Critical Issues for Academic Advisors of F-1 & J-1 International

Students

Presented by the International Student and Scholar Office

(ISSO)

Who is an F-1 or J-1 Student?

n  The non-immigrant visa categories issued by U.S. Consulates abroad for those who seek to come to the U.S. specifically for the purpose of study.

Immigration Terminology n  DHS: Department of Homeland Security

(formerly INS) n  Visa: the travel document issued by U.S.

Department of State for travel into the U.S. (the visa may expire while in the U.S. but does not determine status)

n  Status: what you hold once you enter the U.S. For F-1 students, D/S “duration of status” is marked on their I-94 record

n  I-94: the arrival/departure record

Immigration Terminology

n  SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System): tracking system used by U.S. government for all F-1 and J-1 international students.

n  I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1): document issued by ISSO upon admission for purpose of visa interview and entry to the U.S.

Timeline for New F-1/J-1 Students Coming from Abroad

n  Student works with International Admissions on application & supporting documents, including proof of financial resources.

n  Once admitted and file is complete, the ISSO creates I-20 or DS-2019.

n  I-20 or DS-2019 and orientation material mailed to student.

n  Student applies for F-1 or J-1 visa at US consulate.

n  Student enters U.S. up to 30 days prior to start of semester.

Role & Function of the ISSO

n  Serves as the Designated School Officials (DSOs) for F-1 students and issues form I-20 immigration document.

n  Serves as the Responsible Officers (ROs) for J-1 students/scholars and issues form DS-2019 immigration document.

Role & Function of the ISSO

n  Responsible for compliance with government immigration regulations for all F-1 and J-1 exchange students and visiting scholars at UNC Charlotte.

n  Makes regular reports to DHS via SEVIS in the areas of enrollment, changes in address & biographical information.

Role & Function of the ISSO

n  Provides programs, general advising, and services for all non-immigrant international students upon arrival and throughout their programs.

Role & Function of the ISSO

n  Works with departments and offices across campus on issues unique to F-1, J-1 such as… • Health insurance requirement • On and off-campus employment issues • Fulltime enrollment requirement

Role & Function of the ISSO

n  Assists students in maintaining legal F-1 status.

Maintenance of Status

n  Must be enrolled “fulltime” each semester. • Undergrads = 12 credit hrs. • Grads = 9 credit hrs, 6 with

assistantship, or upon completion of required coursework continuous registration for “thesis/project” or “residency” as determined by the Graduate School.

• Online enrollment limited to 3 hrs/semester – none in final term.

Maintenance of Status n  Valid reasons to authorize less than

fulltime requirement include the following… • Documented illness or medical condition •  Initial difficulty with the English language •  Initial difficulty with reading requirements • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods •  Improper course level placement • To complete course of study in current

term

Maintenance of Status

n  Keep I-20 or DS-2019 valid by… • completing studies prior to expiration

date or; • requesting timely program extension • making timely updates such as changes

in educational level, program of study, or transfer to another school

Maintenance of Status n  Report changes of address within 10 days of a

move. n  Limit on-campus work to 20 hrs/week (during

academic year). n  Obtain authorization for any off-campus

employment •  Curricular Practical Training •  Optional Practical Training •  Academic Training (J-1 only) •  Severe Economic Hardship

n  Depart the U.S. within 60 days of program completion or apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training.

F1 Curricular Practical Training

F1 Curricular Practical Training University of North Carolina at Charlotte International Student and Scholar Office

College of Health & Human Services, Room 202 intlsso@uncc.edu Tel: (704) 687-7781 www.isso.uncc.edu

F1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Via the Academic Department Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students who satisfy graduation requirements of his/her program as outlined in the eligibility requirements below. CPT must be an integral part of a student’s program of study, and may involve an internship, practicum or field experience. International students may NOT participate in an internship or any other form of off-campus employment without prior authorization from the ISSO. The ISSO offers regularly scheduled workshops to explain CPT and students are strongly encouraged to attend one in order to learn more about the process. Eligibility requirements:

• the student has been enrolled fulltime for 1 full academic year (excluding summer) and currently holds valid F1 status AND

• the student is in good academic standing AND • the internship is a required component of a course in their major field of study that will count

toward their graduation requirements OR the internship is required for a graduate student to complete the dissertation or thesis

Fulltime enrollment clarification: CPT authorization is not a sufficient reason to drop below the fulltime study requirement for F1 students, nor delay graduation or interfere with normal academic progress. Therefore, CPT employment authorization is restricted to part-time (20 hrs/week) during fall/spring semesters with exceptions limited those listed below. Online course enrollment is limited to 3 credit hours per semester and is not an option for students who have one course remaining in their degree program. Fulltime employment clarification: Fulltime CPT employment may be authorized only under the following circumstances:

• Summer break • Fall/spring semesters ONLY for:

o Master’s students whose final course of study has a fulltime work requirement OR o Doctoral students in dissertation status who have successfully completed all coursework

requirements and defended dissertation proposal

This form provides the information necessary to establish the academic nature of the proposed CPT employment. Before completing this form the student should meet with the academic advisor and present the internship offer letter. If the internship experience does not satisfy one of the above listed categories, students should talk with an ISSO advisor regarding other possible options. A completed application includes the following:

ü Completed student application ü Signed MOU ü Signed advisor recommendation form ü Offer of employment on letter head with the following information:

o Prospective CPT employer’s name o Physical location/address of proposed internship (no P.O.Boxes) o Position title and description

F1 Curricular Practical Training PART 2 (to be completed by the student’s Academic Advisor or Graduate Coordinator): Student’s name: ____________________________________________________________________ The proposed employment satisfies one of the following eligibility criteria for CPT authorization (please check one and provide requested additional information). □ The proposed employment is required by a course in which the student will receive academic credit towards graduation.

• Please provide the course number and title: _____________________________

OR □ The proposed employment is required in order to complete dissertation research. (Ph.D. only)

If so, please explain how the proposed employment is essential for the development of the dissertation. _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Ph.D. only: a. Expected completion date of coursework: _____________ a. Expected defense date of dissertation proposal: ____________________________________

b. Expected date of graduation: ________________________________ Please also answer yes or no to the following questions:

1. Based on your review of the student’s offer letter, is this work related to the student’s field of study?

□ yes □ no

2. Do you foresee this work opportunity impacting or delaying the student’s academic progress and anticipated graduation date? □ yes □ no

As the academic advisor, I hereby certify that I have read the job offer letter and consider the above curricular practical training experience to be an integral part of the student’s program of study. I understand that CPT should be used only to meet degree requirements, is not meant to be a convenient employment opportunity, and may not delay completion of the academic program. I certify the above information is true and accurate. __________________________________________________ ___________ Advisor’s Signature Name (printed) Date OR _________________________________________________________ ___________ Grad. Coordinator Signature Name (printed) Date

OPT Recommendation Form

Some other critical issues for international students…

n  Obtaining a North Carolina driver’s license

n  Obtaining a Social Security Number n  Opening a bank account n  Adjusting to English language, U.S.

academic & social environment

Some classroom issues for international students and faculty… n  Requesting more time on exams n  Taking a dictionary to exams n  Recording class lectures n  Difficulty participating in group

discussions n  Confusion about academic integrity

rules/regulations

Critical Roles for Academic Advisors

n  For graduate students, make timely admissions & funding decisions in order to ensure timely processing of I-20s and visa interviews abroad

n  Assist students in enrolling in a full course of study and refer them to the ISSO for any exceptions PRIOR to dropping below fulltime or withdrawing from the university

Critical Roles for Academic Advisors

n  Always refer international students to the ISSO for information on off-campus work authorization; violations are NOT forgiven by DHS.

Critical Roles for Academic Advisors

n  Be aware of issues & challenges that are unique to F-1 students both upon arrival and throughout their academic programs.

n  Always feel free to reach out to the ISSO staff to consult on a challenging situation or get perspective.

International Student and Scholar Office Contact Information

CHHS Room 202 704-687-7781 www.isso.uncc.edu n  Tarek Elshayeb, Director

•  telshaye@uncc.edu

n  Denise Medeiros, Assistant Director •  dvmedei@uncc.edu