Office of International Student Services

1
Office of International Student Services
2
International Student Services Staff

• Jan Swann, Director
• Lisa (Reed) Gibson, Assistant Director
• Will Crites, Admission Coordinator
• Vicki Elders, Administrative Secretary
• Doris Beecher, Part-time Admin. Clerk
• Part-time students (4)

3
Processing International Applications and
Admissions
4
International Application Deadlines

• All applicants outside and within the U.S. will
  be required to meet the
• same deadlines for 2007-2008
• Deadline for Application and ALL required
  documents
• Fall Semester May 1  
• Spring Semester September 1

5
Required Application Materials

• International Application
• 50 application fee
• Transcripts
• Proof of English
• TOEFL, IELTS, ELI Completion
• Graduate Test Scores (if required)
• GRE or GMAT
• Financial documentation
• Statement of Financial Support (form or letter)
• Sponsors Bank Statement

6
Evaluation of Application Files

• Determine if the Institution is recognized or
  accredited
• NAFSA/AACRAO References
• Internet websites and list-serves
• Professional Contacts
• Credential Evaluation Services
• Verify Bachelors degree equivalency if graduate
  applicant.
• Calculate GPA

7
Evaluation of Application Files

• Research the countrys educational system.
• Sources include
• International Grade Conversions Guidebook
• NAFSA/AACRAO Reference Library
• Internet websites and list-serves
• Professional contacts
• Credential Evaluation Services
• For transfer students a formula must be used to
  convert credits to U.S. credits

8
Evaluation of Application Files

• For Graduate Students Only-
• Complete Credential Evaluation Form for graduate
  applicants
• Forward to Graduate College to forward to the
  department for an admission decision
• Transfer equivalencies must be determined
• Based on course titles or course descriptions or
  syllabi if available
• Usually have a lot of departmental electives

9
When a Student is Admitted We

• Check financial documentation
• Personal/Sponsor Funding or Scholarship
• Write admission letter
• Create Immigration form
• Mail admission packet by DHL
• Approx. 3-5 days to reach the students country.

10
ISS Database Functions

• Initial E-mail
• Weekly E-mail Updates
• File complete and gone to evaluator
• File sent to Graduate College for graduate
  applicants
• File returned from Graduate College for graduate
  applicants
• Admitted or denied
• Admission letter and I-20 sent

11
Student Receives Admission Packet

• Apply for Student Travel Visa (Visa fee US 100)

• Pay SEVIS fee (additional US 100)
• Make appointments
• often available only weeks to months in advance.

• Travel to Consulate (often in other cities)
• NOTE
• Students are not guaranteed a visa
• Some students must make multiple appointments
  before obtaining the visa

• Find affordable plane tickets
• often available only months in advance

12
Timing is Crucial

• Visa and travel arrangements require a minimum of
  2-3 months advance planning
• Visa granted for a specific school, difficult to
  change
• Students may receive admission packets from
  several schools
• Students usually apply for visa based on first
  admission packet received

13
Student Arrival Orientation

• Student should notify ISS of arrival plans
• Student must arrive by program start date
• Intl Student Recruitment Team (ISRT) arranges
  transportation to campus

• ISS coordinates with campus offices Res. Life,
  Dining Services, SOAR, etc.
• No Campus Temp. Housing available in January
• Student allowed to register for classes only
  after attending International Student Orientation.

14
International Encumbrances

• IN First-time students for Orientation and
  copies of immigration documents
• May be used for other immigration issues
• IT After registration for first semester
• Sometimes takes several
• semesters to clear
• EN English Language Institute

15
Maintaining SEVIS ComplianceImmigration
Regulations

16
Enrollment Requirements

• Full-time is
• 12 hrs for undergraduate students
• 9 hrs for graduate students (6 hrs for grads with
  a G.A.)
• A student is considered Out of Status
• When they enroll less than or drop below
  full-time without PRIOR approval of ISS
• Under-enrollment permission
• Can be obtained during a students first semester
  or last semester with Academic Advisors
  signature.

17
Under-enrollment Permissions

• Permission can also be granted for
• academic difficulty due to improper placement in
  the class
• ONLY ONCE per program level
• Requires Acad. Advisors signature.
• illness or medical condition
• Maximum total of 12 months.
• Must be reauthorized by the DSO each semester.
• Reduced course load must consist of at least half
  of the credits required for a full course load
  (excluding last semester)
• Undergraduate 6 credits
• Graduate 5 credits

18
Exception Form

• Used for under-enrollment and dual enrollment
  approval.
• MUST be signed by academic advisor if requested
  for academic reasons
• Must be submitted to ISS PRIOR to dropping below
  or enrolling less than full-time.

19
Online Courses

• Students are allowed to take only one on-line or
  distance learning course (no more than 3 credit
  hours) per semester as part of their full-time
  course load.
• A second on-line course may be taken in addition
  to full-time enrollment.
• Students may enroll in any number of on-line
  courses during the summer (summer course
  enrollment is not required).

20
Eight Status Maintenance Tips

• Report to ISS within 30 days of each semester
  start date and attend the school for which the
  visa was issued for at least one semester.
• Pursue a full course of study at the school
  listed on the I-20 every semester unless given an
  exception in advance by ISS.
• Make normal progress toward completing the course
  of study prior to the expiration of the I-20 (or
  request an extension).
• Request ISS to issue a new I-20 for change of
  level.

21
Eight Status Maintenance Tips

• 5. Follow proper procedures for transfer of
  schools.
• 6. Report a change of address to ISS within 10
  days
• of the change.
• Abide by any special requirements, such as
  Special
• Registration requirements (certain countries).
• 8. Not work, either on-or off-campus, unless
  specifically
• authorized under the regulations.

22
Failure to Maintain Status

• Students who fail to maintain status lose the
  privileges of their student visa status and
  become subject to deportation.

23
Practical Training Regulations

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Internship--must be either for credit or required
  of every student completing the program
• Part-time or full-time
• Can do full-time during a regular semester with
  no other concurrent enrollment with an Exception
  Form
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Total of twelve months of optional practical
  training following program completion per
  education level, i.e. Bachelors, Masters

24
How can you help?

• Quickly refer any questions or problems to the
  ISS staff.
• Be proactive.
• Help students plan course schedules carefully.
• Plan early for internships (CPT) see Career
  Center early.
• Be aware students must maintain full-time
  enrollment.
• Allow ISS staff extra time for processing new
  SEVIS forms.