WELCOME International Student Orientation International Services Office Provides

WELCOME! International Student Orientation

International Services Office § Provides advisory services to Southeastern International Students, scholars, and professors regarding their educational, financial, and immigration concerns § The foreign student advisor acts as an advocate for the individual on any questions with USCIS. § The ISO is the only Southeastern office authorized to sign US government documents such as I-20’s and DS-2019’s.

How can we help you? § § § Visas Passports I-20/DS-2019’s Taxes Health Insurance Employment on and off campus § Departure and re-entry into the US § Transfer to/from other schools to/from SLU § Reinstatement of Student Immigration Status § Documents for dependents of International Students § Change of Program Level

Terms § I-94: Small white card stapled to your passport. 11 digit number on card is the admission number. If the card is lost, you must apply for a replacement. § Duration of Status: (D/S) The period during which the student is pursuing a full course of study in one educational program § Visa: Required for entrance into the US. Can expire while someone is within the boundaries of the United States.

Terms § I-20: Issued by foreign student advisor for student on F 1 visa. Notes program of study and duration of status. § DS-2019: Issued by foreign student advisor for students on J 1 exchange student/scholar visa. § Passport: Issued by country of citizenship. Must stay valid at all times. § SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is a web accessible database used by the Department of Homeland Security to collect, track, and monitor information regarding exchange visitors and international students on the F or J visas.

Rules and Requirements § Enroll Full Time -Undergraduate F 1 and J 1 students shall carry at least 12 credit hours per semester. -Graduate F 1 and J 1 students shall carry at least 9 credit hours per semester -Summer is considered as an optional semester. It is not required for you to enroll during this term. § For exceptions, consult the ISO

Rules and Requirements § On-Campus Employment. F 1 and J 1 students may accept on campus employment only. Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and 40 hours per week during holidays, vacations, and semester breaks. § For exceptions, consult ISO. § Working off campus without prior USCIS approval is a violation of status!

Rules and Requirements § Travel Inside U. S. -always carry a valid passport, the I-20/DS-2019, I-94 card, and ID card. § Travel Outside U. S. -have current I-20/DS-2019 validated for travel by ISO -ensure visa and passport are up to date (if visa has expired, you will need to apply for new one at the embassy) § Change of Address -you must contact the ISO if your US address changes

Student Employment § F 1 and J 1 students are allowed to work on campus only. § State and Federal student positions-determined by student status. International students can only be state student workers. § To look for on campus employment, a student must use the Student Employment Network on the web site: www. selu. edu/studentemployment § Once you find employment, obtain a packet from the Work Study Office in the Financial Aid building on North Campus. You will also need to contact the ISO for a work permit by emailing a request to international@selu. edu.

Taxes § International Students and Scholars must pay state and federal taxes if employed on campus or if receiving a scholarship that is considered earned income. § Tax determinations are complex and do not always follow the categories of immigration law. § Most F 1 and J 1 students are considered “non-residents for tax purposes” during their first five years of presence in the US. § Federal and state tax laws are different. Your status or benefits received at the federal level will have no effect on your state tax.

Taxes § The International Services Office at Southeastern works with the Controller’s Office to ensure that both the international student and the school is in compliance with the IRS. § International tax workshops are provided to the students each year before the filing deadline to ensure properly filed forms are sent to the IRS and the state. § The filing deadline for federal taxes is April 15 of every year. The deadline for state filing is May 15. § Keep all tax forms that are mailed to you throughout the year from the school. (W 2, 1098 T, etc. ) You will need them for the filing deadline.

Tax Treaties § In certain instances, you may be exempt from paying some or all federal taxes because of a tax treaty between the US and your home country. § Federal tax treaties have no effect on state tax laws. § Time limits, amount of exemption, and nonimmigrant status determine your benefits.

Tax Treaties § How to claim treaty benefits: -consult IRS Publication 901 to see if your country has a tax treaty with the U. S. -complete form 8233 -complete certifying statement -complete W 7 if you do not have a social security number or ITIN § Forms must be submitted to the International Services Office no later than September 1. § For questions or concerns, please consult the ISO. § www. irs. gov § www. revenue. louisiana. gov

Health Insurance § All international students on the F 1 and J 1 visa are required by law to be covered. § Southeastern endorses a Student Insurance Plan issued by Student Assurance Services. § All F 1 and J 1 students are automatically enrolled in the Southeastern endorsed plan. § If you have your own health insurance, proof must be provided BEFORE the first day of class each semester. The Southeastern plan is waived only if alternate health insurance coverage is approved by the ISO. Submit the Health Insurance Waiver Form and proof of coverage to request the waiver.

Health Insurance § If you do not enroll for summer courses, you will not be charged for health insurance and therefore will not be covered. You must contact the ISO by May 30 of each year if you wish to be covered for the summer term. § Expect some out of pocket expenses § $100 deductible § Refer to brochure and website for FAQ’s

Social Security Number § An SSN is a 9 digit employee tax identification number issued by the Social Security Administration to those who qualify on the basis of lawful status and legal employment. § Used by employers and employees for the purpose of reporting individual employee earnings for tax purposes only. § Often used for a variety of unofficial purposes such as opening telephone, utility, or bank/credit card accounts. § If you are not eligible for an SSN, and you face difficulty opening an account, please speak to the ISO for other vendor options.

Social Security Number § Who is eligible? -F 1/J 1 students who have secured valid on campus employment, an assistantship, or USCIS pre-approved off campus employment. -you must be in the US for 10 days before you may apply § What is valid on campus employment? -an on campus job that requires you to work part time throughout the semester

Social Security Number § How to apply? Bring the following to the Social Security Administration Office: 1. Application (Form SS-5) available online at www. ssa. gov. 2. Letter from ISO confirming your immigration status and employment eligibility. Please request by emailing international@selu. edu 3. Letter from department confirming on campus employment (must also be shown to ISO) 4. Immigration Documents: valid passport, I-94 card, I 20/DS-2019.

Social Security Number § Processing times for SSN applications is normally 3 -5 weeks. The card will be mailed to you. § Be wary of identity theft! Protect your SSN at all times. § The Social Security Office is located at: 2100 Robin Ave Hammond, LA 70403 Ph: 985/345 -0335 National Toll Free: 1 -800 -772 -1213

LA Driver’s License/ID § Anyone driving in the United States must be in possession of a valid driver’s license from the state in which they are currently residing. § If you will not be driving a vehicle, you may still obtain a LA ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to Apply for a Driver’s License § Obtain SSN card or letter from SSA stating ineligibility for SSN. § Bring valid passport, I-94 card, I-20/DS-2019 § Bring approximately $30 in CASH. § Most recent Southeastern fee bill and student ID § Take a car with proper ownership documentation (registration and proof of car insurance) § A study guide is available for the written test prior to examination in the DMV office.

How to Apply for a LA ID § Obtain SSN or letter from SSA stating ineligibility for SSN § Bring I-20/DS-2019, valid passport, I-94 card § Most recent Southeastern fee bill and student ID card § $30 in CASH

Department of Motor Vehicles § The DMV is located at 1320 N. Morrison Blvd. Hammond, LA 70403 Ph: 985/543 -4127 Monday-Friday 8: 00 AM to 4: 00 PM

Opening a Bank Account § Request letter from the ISO by submitting the Reference Letter for Banking form found on ISO web site. § Bring the letter from the ISO, your passport, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 to the bank and follow their procedures for opening an account.

Questions? International Services Office 7: 30 - 5: 00 Mon-Thur 7: 30 - 12: 30 Friday Ph: 985/549 -2360 Fax: 985/549 -5882 Email: international@selu. edu Website: www. selu. edu/admin/international/index. html