1. 24-MONTH STEM EXTENSION TUTORIAL Effective May 10, 2016 International Student & Scholar Services Center for International Studies

2. Definition of STEM Extension STEM Extension an additional 24 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) granted to certain government designated STEM-degree holders in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

3. Eligibility for STEM Extension A student can apply for a STEM Extension if: The student is currently participating in post-completion OPT, or in an authorized period of 17-month STEM Extension with at least 150 days remaining before the end of the student’s 17-month OPT end date (on or after October 7, 2016). The student is currently working for a U.S. employer in a paid job (at least 20 hours per week) directly related to the student’s major area of study. The student must have successfully completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a field on the STEM Designated Degree Program List from an accredited, SEVP-certified, U.S. institution of higher education, or must have completed all course requirements but still completing his or her thesis, dissertation, starred paper, or capstone. The student’s employer must be registered with the E-Verify employment verification system and have an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN). Under certain circumstances, a student may use a prior STEM degree from a currently accredited SEVP-certified school. To do so, the student must: Have received their most recent degree (which does not need to be a STEM Designated Degree Program) from an SEVP-certified school that is currently accredited. Have received their prior, qualifying STEM degree (at the bachelor’s level or higher) within 10 years preceding the date of application for the STEM OPT extension with USCIS.

4. A student CANNOT apply for a STEM Extension if: The student's post-completion OPT period has expired. The student has not completed all degree requirements necessary for degree conferral. The student has already received a STEM Extension of any duration at the same level of which the student is now wanting to apply. A student must earn a second qualifying degree for application for their second STEM Extension. The student has exceeded 90 days of unemployment during their post-completion OPT period. Eligibility for STEM Extension

5. Application Documents STEM Extension Request Form I-983 Training Plan Original, signed Form I-765Form I-765 Form G-1145 (recommended) Form G-1145 Official Transcript Copies of current and all previous forms I-20 (pages 1 & 3) Two (2) U.S. style passport style photos (for information on passport style photos click here)click here Write your I-94 card number on the back Photos must be taken within 30 days of filing your application Please submit the photos in the envelope/folder from where they were taken Please submit the receipt of purchase (if possible) I-94 Information Screen (retrieve here)retrieve here COLOR copy of valid passport (biographical and extension pages) Application fee: $380 (cost subject to change without notice) Money order is recommended, but you may use a personal check. Make payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” COLOR copies of all previous Employment Authorization Documents (front and back) Letter from your employer The letter must include the following: Employer's name as listed in E-Verify Employer's E-Verify company identification number Explanation of job responsibilities/duties Pay Location of the company Part-time or Full-time

7. Form I-983 Training Plan Instructions for filling out Form I-983: ItemImportant Information Student email addressEnter your personal email address Name of school where STEM Degree was earned Enter St. Cloud State University However, if the STEM application is based on a degree program from a previous SEVIS- certified, accredited school, enter that school name here. SEVIS School Code of school recommending STEM OPT SCSU Main Campus = SPM214F00271000 SCSU Twin Cities Campus = SPM214F00271001 Designated School Official (DSO)This will be completed by CIS upon submission Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code This can be found on the 1 st page on your I-20 under “Program of Study” or under #5 on the old I-20. CIP code is in this form XX.XXXX Level/Type of Qualifying DegreeUndergraduate, Graduate, or Doctoral Date AwardedThis is the date that your degree was conferred (see your official transcript) Employment Authorization NumberThis is the “A” number on your OPT EAD card. Section 3 and Section 4These sections are to be completed by the student’s employer Section 5This section is to be completed by the student and the employer Section 6This section is to be completed by the student’s employer Evaluation on Student ProgressThis section is to be completed by the student and employer at the student’s 12 month date of the STEM Extension Final Evaluation on Student ProgressThis section is to be completed by the student and employer at the student’s 24 month date of the STEM Extension

8. Do not write anything here. Sign in blue ink Make sure this box is checked. Use YOUR address Be sure to enter (C) (3) (C). Enter the degree level, employer name, and E-Verify number

10. Drop-Off Procedures In order to apply for OPT, the student must submit the following to the Center for International Studies: STEM Extension Request Form I-983 Training Plan Original, signed Form I-765Form I-765 USCIS uses special scanners to read forms submitted during immigration application processes. Handwritten forms often result in errors as these scanners are not able to read them accurately. In order to reduce the occurrence of errors, which may result delays in processing and adjudication of your STEM Extension Application we now require that you download form I-765, type in the required information, print out the form, and sign using blue ink. Please note that the scanners will not read information that is greyed out, highlighted, or corrected using correction fluid or tape. Form G-1145 (recommended) Form G-1145 USCIS uses special scanners to read forms submitted during immigration application processes. Handwritten forms often result in errors as these scanners are not able to read them accurately. In order to reduce the occurrence of errors, which may result delays in processing and adjudication of your STEM Extension Application we now require that you download form G-1145, type in the required information, and print out the form. Please note that the scanners will not read information that is greyed out, highlighted, or corrected using correction fluid or tape. Official Transcript Letter from your employer The letter must include the following: Employer's name as listed in E-Verify Employer's E-Verify company identification number Explanation of job responsibilities/duties Pay Location of the company Part-time or Full-time

11. Next Steps An advisor at the Center for International Studies will: Review the requested forms Request the STEM Extension in SEVIS and issue a new I-20 Email the student to notify them that their I-20 has been issued and that the student should gather the rest of the application items for delivery to USCIS

12. U. S. Department of Homeland Security Payment Information Requirements May be a personal check, money order or bank check ($380.00) If you are using a friend’s check, write your name and I-94 number on the check in the "memo/for" section. Sign the front of the check only, not the back. Sign Name Here $380.00 Three hundred eighty dollars and 00/100 Date

13. Photographs Requirements Must be taken within past 30 days Cannot be same photo as in passport, visa, or current EAD card White background Must be U.S. passport size, not your home country passport size Write your name & I-94 number on the back of each photo in pencil Well-Composed Photos:

14. Mailing your OPT Application The student must sign (in blue ink) their new I-20 (keep the original and make a copy to submit to USCIS) The student is responsible for mailing their own application packet to USCIS: For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) USCIS P.O. Box 21281 Phoenix, AZ 85036 For Express mail and courier service deliveries: USCIS Attn: AOS 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 850 The student must file their application within 60 days from when the DSO signed the I-20.

15. USCIS Authorization The student will receive a receipt notice within 2-3 weeks; status of the application may be tracked online at www.uscis.gov by entering the student’s receipt numberwww.uscis.gov Applications are adjudicated by USCIS within 3-4 months (current processing times)current processing times If the student receives a Request for Evidence (RFE), the student may ask CIS for guidance in submitting the additional required documentation If the student’s STEM Extension is approved, the student will be issued a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If the student files a timely STEM Extension Application, the student may continue working while the STEM Extension Application is pending, for up to 180 days beyond the student’s OPT end date. All work during this time will count as part of the STEM Extension. If the student’s STEM Extension is still pending after 90 days or the STEM Extension has been approved but the student hasn’t received the new EAD card the student must contact USCIS directly for more information.

16. Maintaining Status While on STEM Extension Unemployment: Students unemployed for 150 days in aggregate (OPT and STEM) are no longer in valid F-1 status and must depart the U.S. immediately Reporting: The student must submit a new Form I-983 Training Plan to CIS within 10 days of working for a new employer The student must report to CIS if employment ends (provide a letter from the employer stating termination of employment) Every 12 months the student must submit a new Form I-983 Training Plan to CIS (once at 12 months and another at 24 months) Travel outside the U.S.: Students may travel outside of the U.S. while authorized for a STEM Extension, however, they must be able to provide the following: Valid passport (at least 6 months in advance) Valid F-1 student visa Recently signed I-20 (must be signed within 6 months while on STEM Extension) Valid EAD card End of STEM Extension: Students who maintain status during OPT and STEM with all reporting requirements and avoiding accrual or 150 unemployment days have a 60 grace period after the end date listed on their EAD card.

17. While on STEM Extension, notify CIS… If you change your address, name, or email (within 10 days) If you plan to transfer to another degree program level or another institution If you plan to leave the country and plan not to return If you change your immigration status (i.e. to H-1B).

18. STEM Reporting At 6, 12, and 18-month intervals students must validate that all information is correct and up-to-date. https://www5.stcloudstate.edu/internationalstudies/opt/ **If you do not report your STEM Employment, the days will count towards your total of 150 days of unemployment. Once SEVIS counts 150 days, your SEVIS record will be automatically TERMINATED and you will be required to leave the U.S. immediately.**

19. Important Points to Remember Students must allow 5 full business days after submission of a complete application for the Center for International Studies to process their request. A student may file their STEM Extension packet up to 90 days before their post-completion OPT end date. However, the application packet must be sent to USCIS within 60 days from when CIS issues the new I-20. A student’s graduation from St. Cloud State University must be conferred in order to submit an application packet to USCIS or the student must provide a letter from his or her academic advisor explaining why the student’s degree has not yet been conferred. A student’s application packet must be received by USCIS before the their post-completion OPT end date. While the student’s STEM Extension application is pending, the student’s post-completion OPT is automatically extended until the STEM Extension is approved or for 180 days, whichever is earlier. Any change in name, address, employer, or employment status is required to be reported to CISs within 10 days. The student must validate their STEM Employment to CIS at 6, 12, and 18-month intervals. Failure to do so will result in automatic SEVIS termination. Student’s are allowed a maximum of 150 days of employment (OPT and STEM Extension).

20. QUESTIONS? For questions please contact the Center for International Studies: St. Cloud State University Lawrence Hall, Room 101 St. Cloud, MN 56301 http://www.stcloudstate.edu/internationalstudies/contact.aspx 320-308-4287