 to be full-time student)
• F-2 may not be employed in US

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• U.S. VISIT
• (Visitor Immigration Status Indicator
  Technology)
• New for January, 2004
• Upon entry to the U.S.
• Digital fingerscan
• Digital photograph
• Upon exit from the U.S.
• Digital fingerscan

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Social Security Number U.S. Social Security
Office Hours of Operation Monday Friday 900
a.m. 500 p.m.  Address 7618 Timberlake
RoadLynchburg, VA 24502(located on Timberlake
Road in front of the "Vistas at Dreaming Creek"
Apartments)
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• Social Security Number What to take with you
• Social Security letter (from the Office of
  International Student Admissions)
• SEVIS Form I-20
• Passport
• Form I-94 card
• Liberty University ID (Liberty One) Card

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When you receive a Social Security Number Take
your Social Security Card to the Registrars
Office
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Virginia Drivers License Office location 3236
Odd Fellows RoadLynchburg, VA 24501 Hours Monday
- Friday 800 a.m. - 500 p.m.Saturday 800
a.m. - 1200 p.m.
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• Drivers License
• What to take with you
• Passport
• Form I-20
• Form I-94 card
• Liberty ID (Liberty One) card
• Verification of Enrollment (from Registrar)
• Checkbook or credit card (DMV fees)
• Document with local address (no Box )
• Social Security Card (if you have one)

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• Automobile Registration
• Register your vehicle with LU Police (Main Campus
  Annex)
• Must have automobile insurance!
• Park only in designated spaces

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Student Health Insurance

• 343 spring semester/summer
• Administered by HTH Insurance
• Visit Campus Health Center first
• Brochures available
• Insurance charge posted on your student account
  each semester

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• A few more things
• Post Office Box (LU Post Office)
• Liberty One ID card (Reber-Thomas Dining Hall)
• WE WELCOME YOUR SUGGESTIONS!

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Where Can I Learn More?

• ICE website http//www.ice.gov
• Liberty University http//www.liberty.edu/interna
  tional
• NAFSA Association of International Educators
  http//www.nafsa.org
• Email questions international_at_liberty.edu

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International Student Admissions124 Student
Service Center582-2021

• Dr. William Wegert (Director of International
  Student Services.)
• Mrs. Debbie Webb (Office Manager)
• Mrs. Betty Allen (Foreign Student Advisor)

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Check your email Stay in touch! We care about
you.