Monday, March 2, 2015

Journal #2 International Student Regulations

There are multiple steps that a student must complete to become eligible to study within the United Sates. They must complete a Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) which is an online application that requires a non-refundable fee. Due to U.S. security concerns, some male applicants, ages 16-54, may need to provide additional information on their applications by completing a DS-157 form (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and must be submitted at the same time as DS-160. The role of immigration form DS-157 is to determine visa eligibility and classification. Applicants can file Form DS-157 at the U.S. embassy or consulate where they are applying for their nonimmigrant visa. They must have a valid passport for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond their intended period of stay in the United States. They need to include a photo with the following requirements: in color, taken within the last six months to reflect their current appearance, taken in front of a plain white or off-white background, taken in full-face view directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open, and wearing clothing that they normally wear on a daily basis.
After an international student is accepted to study in the United States, they receive the status of an F-1 student. The F-1 visa is issued for students attending an academic program or English Language Program at a U.S. college or university. F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the U.S. up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program, unless they have applied and been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program. In order to qualify, applicants need to satisfy and prove several strict criteria during an F-1 visa interview, including the following: they must have a foreign residence and intend to return there upon the completion of their studies, have a sponsoring institution where the student may only study at the academic institution through which the visa was granted, demonstrate sufficient financial support and must demonstrate that they have strong ties to their home country. Strong ties are defined as a job offer letter upon completion of studies, assets (i.e., house, land, vehicle, etc.), bank accounts, and/or family.
Each international student is required to obtain an I-20 form for studying at Alfred State. The I-20 form is an identification document that provides proof of academics, legal status, and includes the date on which the student is expected to complete the degree program. This form can be shown to employers if they apply for on/off-campus employment, to the Department of Motor Vehicles if they apply for a driver's license, and to the Social Security Office when they apply for a Social Security number. The student is required to obtain an I-94 card (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival and Departure Form), a passport and student Visa. Failure to not complete any of forms could result in deportation due to U.S. government regulations.
SUNY regulations include that a student must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester and successfully complete each class. They are permitted to take only one online class per semester, are not allowed to work off-campus, and they must remain in good financial standing at all times. The International Student Service Office will not endorse any INS (International Student) paperwork if the student’s account balance is not zero. If they are living on campus, they are expected to pay room and board fees upon arrival and if they live off-campus, an off-campus waiver must be completed each academic year. If they plan on traveling outside the U.S. the I-20 must be signed by Tricia Herritt is the Coordinator of International Student Services and study abroad.


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