|
Orientation Sessions
In order to assist you in getting to know NEIU and understanding your responsibilities in maintaining your F-1 student status and the expectations of the Office of International Programs, we have scheduled the following orientation sessions. Attendance at the orientation session designated for your term of admission in mandatory for both initial admits (students coming from outside the U.S.) and transfer students. Failure to attend the orientation will result in a regstration hold remaining or being placed on your student record. For directions to the campus and a campus map, click here
.
Summer IA and IB 2008 terms :
General Orientation
(transfer students for SMR 1A/B and initial admits for SMR 1A/B and II)
Tuesday, 13 May 2008, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, SU 215
Summer II 2008 terms :
General Orientation
(transfer students and initial admits for SMR II)
Tuesday, 25 June 2008, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Golden Eagles Room
Fall 2008 term :
Initial Admits
Wednesday, 30 July 2008, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Golden Eagles Room
General orientation (transfer students and any late arriving initial
admits)
Friday, 22 August 2008, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Golden Eagles Room
Spring 2009 terms :
Initial Admits
Monday, 15 December 2008, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, SU 214
General orientation (transfer students and any late arriving initial admits)
Friday, 9 January 2009, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Golden Eagles Room
Maintaining F-1 Status
It is very important for you to observe the following immigration regulations
in order to avoid problems with your F-1 status:
Maintain a valid passport at all times.
Attend the university/college you are authorized
to attend.
Maintain full time enrollment (12 credit hours
for undergraduate students, 9 credit hours for graduate students).
Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours a week
during the academic year. (Full-time on-campus employment is permitted
during vacation periods, such as summer, as long as you are enrolled
full-time the term before and intend to be full-time the following
term.)
Never work off-campus without authorization.
Limit off-campus employment with authorization (through economic
hardship or practical training) to 20 hours per week while school
is in session.
Apply for program extensions at least one month
before the completion date on the Form I-20.
Follow procedures for changing from one program
or educational level to another (e.g., from B.A. degree to M.A.
degree).
Report to the Office of International Programs
any of the following events within 10 days of their occurrence:
-
Change of address, major field of study, or change in financial situation
Termination of studies: withdrawal date and reason
Transfer to another school: for which term and to which school
-
On-campus or off-campus employment: employer's name and address,
job description, hours per week, start date and end date
Authorization to Drop Below Full-time Enrollment
In general, permission to register for less than full-time for an
international student should occur rarely. By immigration law the
international student must pursue a full course of study during
each fall and spring semester. Full-course of study (or full-time
study) is defined in regulations as follows:
Undergraduate Student: at least 12 credit hours per semester
Graduate Student: at least 9 credit hours per semester
Exceptions to full course of study include:
-
The student is having difficulty with the English language, or is
unfamiliar with American teaching methods, during the 1st semester only.
-
The student has been placed in the improper course level (it
can only occur once in the same program)
The student needs less than a full course load to finish the
degree program during his/her last semester.
-
The student has a temporary illness or medical
problem (medical documentation is substantial) for a period
of time not to exceed an aggregate of twelve months.
An international student must make an appointment to see an international
student advisor to request authorization to drop below
full-time enrollment. An international student
should avoid at all costs dropping below full-time enrollment prior
to obtain the authorization.
Program Extension
A letter from the student's academic advisor, verifying the new expected
date of program completion and the reason for the delay, and new financial
documentation are required. The student's request for extension
must be made and granted prior to the program end date on the Form I-20.
Curricular Practical Training
-
CPT may be authorized for an international student who has been full-time
enrolled for one full academic year (fall and spring).
Curricular Practical Training is defined to be any type of
internship or practicum which is an integral part of an established
curriculum.
-
A request for authorization for curricular practical training
must be made to the international student advisor. A student may
not begin curricular practical training until receiving his/her
I-20 with the international student advisor's endorsement.
-
Students who have received one year or more full-time curricular
practical training are ineligible for post-completion practical
training (i.e., Optional Practical Training).
CPT Instructions
CPT Advisor's Form
Optional Practical Training
-
An international student, who has been maintaining his/her status
for at least one full academic year, may apply to the USCIS for
authorization for temporary employment for practical training directly
related to the student’s major area of study.
-
For instructions and a list of documents to be sent to the USCIS, please Click here.
-
The student may not begin optional practical training until
the date indicated on his/her employment authorization (EAD) card.
-
Optional Practical Training must be requested prior to the
completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior
to the completion of the course of study. A student must complete
all practical training within a 14-month period following the completion
of study. Authorization to engage in practical training employment
is automatically terminated when the student transfers to another
school or begins study at another education level.
-
Students in some disciplines are allowed to apply for an extension of post-completion OPT in certain circumstances. Click here for more information.
For the application for the request for extension of I-20 Completion Date, Click here
Return to top of page
|
