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STEP 2a: International Student (F1) Mandatory Immigration Advisement Session Fall 2013
In addition to providing immigration advisement services, the IESC also coordinates cultural and social events so that international students can share their national heritage with the campus educational community.
A New Student Orientation Program is provided before the semester begins to assist international students in adjusting to the campus environment and American customs.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8445
Website:
Location:
www.csun.edu/international
University Student Union (USU), Building C
Click here for a campus map.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
(Students may pick-up and drop-off documents during these hours. Please call ahead to check on the status of your request.)
Evaluates admission applications Admits international students Helps with transcript evaluation Issues CSUNs Form I-20 (once student is formally admitted)
Academic Advisors
Your academic advisor is NOT located in the IESC. Click here for your academic advisors contact information.
Provide immigration advice. Review academic information to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Review and approve employment authorization: on-campus and off-campus. Process requests for letters, travel signatures, etc. Provide referrals to other services on campus.
Reminder: Always consult your FSA regarding immigration regulations during our walk-in advising hours, by phone or via email.
Student Assistants
Facilitate student requests and walk in inquiries Confirms the status of your request (i.e. Are your documents ready for pick up?)
All international students are REQUIRED to have the following documents while they are studying at CSUN:
VALID PASSPORT VALID FORM I-20 ISSUED BY CSUN F1 VISA OR VISA STAMP I-94 (STAMPED F-1 D/S) PROOF OF ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE
PASSPORT
Maintain a valid passport at all times.
Renew your passport at least six months prior to the expiration date. Your passport can be renewed within the United States at your countrys consulate office or embassy. (Please contact your countrys consulate office for instructions on how to renew your passport.) Submit a copy of the passport ID and expiration page to IESC.
Smith Joe
Form I-20
An I-20 is the official immigration document that is issued to the student once s/he has been formally admitted to a university. Student must have an I-20 from the school they wish to attend for the F1 visa interview. Student may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date that is printed on ITEM #5 of I-20. Student must enter the U.S. by the program start date printed on ITEM #5 of the I-20. Student must have a valid I-20 at all times when studying in the U.S. as an F1 student. The I-20 expires on the date student complete his/her studies. This cannot be extended once s/he has graduated. If your I-20 gets lost, stolen or damaged, you must request a replacement I-20 by filling out the Request for New I-20 form.
F1 Visa
A visa is a stamp or sticker that is placed in your passport at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. Students need a valid F1 visa to enter the United States.
You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa, as long as you have a valid I-20 and you are otherwise maintaining your F1 status. If you travel outside the U.S., you must make sure that your F1 visa is valid for your entry or re-entry to the U.S.
Smith
Joe
F1 Visa Renewal
An expired visa must be renewed at a U.S. consulate/embassy outside of the U.S. prior to re-entry.
Students who plan to travel outside the U.S. and need to renew their F-1 visa must do the following: Schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country. Check with the U.S. Embassy in home country for list of required documents and processing times. Request IESC for a travel signature on page 3 of their most current Form I-20. Students are responsible for paying all required fees associated with the F1 visa renewal procedure.
Student must surrender this card whenever s/he departs the U.S.
Please write your name on the I-94 card as it appears on your F1 visa.
For more information about the new Automated Form I-94 process, please visit the Customs and Border Patrol website.
IMPORTANT: You must enter the U.S. by August 19, 2013. Please plan your trip accordingly.
For information on what to expect upon your arrival to a U.S. Port of Entry, click here.
Medical attention is quite costly in the U.S. To prevent major medical expenses, CSUN requires all international students to have health insurance coverage while studying at CSUN. All international students will have a "Foreign" registration hold at the beginning of every registration appointment as a reminder to submit proof of health insurance to IESC for review. Students may purchase CSUNs health insurance at www.csuhealthlink.com
Please submit your proof of immunization to the Klotz Student Health Center (SHC) as soon as possible.
NOTE: Students will be unable to register for classes for their second semester at CSUN until each immunization requirement is met. Login to the web portal to check the status of the immunization hold in the middle of your first semester at CSUN. Contact the SHC for more information on services, costs and availability.
What is SEVIS? How to Maintain Your F1 Status Travel/Re-entry to U.S. Working in the U.S.
WHAT IS SEVIS?
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
SEVIS is an online database that allows United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to track all international students. IESC communicates with immigration through SEVIS.
Full-Course of Study
To be in compliance with F1 immigration regulations and the university polices, F1 students must enroll in full-time units every semester. Please refer to chart below. PROGRAM LEVEL MINIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS NEEDED EACH SEMESTER
Bachelors degree
2nd Bachelors degree Masters degree Doctorate
12
12 8 6*
*DEPENDS ON SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
Students who fail to enroll in full-time units by the last add/drop date of each semester will fall out of status and will need to apply for the reinstatement of their immigration status through USCIS.
REGISTRATION APPOINTMENTS
Each academic term has three registration periods: Registration-by-Appointment Period By appointment only, eligible students may access SOLAR to add, drop or swap classes; change the grading basis of a class; and confirm their schedule. Registration in repeated courses is not permitted at this time.
Nonrestrictive Registration Period Students may access SOLAR to add, drop and swap classes; change the grading basis of a class; and review or confirm schedule. No appointment is necessary. Registration in repeated courses is permitted beginning with the date published at Repeat Policy.
Late Registration/Schedule Adjustment Period Late Registration and Schedule Adjustment begins with the first weekday of classes. You may add and swap classes online with permission numbers only, drop classes and change the basis of grading. Registration in repeated courses is permitted with a permission number. To learn more, see Add and Drop Classes.
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
To be determined
CONTACT INFORMATION
cobaessc@csun.edu (818) 677-3537 cobaessc@csun.edu (818) 677-3537 reza.sayed.28@csun.edu (818) 677-4558 Elizabeth.Rigos@csun.edu Larry.arbino@csun.edu (818)677-2024 (818) 677-2883 http://www.csun.edu/~sch_educ/ (818) 677-5116
To be determined
Larry Arbino
HUMANITIES
SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Marvin Villanueva
Dorna Basiratmand
Graduate level students (Masters Degree) should contact their advisors of their major department for guidance on their program and course requirements.
*WARNING*
STUDENTS WILL BE DISENROLLED FOR NON-PAYMENT IF FEES ARE NOT PAID BY THE POSTED PAYMENT DEADLINE.
Additional Resources
Academic Calendar
Semester Bulletin How to Guides for Students
PROGRAM LEVEL Bachelors Degree 2nd Bachelors Degree Masters Degree Doctorate
Required Exams
ELM/EPT Exams The CSU requires all students to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) after admission and prior to enrollment in classes at CSUN. Please click here for additional information on the ELM/EPT exams.
The Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) The UDWPE is a graduation requirement for ALL students. Undergraduate students- university policy requires that you take the UDWPE no later than the semester in which you complete 75 units. If you do not take the exam by this deadline, you will have a hold placed on future registration for classes. Graduate students- usually required to pass the UDWPE in order to achieve Classified status. Please click here for more information on the UDWPE.
Concurrent Enrollment
Definition: Taking a class(es) at another school in the U.S. while enrolled for classes at CSUN for fall and/or spring semesters. SEVIS record (I-20) remains at CSUN.
Students may take classes concurrently at another school provided: They are enrolled in a minimum of 6 units (undergraduate) or 4 units (graduate) at CSUN; The combined units will add up to a full-time course load each semester; They submit a completed Concurrent Enrollment Request form; Students submit proof of enrollment from the school where concurrent enrollment is permitted within ONE WEEK of receiving the concurrent enrollment letter. Students are responsible for: clarifying transfer requirements with academic departments; making sure that the classes they take at other institutions do not exceed the permitted number of transferrable units to CSUN; getting permission from financial sponsorif sponsored by home countrys government/embassy.
Please note: Summer and winter intersessions are considered optional sessions; therefore, continuing students may be permitted to take classes concurrently during winter and summer sessions and are not required to be enrolled at CSUN.
Online Courses
F1 students are permitted to enroll in one online class (equivalent to 3 units) per semester to count towards their full-time requirement. Please register for classes accordingly. For example: An undergraduate student can enroll in 9 units of in-class courses, and 3 units of an online course and still maintain his full-time status. Note: If you have only one class left to graduate, this class must be an in-class traditional course to be in compliance with legal guidelines governing your F-1 status.
Leave of Absence
Under certain circumstances, students can request a semester off during their program. This is called a Leave of absence. Students must meet with a FSA to discuss their situation and options. They are required to submit a completed Request for Leave of Absence form along with supporting documents.
A student can request up to 2 semesters of a leave of absence; however, a leave of absence will be approved for one semester at a time.
Students who need to request a leave of absence for personal reasons may not remain in the U.S. in F-1 status. The I-20 for a student who will remain outside the U.S. will be terminated. A new I-20 may be issued for the semester in which the student will resume studies. Students who do not resume studies after two semesters will need to reapply to the university.
Please click on this link to update your U.S. address and your emergency contact information: http://www.csun.edu/anr/soc/guides/personalinfo.html
TRAVELING
Travel Signature
Students should request a travel signature on their CSUN I-20 from the IESC before they leave the U.S. Travel signatures are granted to students who are eligible to continue in their program upon their return to the U.S. Each travel signature is valid for one year provided the student continues to maintain legal immigration status. Students who need to travel during the semester will need to notify all of their professors to inform them of their absences. Students are responsible for making arrangements with their professors for any missed assignments/exams.
Please check this website for any country specific travel warnings: http://travel.state.gov
EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
WORKING IN THE U.S.--LEGALLY
On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment is a benefit of an F-1 student. Employment is not guaranteed. International students are permitted to work on-campus: Part-Time (up to 20 hours per week) for spring and fall semesters Full- Time (20+ hours per week) during summer and winter breaks The Verification of International Student Status form must be endorsed by the IESC and submitted to the Office of Human Resources on campus. You may start working AFTER employment authorization documents have been submitted to HR. Social Security Number: Students need to apply for a Social Security Number in order to get paid from their employer. If you need a Social Security Number, you must apply for one at a Social Security Administration Office.
Off-campus Employment
F-1 students are non-immigrants; therefore, they are not eligible for Financial Aid. Sometimes students may experience severe financial hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. For example, the financial sponsor may become seriously ill, retire from employment, a natural disaster may impact the student's home country, etc. Eligible F-1 students may request a recommendation for Off-Campus employment authorization from the International and Exchange Student Center (IESC).
Students must submit an official application to USCIS for work authorization.
If approved, international students are permitted to work off-campus: 20 hours per week or less when school is in session. 40 hours per week during summer and winter breaks.
You may start working AFTER you receive your employment authorization document.
PRACTICAL TRAINING
Practical Training for F-1 students is intended to provide hands-on practical work experience that is complementary to their academic program. There are 2 types of practical training:
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
CHECK YOUR EMAIL: Forward your CSUN email to your regular email account so you dont need to check two email in-boxes!
If you have problems setting up your CSUN email account, please contact the CSUN IT Help Center.
Third Party Consent IESC respects your privacy and will not share your personal, academic or immigration information to anyone without prior written consent from you. If you are unable to get in contact with an FSA or pick up documents from IESC, you may authorize friends or family members (third party) to act on your behalf. You must give permission in writing to IESC by completing the Third Party Consent Form.
If you are ill, injured or have an urgent medical need, you may walk in to the Klotz Student Health Center without an appointment.
Services: -Basic -Alternative Immunizations -Lab, X-Ray & Pharmacy -Sexual & Reproductive Health -Specialists & Specialties -Campus & Community -Health Promotion/ Education
Services Offered: Individual Counseling Group Counseling Psychiatric Consultation Urgent Care Assistance
For information visit http://www.csun.edu/counseling/services/
Parking Information
STUDENT SEMESTER PARKING PERMIT: $ 180.00 YOU MUST PURCHASE ONLINE!
MyNorthridge Portal Student Tab My Financial Obligations Parking Permits Purchase Parking Permits Online
CSUN Tram
Tram Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 5:30 pm . Signs will be posted at the designated tram stops announcing service interruptions. Tram Stop locations are: Tram stop #1: west of UPA #4 Tram stop #2: south side F8 parking lot by UPA #9 Tram Stop #3: east of the soccer fields by the restrooms Tram Stop #4: South of Redwood Hall A bus continues the service during the hours of darkness Monday - Thursday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The bus stops locations are located as follows: Parking Lot F10 Same as tram stop #1: west of UPA #4 Same as tram Stop #4: South of Redwood Hall
For Emergencies, dial 9-1-1 From Mobile Phones, dial 818-677-2111 For 24 hour Police Dispatch, dial 818-677-2111
Main campus location: Corner of Darby Avenue & Prairie Street. Main police headquarters are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Substation is located in the G7 parking lot, south of UPA 14 in the housing complex.
Receptionist: 818-677-2266 Parking: 818-677-2157 Crime Prevention & Community Relations: 818-677-7922 Administration: 818-677-2201 "We Tip" Hotline: 818-677-TIPS (8477) Dial the last four digits if using a campus phone.
The Matador Patrol's primary mission is to provide the university community with nighttime personal safety escorts during the fall and spring academic sessions, Monday through Thursday - from dusk until 11:00pm. To request this valuable personal safety service, please call (818) 677-5042 or (818) 677-5048.
S.T.O.P.
Incidents of computer theft, particularly laptops, are frequent on college campuses nationwide. (S.T.O.P.Security Tracking of Office Property) for computer equipment and other electronic valuables such as cameras, PDA's (personal desktop assistants), projectors, iPods, etc. THE FACTS: 97% of them are never recovered, according to the FBI. Data stored on the devices-financial data, personal documents, student records, etc - is critical. The equipment itself - notebooks, Blackberry's, PDA's, iPods, cell phones-are expensive. The S.T.O.P. (Security Tracking of Office Property) program incorporates a security plate and warning label which are applied to the equipment being protected. This highly visible warning label and security plate (registered with S.T.O.P headquarters) warns would-be thieves by clearly marking the property ("Warning Police Identifiable") - making it difficult to resell the item. If the security plate is tampered with, a chemically bonded "tattoo" stating "Stolen Property, Call 800-488STOP" will be left behind on the surface of the property underneath the S.T.O.P security plate. Cost: $10. Contact daniel.foster@csun.edu
IESC does not require ANY fees for the services it provides to international students. No fees, under any circumstances, shall be submitted to IESC. Ask questions. Do not assume anything.
Obtain clear information on all issues so that you do not make any mistakes.
This is the end of STEP 2a: Online Immigration Advisement Session for International Students.
Please return to the Main MOODLE page and click on the STEP 2b Link-International Student Immigration Advisement Quiz.