Welcome to NSU!

Office of International AffairsSummer 2012

Office of International Affairs

Mission

The mission of the Office of International Affairs is to develop, facilitate, and oversee high quality innovative international programs, initiatives and partnerships by providing leadership, coordination, and service to students and faculty both on and off campus.

Office of International Students and

Scholars

OISSJim Vatral

Deborah Pabon5 student workers

Office of Student AffairsOSA

Office of International AffairsOIA

Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, Executive DirectorAlejandra Parra, M.A., Associate Director

Nova International

Student Association

NISA

NSU Schools, Colleges, and

Centers

Office of Enrollment and Student Services ESS

NSU Overall Facts and Figures

International Enrollment on campus: over 1,100 students (student visa)

124 countries represented on campus

(Spring 2012)

NSU in the world....

AsiaThe

Caribbean

Europe

Latin America

Africa

USA

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

Africa

Asia

Caribbean

Europe

Middle East

North Americ

a

Oceania

Central/S

outh Americ

a0

50

100

150

200

250

56

221 221

171

94

159

9

206

Where are our international students from?

(Spring 2012)

Interesting Facts about International Students at NSU…

Bache-lor's

Degree 29%(320)

Master's Degree 36%(404)

Doctoral Degree

35%(397)

Bachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreeDoctoral Degree

(Spring 2012)

International students in the world…

Africa (2)0%

Asia (65)7%

Caribbean (499)56%

Eu-rope (61)3%

Middle East (12)1%

North Amer-

ica (36)4%

Central/South America (242)

27%

Africa (2)Asia (65)Caribbean (499)Europe (61)Middle East (12)North America (36)Oceania (0)Central/South America (242)

(Spring 2012)

Total: 901 students

in

online programs international cohorts

International students in the world…

(Spring 2012)

Office of InternationalStudents and Scholars

MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL STATUS

WHAT IS “VISA STATUS”?

A status granted by the United States Custom and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the port of entry. This status is stamped (or written) on your Admission and Departure Card (I-94).

AFTER YOU ARRIVE:Check-In at the Office of International Students and Scholars and bring your:• I-20• Passport• Visa• I-94 Card• Local Address• Local Phone Number• Nova email address• Certificate of Virtual Pre-arrival Orientation

IT’S EASY TO MAINTAINYOUR LEGAL STATUS

What document gives you your legal status as an F-1 Student?

Entry Date

Status

Limitation of Stay

11 Digit number

I-94 CARD

Port of Entry

Usually SEVIS N# Printed Here

I-94 CARD (Back)

I-94 CARD

One of your most important

documents. Keep in a safe

place. Replacing it is costly.

What is SEVIS?

Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

SEVIS I-20

SEVIS I-20Academic Level

Academic Program

Length of Program

Initial attendance/Continued attendance/Transfer in progress

SEVIS I-20

This area may or may not be stamped by immigration.

Information recorded in SEVIS and reported to USCIS

• Dropping below full course load• Authorized vacations• Failure to enroll in classes• Termination of program (graduation; withdrawal)

• Change of address for F-1 and F-2’s

• Program start/end dates• Term start/end dates• Educational level• Program or major• Program extension• Transfer to/from NSU• Off-campus employment/employer

information

Maintaining legal F1 status

• Passport – valid for at least six months into the future

• Local Address – report any address change to the OISS within 10 days

• Full Course of Study Undergraduate: 12 credit hoursMaster’s: 6 credit hoursDoctoral: 1 class

• On-line classes – only one per term towards your program of study

Maintaining Legal Status

• Employment – only authorized employment

• Prior Approval– Reduced Course Load– Dropping/Withdrawing – Change of Major/Program– Off-Campus Employment

• I-20 – valid and properly endorsed (although the I-20 states you should have a valid signature no older than a year, more and more ports-of-entry are requiring a signature no older than 6 months)

• Taking less than a full course load• Not enrolling• Not checking into OISS after coming

to Nova Southeastern University• Withdrawing or dropping classes

without authorization• Taking only online classes• Letting your I-20 expire before you

complete your program.

How does a student fall out of status?

• Taking more online classes than allowed• Enrolling in programs that are only

offered online• Changing residence and not reporting

the address change to the OISS within 10 days

• Working without authorization

How does a student fall out of status?

More on maintaining legal status…

• Employment – only authorized employment

• Prior Approval– Reduced Course Load– Dropping/Withdrawing – Change of Major/Program– Off-Campus Employment

• I-20 – valid and properly endorsed (although the I-20 states you should have a valid signature no older than a year, more and more ports-of-entry are requiring a signature no older than 6 months)

Non-Payment

Bursars Hold

Termination of Status for “Failure to Enroll”!!!!

Cannot Register

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU…

WHAT IF I FALL OUT OF STATUS?

Apply for reinstatement.

Leave and re-enter the country with a new I-20.

Or, you can…

You can…

Travelling while on a student visa (to student’s home country)

Needed documents:

• a valid I-20• a valid visa (except students from

Canada or Bermuda)• a passport which is valid 6 months into

the future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

Travelling while on a student visa (to a country other than

home country)

Needed documents:• a valid I-20• a valid visa (except students from Canada

or Bermuda)• a passport which is valid 6 months into the

future from the date the student intends to re-enter the USA

• Important: Check with the Embassy of that country for any additional visa requirements

• Never destroy your “old” immigration documents. You may need them in the future.

• Always keep copies of your important documents.

Information to remember….

• ALWAYS check your Nova email account. The OISS uses this address to communicate with students.

Information to remember….

• Your responsibility as an international student is to know the regulations that keep you in F-1 status. If you fall out of status, the OISS may not always contact you.

Information to remember….

• Never act on “information” from friends, relatives, or the grapevine. Always check with OISS if you are unsure about a course of action.

Information to remember….

Can an international student work while in the USA?

An international student with an F1 visa can only work ON CAMPUS for a maximum of 20 hours (part-time) while school is in session and 37.5 hours (full time) during approved vacations and breaks.

What about OFF-CAMPUS employment?

• CPT Curricular Practical Training

• Economic hardship

• OPT Optional Practical Training

• Make appointments with the OISS for OPT or CPT employment applications (at least 90 days prior to your last day of class for OPT—or, as a general rule, at the start of your final term)

Information to remember….

• Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and valid before you travel internationally.

Information to remember….

Port of Entry

• Remember that your experiences at the port-of-entry will vary depending on the city, port-of-entry representative, world events, and time of day.

Documentation

• If you forget your documentation or your documentation is not up-to-date, do not use a tourist visa for re-entry. If you do that, your status as an F-1 student will be terminated.

Seeking Advice

• Academic advisors or counselors may not always know international procedures. Always check with the OISS if you feel unsure of any information you’ve been told.

Academic Performance

Poor academic performance or behavior have direct implications on your immigration status. Your I-20 is IMMEDIATELY terminated should you be SUSPENDED or DISMISSED from your program of studies for academic or other reasonsShould you be dismissed or suspended from your program, you must leave the country immediately.

I-20 Duration

Your I-20’s program’s end date should not expire prior to completing your coursework or you will fall out of status. I f you will not complete your studies before this date, please contact our office for instructions on how to extend this time.

Emergency?

If you must return home due to an emergency, please contact the OISS as there may be options to keep your status active during your absence.

After Completion

If you complete your program and do not apply for OPT you have 60 days in which to

1- Transfer to another university2- Begin a new program at NSU3- Depart the United States

PAYMENT INFORMATION

• When you register for your courses, the NSU automated system will create an E-bill, which will be sent via e-mail to your NSU e-mail account.

• This e-mail contains information on the amount you owe, the form of payment, and the terms of payment.

• You will be able to make payments using our automated system which you will find within the Sharklink area. Please keep in mind that payments must be made within 30 days of the beginning of the semester. If you pay after that, your account will have a “Bursar’s hold” until you make a payment, and there will also be a “late payment fee” of $100 if payment is made after the deadline.

OIA Contact information

Website: http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/

Email:intl@nova.edu

Phone:954-262-7240 (24/7!)

Skype:nsu.international